“Electrified streamliner:” Hyundai lifts veil on Ioniq 6 electric car

Following days of drip-fed teases on its social media platform, South Korean automaker Hyundai has finally fully unveiled the design of its next battery electric vehicle, the Ioniq 6.

Hyundai has been teasing images of its upcoming Ioniq 6 on its social media channels since last week when it posted a concept sketch of the “Electrified Streamliner” – Hyundai’s new “design typology” for the electric mobility era.

At the time, Hyundai promised that it would be posting additional teaser images and over the past six days the company has given us a design preview in the form of six cropped photos with lofty design verbs such as “Unique Individuality” and “Emotional Efficiency”.

Finally, however, Hyundai on Wednesday unveiled the full design of the Ioniq 6 with its streamlined curve into a rear-end that is somewhat reminiscent of the Porsche Taycan.

“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 personalized place for all.”

This is a design unveiling, so any specifics about what will be powering the Ioniq 6 will have to wait.

Reportedly, however, the Ioniq 6 is set to be built on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), just like its predecessor the Ioniq 5, and will reportedly offer up to 230kW of power with 515 kilometres of range thanks to a 77.5kWh lithium-ion battery.

Expected to measure in at 4855mm long, 1495mm tall, and 1880mm wide, and with a 2950mm wheelbase, the Ioniq 6 final reveal has been delayed by months in what is believed to be an effort to extend the range in the car.

Inspired by Hyundai’s Prophecy EV Concept – which the company unveiled in early 2020 – Hyundai described in its press release Wednesday some of the Ioniq 6 design cues, saying the vehicle’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.”

As with all such design announcements, there is little actual detail about the car and a lot more to do with burrowing through a design or marketing thesaurus.

Hyundai did reveal, though, that the sleek and streamlined design of the Ioniq 6 has an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21 and its aerodynamics are further assisted by a low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and optional slim digital side mirrors.

The car’s aerodynamic profile is further enhanced by an elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, a slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. Aerodynamics were even in view when designing the bottom of the car, with a full cover for the undercarriage and reduced wheel-arch gap.

The Ioniq 6 also integrated over 700 Parametric Pixels throughout the vehicle such as in the headlamps, rear combination lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes, and centre console indicator. Meanwhile, the rear wing’s Parametric Pixel High-Mounted Stop Lamp will be particularly effective for those trundling along in the Ioniq 6’s wake.

The interior of the Ioniq 6 has also been inspired by eco-conscious consumers with sustainable materials applied throughout, eco-process leather and recycled PET fabric in the seats, bio PET fabric and TPO skin up front, and recycled fishing net carpet.

All in all, while we might still be waiting for confirmed specifications for what will be powering the Ioniq 6, we do know that it’s a beautiful car.