Aussie car blogs are buzzing with news about Hyundai's new Ioniq 5. The Korean carmaker's upcoming electric SUV has been spotted around Sydney recently, not too long after details about its powertrain were leaked online.
The yet-to-be-released car has plenty of impressive traits, all of which we’ll get to a little later in this article. What keeps us wired up, though, is how much of a role Australia has played in that car’s development and that not many people know about it.
Ioniq 5: Aussie-tuned Since the Conceptual Stage
When we say that Australia has been part of the Ioniq 5 story, we’re not just talking about how the car was spotted at a charging station in Bathurst, NSW, though. According to reliable sources, this Hyundai model has received Australian input since even further back.
From the moment the Ioniq 5 emerged as a concept, Hyundai Motor Company Australia, or 'HMCA', has been directly involved in its planning. So, it's safe to say that Hyundai's Aussie side has been engaged in the Ioniq 5 project since Day one.
Though the specifics of that input aren’t explicit, one thing’s for sure. Through the HMCA, there are plenty of Australia’s fingerprints on Ioniq 5’s chassis tune.
Development Stages that Make Ioniq 5 Perfect for the Australian Terrain
1. Suspension Tuning For Rough Roads
There’s no shortage of chatter about the so-called Aussie-tuned Ioniq 5. However, what people are probably referring to is the car’s suspension tuning. It seems that Hyundai is relying on local engineers to tune the EV for rough roads, and they’re using Australia’s topography to do so.
All of that tuning isn’t just for the benefit of the Australian market, by the way. Even though there’s no indication of a special ‘Aussie-tuned Ioniq 5’ per se, Hyundai will be using whatever input it gets from Australia to improve suspension tuning for Ioniq 5 models worldwide.
2. Aussie Summer Testing
Still, the timing of these Ioniq 5 sightings doesn’t seem to be a coincidence. There’s reason to believe that Hyundai may be using the summer months around this time of the year to test their new SUV under hot weather conditions.
I think we can all agree that there's no better place to do hot weather testing than under Australia's summer climate.
All About the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq 5
With all of that said, let’s discuss what we know about the Ioniq EV SUV so far. The car is an all-electric, midsize crossover SUV set to come out sometime in 2021, with the entire vehicle being the first to be built on Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (or ‘E-GMP’).
Design
Aesthetically, the Ioniq 5 is said to break away from Hyundai’s existing design language with its cutting-edge futuristic style. Aerodynamic 20-inch wheels form the base, while the front-end will feature a clamshell-style bonnet. The design will feature sharp-looking front and taillights that rely on a so-called ‘parametric pixel’ design, while also using eco-friendly Colour Material Finish (CMF).
Still, it seems that we’ll only get to see the final designs when the car is fully-revealed in February 2021.
Size
In terms of size, you can expect the Ioniq 5 to be 4.6 meters in length and just under 1.9 meters in width. That’s certainly not the most spacious layout on the market. Still, it’s enough to keep a family comfy throughout the ride.
As far as accessories are concerned, the Ioniq 5 is said to come with a solar roof while also carrying camera-based side-view mirrors.
Performance
Now, let’s talk about performance. The leaked information mentioned earlier points to the Ioniq 5 having 550 kilometres in range while carrying a 73 kWh battery. Supposedly, it has a total output of 230 kW of power, and its two motors are said to go from zero to 100 in about 5.2 seconds.
Charging
Using a fast charger, you will probably be able to charge the Ioniq 5 up to 80% in 18 minutes. Based on Hyundai’s teaser content, the Ioniq 5 may be able to rely on a standard household electrical outlet. However, there’s not much clarity about that right now.
When is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 coming out?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is set for release somewhere in early 2021 after a full unveiling in February. However, it will only arrive in Australia sometime next year. Until then, though, you may be able to spot the Ioniq 5 being tested on Australian streets. If you plan on doing some car-spotting, you’ll probably have a good chance of finding the Ioniq 5 at EV charging locations around Sydney where they’ve been spotted in the past.
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By Ray Hasbollah