Hyundai shows off Ioniq 6 retro streamliner

Wednesday, 29 June 2022

The Ioniq 6 is coming as a swoopy, retro Model 3 competitor.

Hyundai has revealed the Ioniq 6, a curvy, retro sedan coming as the production version of the Prophecy concept.

Described as an “electrified streamliner,” the Ioniq 6 was designed to be as aerodynamic as possible while keeping the interior as spacious as possible. Sounds like an exercise in futility but Hyundai seems to have cracked it.

The 6 has a drag coefficient of 0.21, which is up there with the slipperiest of cars, like the Mercedes-Benz EQS, Tesla Model S, and Lucid Air. It also gets a double-spoiler rear end that doesn’t look entirely dissimilar to a 964-generation Porsche 911, and a sloping shoulder line that reminds of the mid-2000s Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The rear of the Ioniq 6 looks a bit like an old Porsche 911 mixed with an old Mercedes CLS.

Up front is a squared, angular lower grille with headlights featuring strips of Hyundai’s Parametric Pixel lights in each cluster as DRLs. More pixel lights are found in the rear lights, air vents and centre console. Cameras instead of side mirrors will be optionally available as well.

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The interior is as future-retro as the exterior, and nicely sustainable.

* Road test review: Hyundai Ioniq 5

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The last piece of the puzzle is the powertrain, which should be detailed next month.

* Hyundai goes full-retro with Grandeur EV resto-mod

Inside is a “cocoon-shaped” cabin, which features similar styling to the Ioniq 5 SUV, and uses sustainable materials in its construction.

Depending on the trim level, these include eco-process leather seats, recycled plastics (PET) in the fabric seats, bio-TPO (thermoplastic olefin) skin in the dashboard, bio-PET fabric headliner, bio paint derived from vegetable oils on the doors, and recycled fishing net carpet – the latter is a first for the Ioniq brand.

The modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and 12-inch digital cluster. A bridge-type centre console provides convenient and generous in-car storage.

Strangely, there’s no talk of the Universal Island sliding console from the Ioniq 5.

Hyundai doesn’t mention specifics, but the interior has “optimised legroom and spaciousness that lets passengers stay comfortable in the vehicle.”

The Ioniq 6 will debut in the metal in July, when Hyundai will reveal the full specifications of the car, including power outputs and battery range.

That’s also when, hopefully, it will confirm if the car will be coming to New Zealand as a swoopy Tesla Model 3 competitor.