Hyundai IONIQ 5: Setting high standards for electric cars | Auto Expo 2023
First model in Hyundai’s dedicated EV brand ‘IONIQ’, the Ioniq 5 sets new benchmarks for battery-electric cars (BEVs) with its robust battery-powertrain architecture and innovative features.
Hyundai’s presence at this year’s Auto Expo Motor Show is all about introducing the ‘IONIQ’ proposition to the Indian audience. The company has already opened bookings for the first model in the exclusive line – the Ioniq 5 – in the Indian market.
The name ‘Ioniq’ is a portmanteau of ‘ion’ and ‘unique’, referring to the ‘battery-electric’ proposition of the nameplate. Although the name was initially used in a compact fastback model launched in 2016 as hybrid and electric variants, Hyundai restructured the Ioniq nameplate as an exclusive sub-brand of BEVs last year.
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What makes the Ioniq 5 compact crossover unique is that it is built on Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) dedicatedly developed for electric cars. From styling aspects to engineering, the platform bears an overarching influence on the car and its performance, something wholly new for the Indian market.
Design and Styling
The electric car emanates an eccentric design inspired from Hyundai’s first production car ‘Pony’, combined with the brand’s latest ‘Parametric Dynamics’ design. It dons a daring attitude, thanks to the clamshell hood and pixelated headlamps with distinctive LED DRLs. Rear lights share a similar pixel-like LED clusters.
Clean surface and aero-optimised styling abound everywhere, even the large 20-inch pixel themed alloys are styled with utmost aero-efficiency in mind. The car’s interiors are innovatively crafted to sync the eccentricity of the exterior styling.
Hyundai designers have applied a ‘Living Space’ theme to the cabin in place of conventional car interiors. For instance, the ‘Universal Island’ moveable centre console and slim cockpit are creative and more practical. Intuitively designed touchpoints including steering wheel, door armrests and so on offer an opulent feel and cabin experience.
The E-GMP’s flat floor has enabled spacious legroom atypical of a car of this size and body type. Hyundai also claims that the interior trims are made of sustainably sourced materials, including recycled PET bottles and bio-paints with plant extracts.
Power Electrics
The Ioniq 5 packs a high-power 72.6 kWh battery pack that is compactly mounted between the front and rear wheel axles. An efficient Permanent magnet synchronous motor drives the rear wheels, generating a power output of 160 kW (217 ps) and 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) of torque.
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An integrated drive axle and multi-link suspension at the rear promises superior handling and ride quality. While ‘Smart regeneration’ technology automatically adjusts the energy regeneration according to the speed and distance of vehicle in front.
The car supports ultra-fast battery charging with 350 kW DC charger, bringing the battery SoC from 10-80 percent in just 18 minutes, according to the manufacturer. While 800V ultra-rapid and 400V rapid chargers can be also be used to reduce charging duration at public stations.
Smart and Safety features
Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes loaded with next-generation technologies such as ‘V2L’ (Vehicle-to-Load) function that can supply up to 3.6 kW of power from the car’s battery for other applications inside or outside the car.
Further, ADAS functions are aplenty as well. The ‘SmartSense’ uses a host of cameras and radars in front and back to detect and mitigate risks of collision, while also warning the driver and if necessary, automatically applying the brakes to offset an impact.
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Other key features include 6 airbags, Virtual engine sound system (VESS), Electric parking brake (EPB), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – Pedestrian (FCA-Ped), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), and so on.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 – Image Gallery
