The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 6 will launch globally in the second half of this year, with an Australian release date shortly afterwards, and thanks to a recent data leak, we now know a little more about this crucial Tesla Model 3 competitor.
A report by The Korean Car Blog suggests that while the Ioniq 6 will use the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5 midsize SUV and forthcoming Ioniq 7 large SUV, the sedan will offer 230kW of power and a 500-plus kilometre range from its 77.4kWh battery pack.
The Ioniq 6 was meant to be unveiled in March or April this year, though Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Eui-sun didn’t love the final design and requested some changes, which delayed the launch by three months.
This is the Hyundai Prophecy concept which gives an indication of how the Ioniq 6 will look
The ensuing alterations saw the Ioniq 6 grow 20mm in length, thanks to redesigned bumpers. Now measuring 4855mm long, 1880mm wide and standing just 1495mm tall, the Ioniq 6 is similar in size to a Hyundai Sonata and will compete in the midsize sedan segment as a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.
Much like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 may be one of the first Hyundai production cars to feature an illuminated ‘grille’.
How much power and range will the Ioniq 6 have?
Using the same 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack as the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a reported range of 515km according to the (fairly pessimistic) Korean protocol, with WLTP numbers potentially up to 550km.
Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 sedan will offer 800-volt ultra-rapid 350kW charging which should be able to go from 10-80 percent battery charge in 18 minutes.
The Ioniq 6 sedan is gearing up to offer more range than the Ioniq 5 SUV.
Reports suggest the Ioniq 6 will have a maximum of 230kW of power from a pair of electric motors, which is more than the Ioniq 5 dual-motor (225kW) but less than the Kia EV6 AWD (239kW) which uses the same E-GMP platform.
Presumably there will be several Ioniq 6 grades, with a rear-drive single motor offered at a more attainable price with similar power to the Ioniq 5 RWD (168kW).
Additionally, Hyundai could apply its N performance treatment to electric models. In GT guise, the Kia EV6 produces 430kW/740Nm, so dropping a similar powertrain into the Ioniq 6 sedan could give Hyundai a cut-price Porsche Taycan 4S rival.
How much will the Hyundai Ioniq 6 cost?
Given the Ioniq 6 will be using existing platforms and battery packs, it is unlikely to command too much of a premium over current Ioniq models. Expect the Ioniq 6 range to span roughly $70,000 to $85,000 in Australia.
A performance-oriented Ioniq 6 N will push closer to $100,000, but we’ll have to wait and find out.
Those who want a more luxurious EV from a Korean carmaker will be catered for by Genesis with its GV60 dedicated electric SUV, and Electrified GV70 midsize SUV.