Coming in the second half of the year, the Ioniq 5 is Hyundai's new electric crossover. Ultra-fast charging, innovations, eco-friendly materials… Designers and engineers walk us through it in a video.
The electric car market – as anticipated – is rapidly gaining new models. The latest arrival is the Ioniq 5, the new compact electric crossover from Hyundai, just unveiled in its world premiere. Measuring 4.63 metres in length and described by the manufacturer as "sustainable and innovative", it has been built on a new platform designed to accommodate the future electric range of the Hyundai group (which also includes Kia), featuring – among other things – a flat floor that ensures more space and freedom of movement inside the cabin. Noteworthy is the "circular" approach, with seats and numerous interior trim components made from PET bottles – polyethylene terephthalate – plant-based yarns and natural wool, eco-leather obtained from plant extracts, and bio-based paints. The Ioniq 5 can also be equipped with a solar panel roof that charges the battery. Rich in innovative features, the Ioniq 5 recalls the angular lines of the 1970s and 1980s, like the Pony, one of the first Hyundai models to go on sale in Italy 45 years ago. Hyundai's designers and engineers reveal every detail of the new electric crossover in the press preview video.
Coming to market in the second half of the year, the Ioniq 5 is available with two battery pack options — 58 kWh or 72.6 kWh — and two electric drivetrain configurations: a single rear motor, or both front and rear motors for the all-wheel drive (AWD) version, which is better suited to low-grip surfaces and is the most powerful, with 225 kW of power. The maximum range declared by the manufacturer is approximately 470 kilometres, though final figures are not yet available. The price has also yet to be confirmed, and is expected to be around 45,000 euros.
The Ioniq 5 is compatible with 400 V and 800 V charging infrastructure. This means that using a 350 kW charger, it is possible to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes, while just 5 minutes are enough to obtain 100 kilometres of range. These are high-speed charging systems that are unfortunately still not widely available in Italy, but which Hyundai itself, thanks to its agreement with Ionity, is working to roll out; Q8 and Enel X have also announced the installation of ultrafast charging stations at 20 Q8 service areas by the end of 2021. Among the innovative features of the Ioniq 5 is also the ability to charge electric scooters and bicycles on board, kept in the boot ready to use for getting around city centres with ease: up to 3.6 kW of power delivered.
Among the equipment offered by the new electric model, the Highway Driving Assist 2 is particularly useful on motorways where, thanks to cameras, radar sensors and navigation data, the Ioniq 5 can automatically adjust both speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, while keeping the car centred in its lane. Advanced collision-avoidance systems are also included, capable of detecting pedestrians or cyclists, monitoring traffic at junctions and automatically activating steering intervention in the event of a collision risk. Also on the safety front, the Dynamic Voice Recognition system helps avoid distractions by allowing the driver to control the air conditioning, radio and weather forecast updates by voice command while on the move, as well as opening the tailgate or heating the steering wheel and seats.
Beyond its goal of offering an ever-wider range of electric cars (the launch of the Ioniq 5 will shortly be followed by a new electric saloon and a large electric SUV), Hyundai is among the manufacturers — alongside Toyota and Honda — that believe most strongly in hydrogen as a key element of the transition to zero emissions (the Nexo SUV is available in Italy). With more than 20 years of experience, the Korean group recently introduced "HTWO", a new brand dedicated to its commitment to developing next-generation fuel cell systems. Hyundai is also a steering member of the Hydrogen Council, a global coalition of leading companies in the energy, transport and industry sectors that are investing in hydrogen as a central element of the energy transition.