The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq has been designed exclusively to take on the Toyota Prius, and Hyundai plans on leaving no stones unturned in their effort to take on the big boy in the hybrid car market. Hyundai plans on launching a hybrid variant of the Ioniq, along with a battery-powered variant. Although, they are currently focused on the hybrid only.
The official images of the five-door hybrid hatchback have been revealed while numerous other details are expected to surface shortly. Judging by the first look of the vehicle, the Ioniq is a standard five-door hatchback and resembles the initial renders closely.
Much like the exterior, the interior has no hidden surprises for us, which is astonishing since the experts believed that Hyundai would make a greater effort at securing its place on the top of the charts.
Hyundai has made a few progressive changes to the chassis, which is 54% tensile steel while some of the suspension components, hood and tailgate are composed of aluminum. The Ioniq also shares its underpinnings with the 2017 Elantra.
Hyundai has designed the platform to be frugal, easy and fun to drive, which is a key function if the Ioniq is to beat the Prius at its own game. In terms of comfort, Hyundai plans on leaving no stone unturned, and as a result, the Ioniq uses a multi-link suspension at the rear.
The center of gravity has been lowered while the weight has been reduced from the upper portion of the vehicle. Hyundai wanted the Ioniq to be as lightweight as possible and this was possible thanks to the extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminum.
The vehicle features a multi-link suspension at the rear section while focusing on weight-saving measures. In terms of powertrain specifications, the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq draws power from a four-cylinder 1.6-liter, direct fuel-injected petrol engine, which works together with an electric motor while storing the recovered energy in a lithium-ion polymer battery.
This setup displaces 139 BHP along with 195 ft-lb of torque, which transfer energy to the front wheels via a six-speed transmission system. Hyundai has also installed a few driving modes to enhance the general feel behind the wheel.
For example, in Sport mode, the vehicle holds on to gears for long, hence, lending a maximum gain in performance. Hyundai has also approached a more systematic manner in designing the Ioniq while Toyota has taken the haphazard route while coming up with the Prius. Hence, the Ioniq is easier on the eyes.
Hyundai has come up with the name Ioniq by combining the terms Ion and Unique. The vehicle is supposed to be three cars in one, a hybrid, an EV and a plug-in hybrid. The hybrid version of the vehicle is already on sale in Korea and returns a healthy 52.7 MPG.
Hyundai plans on selling around 30,000 units of the Ioniq around the globe this year and a phenomenal 77,000 units of the vehicle in 2017! We are yet to witness such a massive increase, and will keep you posted when that happens.
Even though the skeptics are worried about the average range of the vehicle, Hyundai seems to have reached their goal, at least on paper. However, challenging the best-selling electric vehicle around the world is easier said than done.
According to the experts, the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq is expected to return 57 MPG in the US, although, Hyundai is yet to officially confirm any of these figures as of yet. Hyundai has been praised numerous times for the sporty look and feel on the Ioniq, which is missing on the Prius.
Bring it on! Also the plug-in model to compete with Volt. We need to hear the EV range for the plug-in and then a real field test.
Bring it on! Also the plug-in model to compete with Volt. We need to hear the EV range for the plug-in and then a real field test.
“five-door hybrid hatchback” – it seems to be a sedan with a trunk.
“five-door hybrid hatchback” – it seems to be a sedan with a trunk.