Slippery Tesla-rivalling Hyundai Ioniq 6 revealed ahead of 2023 Australian launch

The much-anticipated form of the streamlined Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan has been revealed as the next model in the brand’s EV portfolio.

Due on sale in Australia in early 2023, no doubt in small numbers and at a high price, the Tesla Model 3 rival had been previewed by the Prophecy EV concept and teased and hinted at umpteen times.

Overnight Hyundai has issued images of both the exterior and interior of the production car that appear to be digital representation rather than real cars in-the-metal.

Hyundai calls the 6’s flowing exterior shape ‘Emotional Efficiency’ and says it results in the lowest aerodynamic coefficient of drag (Cd) ever offered by the brand, a slippery 0.21 (by comparison, the Tesla Model 3 has a Cd of 0.23 and the just-arrived Mercedes-Benz EQS electric limousine 0.20). Intentionally, it bears little resemblance to the angular Ioniq 5.

Hyundai describes the interior as being mindful and cocoon-like.

The Ioniq 6 is the latest model to spring from Hyundai Group’s new E-GMP 800V electric vehicle architecture.

Its predecessors on E-GMP include the Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and the Genesis GV60 Expected to follow it into production in 2023 is the massive Ioniq 7 SUV previewed in concept form at the 2021 LA show.

“Ioniq 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center.

“The distinctive streamlined design is the result of close cooperation between engineers and designers, with obsessive attention to detail and customer-centric values at the core.

“We have created the Ioniq 6 as a mindful cocoon that offers personalised place for all.”

Much has been left unsaid by Hyundai about the Ioniq 6 including its powertrains. But its existing E-GMP brethren gives us a good idea of what to expect: rear and all-wheel drive, single and dual e-motor, lithium-ion battery pack capacities from about 58 to 78kWh in capacity and a range getting up around 500km. Recharging should be feasible at least up to 240kW of DC fast charging that the Ioniq 5 is capable of.

The 6’s excellent aerodynamic performance is aided by a low nose, active front air flaps and reduced wheel arch gaps. Optional slim digital side mirrors have also been developed.

Further aero contributions are made by an elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, a slight boat-tail structure, separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper, a covered undercarriage and optimised deflectors.

Exterior styling is embellished by more than 700 parametric pixels that light up headlights, taillights and the rear wing stop light. Inside they highlight air vents and the centre console indicator.

An updated Hyundai ‘H’ badge is applied front and rear.

Like the Ioniq 5, the 6 has a flat floor and maximised interior space. Two 12-inch digital screens for infotainment and instrumentation sit atop the dashboard. A bridge-type centre console sits between the front seats.

Ambient lighting provides 64 interior colour choices and six dual colour themes. Buttons have been removed from the front doors.  

Sustainable materials have been applied to the 6’s exterior and interior. Outside they include recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tires to the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint to the body.

Inside there is 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.