The Hyundai IONIQ 6 takes design to a new dimension.
The IONIQ 5 was Hyundai Motor Company’s first attempt at an electric vehicle built on the e-GMP platform. Now with a bit of experience under their belt, they’ve come up with another IONIQ-branded model called the IONIQ 6. While the IONIQ 5 was a retro-inspired take based on the 45 Concept they showed in 2019, the IONIQ 6 is a more futuristic looking vehicle based on the sleek silhouette of the Prophecy Concept from early 2020.
The aerodynamic form adopted is described by Hyundai designers as Emotional Efficiency and the company also describes the IONIQ 6 as an ‘Electrified Streamliner’. It’s so smooth that the drag coefficient is just 0.21 Cd! Even underneath the car, work has been done to optimise aerodynamics to an extreme. They even reduced the wheel arch gaps.
While no details on the IONIQ 6’s powertrain were shared, it’s likely that it will not be dissimilar to the IONIQ 5 in terms of battery and motor packaging as it will sit on the same chassis. It may have better performance and range thanks to its slippery design. The reveal of the IONIQ 6 was mostly centred on the car’s exterior and interior design.
The interior is defined by the very large 12″ infotainment display and the accompanying 12″ digital instrument cluster display. Virtual side view mirrors were shown, but we’ll have to see if this will make it in the production version for every market.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Hyundai Motor Company today revealed the streamlined and timeless design of the highly anticipated IONIQ 6, the second model in its IONIQ dedicated all-electric-vehicle lineup brand. IONIQ 6, which Hyundai describes as an Electrified Streamliner, is aerodynamically sculpted and makes innovative use of sustainable materials to reflect today’s EV customers’ values.
Inspired by Hyundai’s Prophecy EV Concept, IONIQ 6 is characterized by clean, simple lines and a pure aerodynamic form that Hyundai designers describe as Emotional Efficiency. IONIQ 6’s electrified streamliner typology and mindful cocoon-like interior embody a silhouette for the new era of electric mobility, while the overall design theme of Ethical Uniqueness reflects Hyundai’s customer-centric commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
IONIQ 6’s human-centric design is both ethical and unique
IONIQ 6 demonstrates ethical and unique design through energy efficiency and sustainable material usage. IONIQ 6 design was human-centric from the start, with the interior space developed simultaneously with the exterior form. Efforts were made to maximize and optimize the interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior.
Like the award-winning IONIQ 5 before it, IONIQ 6 implements the Hyundai Look design strategy that gives each model a unique appearance, like chess pieces. By taking a customer-centric direction, Hyundai designs with diverse lifestyles in mind rather than with a one-style-fits-all approach.
Single-curved streamliner with sleek yet functional aesthetics
IONIQ 6 is an electrified streamliner that realizes the idea of Emotional Efficiency by simultaneously satisfying the customer’s aesthetic and functional needs. The aerodynamically sculpted silhouette with simple yet sensuous curves offers a new typology for the EV mobility era.
IONIQ 6 has an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21, assisted by its low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and optional slim digital side mirrors[2]. Further aiding IONIQ 6’s enviable aerodynamic aptitude is its elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. Even underneath the car, the endeavor to achieve better aerodynamics is evident in the full cover of the undercarriage, optimized deflectors and reduced wheel-arch gap.
IONIQ 6 also integrates over 700 Parametric Pixels in various places, such as headlamps, rear combination lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes and center console indicator, to reinforce the IONIQ brand’s identity throughout the vehicle.
The rear wing’s Parametric Pixel High-Mounted Stop Lamp (HMSL) delivers an eye-catching light execution when the brakes are applied. To further highlight IONIQ 6’s uniqueness, the newly designed Hyundai ‘H’ badge is applied on the front and rear of the vehicle.
Cocoon-inspired interior accommodates a mindful personal space on wheels
IONIQ 6’s cocoon-shaped interior serves as both a comfortable hideaway and personal space, replete with practical features and sustainable materials to facilitate a mindful, eco-friendly mobility experience and lifestyle.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) enabled the designers to stretch the interior, front and rear, to create optimized legroom and spaciousness that lets passengers stay comfortable in the vehicle. The Platform also allows for a completely flat floor, giving expansive feeling.
The user-centric interior architecture is exemplified by an ergonomically designed control unit that is centrally located to reduce distraction and spur safe, intuitive driving. The modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and 12-inch digital cluster. A bridge-type center console provides convenient and generous in-car storage.
Dual Color Ambient Lighting provides overall illumination for IONIQ 6 interior. Users can choose from a spectrum of 64 colors and six dual color themes developed by color experts to help drivers and passengers feel relaxed and comfortable. The 4-dot Interactive Pixel Lights on the steering wheel enable easy communication between the driver and vehicle.
The removal of buttons from the front doors provided more breathing room and more storage. Transparent accents on the crash pad garnish, door map pocket and console lower cover further accentuate the sense of spaciousness and uniqueness.
Eco-friendly materials applied to various touchpoints for sustainability
In line with IONIQ 6’s Ethical Uniqueness theme and inspired by today’s eco-conscious consumers, the designers applied sustainable materials to the exterior, including recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tires to the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint to the body.
IONIQ 6’s interior is also trimmed in sustainable materials and colors. Depending on the trim level, these include eco-process leather (seats), recycled PET fabric (seats), bio TPO skin (dashboard), bio PET fabric (headliner), bio paint derived from vegetable oils (doors), and recycled fishing net carpet — the latter is a first for the IONIQ brand.
