Hyundai showcases IONIQ 6, electrified streamliner

Hyundai Motor Co. on Wednesday unveiled the design of the IONIQ 6, its first all-electric sedan on an exclusive EV platform, with which South Korea’s top automaker hopes to accelerate its expansion in the fast-growing global eco-friendly vehicle market.

Hyundai described the second model of its all-electric-vehicle IONIQ lineup as an ‘electrified streamliner’ that satisfies customers’ aesthetic and functional needs as the EV, inspired by its Prophecy concept, is aerodynamically sculpted.

The IONIQ 6 has an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21, assisted by its low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and optional slim digital side mirrors, Hyundai said in a statement.

Its cocoon-shaped interior serves as both a comfortable hideaway and personal space, according to Hyundai. The modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and a 12-inch digital cluster.

“IONIQ 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics,” said Lee Sang-yup, executive vice president and head of the Hyundai Design Center. “We have created the IONIQ 6 as a mindful cocoon that offers a personalized place for all."

Hyundai plans to unveil specifications such as the mileage of the IONIQ 6 at its world premiere during a motor show in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, which opens on July 15.

Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea’s third-largest conglomerate with two carmakers – Hyundai and Kia Corp – has been raising its shares in the global EV market. In the first quarter, the group ranked No. 2 in the US, the world’s third-largest EV market, after the industry giant Tesla Inc.

GENESIS TOPS 2022 J.D. POWER INITIAL QUALITY STUDY ON LUXURY CARS

Genesis was named the top premium brand in the J.D. Power 2022 US Initial Quality Study, an annual survey that measures new-car owner satisfaction based on the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) in the first 90 days of ownership. The brand and car with the lowest level of problems win in their respective categories.

The high-end brand of Hyundai topped the list with a PP100 score of 156, beating rival Lexus with 157 and Cadillac with 163. Genesis was ranked first in initial quality among premium brands from 2017 to 2020, and continued its strong performance in 2021, ranking second.

The result is expected to improve Genesis’s sales and brand image as J.D. Power’s analysis is one of the key indicators of an automaker’s quality competitiveness, industry sources said.

Genesis ranked No. 4 along with Kia on the list of brands overall, following Buick, Dodge and Chevrolet.

Write to Han-Shin Park at phs@hankyung.com
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.