Hyundai officially joins the fleet of electric carmakers with the launch of its first model under the IONIQ electric sub-brand, the IONIQ 5. It is the company’s first car to be based on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The IONIQ 5 is designed to spearhead a renewed push into electrification for the Korean brand. Hyundai Motor Group has plans to introduce 23 BEV models and sell 1 million BEV units worldwide by 2025.
The US-spec electric crossover utility vehicle (e-CUV) will be available in six colour options. The South Korean automaker is offering a pre-reservation program for early purchasers that offers special benefits. So, let’s check out what all features Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 has on offer before you click that pre-booking button.
• The IONIQ 5 flaunts a futuristic yet classic European design with clean lines and minimalistic structures. The EV borrows its design from Hyundai’s 45 EV concept car displayed at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.
• The clamshell hood, Parametric Pixel dual-LED projector headlamps, V-shaped front bumper housing the daytime running lamps (DRLs), pop-out door handles, and a powered tailgate reflects its retro-inspired modern styling.
• The e-CUV’s perfected proportions has been completed by chromed mouldings, strong C-pillar shape and 20-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels.
• Customers can choose from six exterior shades, including five exclusive nature-inspired hues. The colour choices are Phantom Black (Pearl), Cyber Gray (Metallic), Atlas White (Solid), Digital Teal (Green Pearl), Lucid Blue (Pearl), Shooting Star (Gray Matte). The interior has three colour options Obsidian Black Monotone, Dark Pebble Gray/Dove Gray, Dark Teal/Dove Gray.
• The IONIQ 5 is underpinned by Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular platform (E-GMP) architecture which enables it to have unique proportions on an elongated wheelbase.
• The CUV is available with a range of drive motors to fit the needs of every customer. There’s a standard 77.4 kWh battery pack available that can be mated to two electric motor layouts, either with a rear motor only or with both front and rear motors.
• The top-of-the-line dual-motor setup is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option that produces a combined power output of 320 horsepower (74 kW front + 165 kW rear) and 446 ft.-lbs. of torque. An IONIQ 5 with this configuration can go from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 5 seconds.
• The single-motor layout with a rear motor offers 225 horsepower (168 kW) and 258 ft.-lbs. of torque and two-wheel-drive (2WD).
• When equipped with a single motor (2WD), IONIQ 5’s targeted maximum driving range on a single charge is 300 miles. The targeted range of the dual-motor all-wheel-drive SE & SEL models is 269. The top-of-the-line Limited AWD model has a targeted range of 244 miles.
• All configurations have a top speed of 115 MPH and can tow a trailer with a capacity of up to 1,500 pounds.
• Just like the European version, the US-spec IONIQ 5 supports both 400-V and 800-V charging infrastructures. The platform offers 800-V charging capability as standard, and can accommodate 400-V charging without the need for additional components or adapters. The multi-charging system is a world’s first patented technology that operates the motor and inverter to boost 400 V to 800 V for stable charging compatibility.
• The IONIQ 5 comes with a standard 10.9 kW onboard charger that completes a full charge in 6 hours and 43 minutes using Level 2 charging. However, with a 350-kW charger, the e-CUV can juice up from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. The 350-kW fast charger can add about 68 miles of range to the EV in only five minutes.
• Interestingly, the EV is flanked by charging ports on both sides, so no more worry to align it to the charging board on the correct side.
• More interesting news, Hyundai Motor America (HMA) recently collaborated with Electrify America to support its EV customers. And Electrify America today announced a new agreement with Hyundai to provide all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 drivers with two years of unlimited 30-minute complimentary charging sessions from the date of purchase at Electrify America’s network of over 600 charging stations.
• This announcement builds on an existing agreement between the two companies – announced earlier this year – to provide 250 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging on Electrify America’s network for owners of 2021 Kona Electric and IONIQ Electric models.
• Electrify America plans to have about 800 charging stations with more than 3,500 ultra-fast chargers either open or in development by the end of 2021. The South Korean automaker informed it will provide more details about the charging plan when the IONIQ 5 goes on sale in the fall.
