Hyundai to debut IONIQ 6 in July to rival Tesla Model 3

Hyundai Motor Co. will unveil the much-anticipated IONIQ 6, its first all-electric sedan on an exclusive EV platform, in July, to compete with the likes of Tesla Inc.’s Model 3 and Model Y.

Hyundai, South Korea’s top automaker, will begin mass production of the latest model at its Asan plant, which last month underwent an overhaul to make IONIQ EVs instead of mid-size gasoline-powered Sonata sedans, according to industry sources on Monday.

The company originally planned to mass produce the IONIQ 6 in March, but delayed its launch for a significant redesign and longer mileage to appeal to young, trendy drivers.

According to Hyundai’s internal documents obtained by The Korea Economic Daily, the upcoming EV will have a 77.4 KWh battery, larger than the originally planned capacity of 72.6 KWh, meaning the IONIQ 6 can travel up to 515 km on a single charge.

The driving range is about 100 km longer than Hyundai’s previous EV model, the IONIQ 5.

Currently, only the Tesla Model 3 and a long-range version of the US EV maker’s Model Y boast over 500 km mileage among electric vehicles running in Korea.

The IONIQ 6’s body length will be 4,855 millimeters, 45 mm shorter than the Sonata. Its wheelbase is 2,950 mm, longer than the Grandeur sedan’s 2,885 mm, meaning the new car will have a larger inner space, according to Hyundai’s internal documents.

The IONIQ 6’s body width and height will be 1,880 mm and 1,495 mm, about 20 mm wider and 50 mm higher than the Sonata.

“The new EV will offer a more luxurious interior and additional tech features compared with Hyundai’s gas-powered Sonata sedan,” said an industry official.

The IONIQ 6 will be heavily inspired by the Hyundai Prophecy concept unveiled in 2022, which showed an aerodynamic shape with a simple curved silhouette.

But late last year, the upcoming EV went through a drastic redesign of its front and rear bumpers and lamps, according to the sources.

A HIGH-STAKES TEST

Industry watchers said one of Hyundai Motor’s top priorities this year will be a successful launch of the IONIQ 6 as its much-touted previous EV model, the IONIQ 5, didn’t appeal to Korean consumers as much as it hoped.

In February of 2021, Hyundai debuted the IONIQ 5, the first model under its standalone electric vehicle sub-brand IONIQ, amid intensifying competition among global automakers to go eco-friendly.

The IONIQ 5, a mid-size crossover utility vehicle, was Hyundai Motor Group’s first car mounted on its proprietary Electric-Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP, which will underpin all forthcoming electric vehicles from both Hyundai Motor and sister firm Kia Corp.

The IONIQ 6 will be followed by the IONIQ 7, a sport utility vehicle, which Hyundai plans to launch by 2024.

Write to Byung-Uk Do at dodo@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.