Hyundai Motor America unveiled the Ioniq Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Electric models for the U.S. market at the New York Auto Show.
Ioniq models offer a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette with a class-leading 0.24 Cd derived from carefully designed surfaces. Its fluid exterior shape and smooth air flow channels emphasize aerodynamic body lines and design forms.
Developed for high energy efficiency without compromising driving performance, every Ioniq powertrain represents a unique and uncompromising solution towards a cleaner means of mobility.
The Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid both feature a new Kappa 1.6 direct-injected Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an unsurpassed thermal efficiency of 40 percent, delivering an estimated 104 horsepower and an estimated 109 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine has been specifically tailored to the hybrid application and is combined with a smooth shifting six-speed double-clutch transmission – differentiating Ioniq from its key competitors with a more dynamic and engaging driving experience. The high-efficiency electric motor has a pure electric driving mode and delivers instantaneous torque at low speeds, with available power-assist at higher vehicle speeds.
The Ioniq Hybrid’s electric motor delivers an estimated 32 kW (43 horsepower) with an estimated maximum torque of 125 lb.-ft., powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery with 1.56 kWh capacity. The battery is efficiently positioned under the rear passenger seats. In combination with the 1.6-liter direct-injected engine, Ioniq Hybrid offers an estimated total system output of 139 horsepower while providing low emissions, outstanding efficiency and range.
The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid provides an estimated all-electric range of more than 25 miles, powered by a potent 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. The Ioniq Plug-in’s estimated 45kW (60 horsepower) electric motor is coupled with the 1.6 direct-injected Atkinson four-cylinder Kappa engine.
The Ioniq Electric offers pure electric mobility with a 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery for an estimated driving range of 110 miles. The Electric motor has an estimated maximum output of 88 kW (120 horsepower) and 215 lb.-ft. of torque through a single-speed reduction gear transmission. The Ioniq Electric has an estimated 125 MPGe rating.
The Ioniq Hybrid and Plug-in both feature a six-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which boasts best-in-class transfer efficiency through the use of low-friction bearings and low-viscosity transmission oil, and is able to achieve a unique mix of driving performance and fuel efficiency.
Both the Ioniq Hybrid and the Plug-in use a dual-clutch transmission to engage the driver for a spirited and fun-to-drive character. This is an important differentiator from the majority of other Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid cars that use a Continuously Variable Transmission, which are often criticized as having ‘rubber band-like’ acceleration.
Enhancing the car’s fuel efficiency and dynamic driving characteristics, the driver can select either SPORT or ECO modes. The SPORT function holds lower gears longer and combines power from the engine and electric motor for maximum performance. In ECO mode, the DCT optimizes gear selection for efficiency, upshifting earlier to achieve class-leading fuel economy.
The powertrain components were designed to be compact and highly efficient. The combined extra weight of the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid technology therefore adds minimal weight to the Ioniq, but significantly increases its efficiency. Electric power for the Hybrid and the Plug-in, as well as for the Electric, is generated by a permanent magnet synchronous motor whose parts were optimized by reducing the thickness of core components by up to 10 percent and adopting rectangular-section copper wire to decrease core and copper loss. Hyundai uses a lithium-ion polymer battery pack for all Ioniq models which is 20 percent lighter than non-polymer lithium-ion batteries and can be shaped more optimally to the interior than standard cell format batteries. This also provides lower memory sensitivity, excellent charge and discharge efficiency, and outstanding maximum output.
Both efficient packaging and a low center of gravity were taken into consideration as the battery system is located underneath the rear seats so that the passenger cabin and cargo area is uncompromised in the Ioniq Hybrid, offering a total interior volume of an estimated 122.7 cubic feet (more than Toyota Prius). Even the Ioniq Plug-in and the Ioniq Electric, despite larger batteries, both offer a generous total interior volume of an estimated 119.2 cubic feet.
Charging the Ioniq Electric’s lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80 percent only takes about 20 minutes using a SAE Combo Level 3 DC, 100 kW fast-charger. An integrated In-Cable Control Box (ICCB) also allows drivers to charge their Ioniq at a standard household electric socket.