• On the top of the electric car, there’s a beautiful single glass solar roof that collects energy and transfers it to the battery unit, providing an additional driving range. Hyundai has also equipped the EV with regenerative braking.
• Coming to the inside, the IONIQ 5 has a spacious cabin with advanced connectivity and driver assistance features that will offer the ultimate in-car experience. It gets heated front seats along with a heated steering wheel. The seats are also super flexible and the four-way electrically adjustable front seats can even fold almost flat.
• Hyundai claims its engineers reduced the thickness of the front seats by 30 percent, providing even more space for the second-row passengers. And just like the seats up front, the second-row seats also recline and slide to provide more legroom than a midsize SUV and additional headroom. The sliding second-row seats also provide additional luggage space when needed.
• The flat floor E-GMP architecture allows the central console to move front and back by up to 140mm. By doing so, rear-seat passengers can also benefit from fast wireless phone charging housed in the console.
• The Korean automaker affirmed to use sustainable materials throughout the cabin. The major touchpoints, such as seats and door armrests, are made out of recycled plastic bottles, wool or leather processed with vegetable oil. Polyurethane paint used on the doors is derived from vegetable oil, while some of the door trim panels are made of ‘paperette’, a recyclable material that feels a bit like paper.
• On the dashboard, there are two co-joined 12.0-inch screens for the driver’s display and infotainment console featuring Hyundai’s BlueLink connected-car tech. It also gets a head-up display with augmented reality (AR) support.
• The CUV has a Dynamic Voice Recognition system that conveniently controls cabin A/C, radio, hatch opening/closing, heated steering wheel, heated/cooled seats and other functions. The system can also assist with various points of interest (POI), weather status and stock market data updates.
• IONIQ 5 is the first Hyundai vehicle to offer over-the-air wireless updates for maps and multimedia software. The updates will be available twice a year in April and October.
• The interior is complemented with a premium eight speakers Bose sound system, strategically placed throughout the vehicle for a high-quality listening experience.
• The EV also packs in the much talked about Vehicle 2 Load pack (V2L), which allows for charging high-power electric equipment, consumer electronics or even another electric vehicle supplying power of up to 3.6 kW.
• For safety, IONIQ 5 is also equipped with the next level of Hyundai SmartSense, advanced driver assistance systems, ensuring the highest levels of safety and convenience on the road. The CUV is the first Hyundai model to offer Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2). Other driving assistance systems include Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), and more. The IONIC 5 also has seven airbags, auto-dimming rearview mirror and Safe Exit Exist with child lock.
“IONIQ 5 introduces the Hyundai brand to a whole new set of buyers,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Once behind the steering wheel, they are going to be shocked by the range, power, comfort, interior space and advanced technology. Owning one is going to be a new experience and lifestyle that only the IONIQ brand can provide.”
The South Korean automaker informed during the launch event that the introduction of IONIQ 5 is the first step in the company’s journey of dedicated electric vehicles, moving it closer to achieving its clean mobility goals. Following the launch of IONIQ 5, Hyundai will expand its BEV lineup with IONIQ 6, a midsize electric sedan, and IONIQ 7, a large electric SUV. Just like its sister brand KIA, Hyundai is using the number after the IONIQ designation to indicate the car’s position in the lineup which puts the IONIQ 5 somewhere in the middle of it.
Hyundai USA said, IONIQ 5 will initially be sold in its stores in the 10 zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) states plus Texas, Fla., Ill., Ga., NC, Pa, and Ariz. followed by a broader rollout in 2022. The brand further disclosed that they are looking at alternative ownership models to attract and engage first-time EV customers in the States. Under the scheme, those people will be targeted who are interested in trying EVs but want to do so in a convenient, low-risk subscription service model. As per Hyundai’s plan, in the future, its dealers will offer a simple automobile subscription service for IONIQ shoppers. This subscription service will feature a single, all-inclusive monthly payment, covering the vehicle, insurance and maintenance.
