Hyundai Ioniq hybrid introduced in Malaysia

The Hyundai Ioniq hybrid has been officially launched by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) at 1Utama Shopping Centre on 29^th Nov 2016. With bookings opened more than 2 weeks ago, the new Hyundai Ioniq is a direct rival to Toyota’s tree-hugging Prius.

So, we directly jump to let you know what is the Hyundai Ioniq all about.

Priced from RM99,800, the locally-assembled car is also benefitted from the government incentives for CKD Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs). Designed for buyers who want a car with advanced technologies, great performance and stylish design, the Ioniq went on sale in the UK last month, and Malaysia is also the first country outside South Korea to assemble the hybrid car.

The new Hyundai Ioniq is available in 2 trims, HEV and HEV Plus and comes in 7 shades; Phantom Black, Aurora Silver, Polar White, Marina Blue, Platinum Silver, Iron Grey and Pheonix Orange (HEV Plus only).

Exterior

Hyundai has managed to be pretty innovative with the Ioniq, as indicated by its eco-efficient artistry on its exterior construction. The car gets purposeful design features such as unique wheel design, C-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) that are integrated with wheel air curtains and integrated rear spoiler, all contributing to 0.24 drag coefficient.

In addition, there’s also active front grille with blades that open or close depending on whether it needs cooling or reducing drag. Overall, the Ioniq boasts a streamlined exterior profiling for utmost efficiency. While the HEV is equipped with black glossy grille with projector headlights, the HEV Plus can be distinguished by its chrome grille and HID Bi-Xenon headlights unit.

Interior

Under the skin, the Ioniq features ‘Purified High-Tech’ concept, capturing smooth, elegant and clutter-free dashboard design, giving a simple, clean but spacious impression. The steering is a leather-wrapped D-cut (flat-bottomed), mounted with multi-function control buttons.

Being a green car, some of the interior panels are sourced from lightweight, recyclable materials. There’s recycled plastic for its interior door covers, sugar cane extracts for the headlining and carpet, powdered wood, volcanic stone and eco-friendly soybean oil-sourced paint to produce metallic finishes on some components.

The Ioniq gets sound deadening elements to minimise NVH level; noise-cancelling windscreen glass, thicker window glass, in-dash insulation to reduce engine noise, damping in floor panel as well as enhanced A- and B-pillar fillings.

Driver’s seat in the HEV variant is manually-operated and the one in HEV Plus is electrically-powered with 8-way adjustability. As for the instrument cluster, a 4.2-inch TFT LCD Supervision Cluster will provide the relevant information to the driver in HEV, while the same task is provided by a 7-inch High Definition TFT LCD Digital Cluster in the HEV Plus. The HEV Plus will also get you Wireless Charging System for smartphones, which is pretty cool.

Powertrain

The Hyundai Ioniq is propelled by a marriage of a 1.6-litre direct injection engine and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The former produces 104 hp at 5,700 rpm and 147 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm with world’s highest thermal efficiency at 40%, Hyundai claimed. The electric motor on the other hand is a 32kW (45hp) generator, powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery (better maximum output than a Ni-MH nickel-metal-hydride batteries). This gives a combined output of 139 hp and 265 Nm at disposal.

Transmission is a 6-speed dual clutch automatic. Its rival – the Prius – is fitted with a CVT unit. Available with Sport and Eco modes, it alters the transmission behaviour, holding longer to lower gear in Sport mode while upshifting earlier in Eco mode for maximum efficiency.

The Ioniq is able to run on electric power alone at speed of up to 120km/h. Fuel consumption rating is at a lowly 3.4 L/100km (in the UK).

Chassis

The bone of the Ioniq receives a number of weight-saving approaches including aluminium bonnet and tailgate (-12.4kg), lightweight front suspension parts (-10kg), rear lower arms (-7.14kg) and a cargo cover that is around 25% lighter compared to other Hyundai models.

While the steering is tuned for precise response and feedback, according to Hyundai, the multi-link rear suspension with dual lower arms, however, are engineered for improved ride comfort.

In conjunction with the launch of the new Ioniq, HDSM is also introducing the Care Plus Programme consisting of these 5 elements:

• 5-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty of vehicle
• 8-year unlimited mileage warranty for the battery and a battery price of below RM10,000 for the following 8-years (replacement)
• 3-year or 60,000km (whichever comes first) of free service that includes parts, labour and engine oil.
• 3-years Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) Insurance
• Interest rate as low as 2.28% based on the reducing balance calculation

For more information on the new Ioniq, Malaysian customer can call HSDM Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000 or visit official site of Hyundai Malaysia

Specifications of the Hyundai Ioniq

Engine: 1.6-litre Kappa GDI 4-cylinder, direct injected

Transmission: Dry-type Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

Power: 139 hp (104 hp + 45 hp from electric motor)

Torque: 265 Nm (147 Nm + 170 Nm from electric motor)

Safety: 7-airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, Hill-Start Assist Control, ESC, Vehicle Stability Management, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Keeping Assist System

Price: HEV: RM100,328; HEV Plus: RM110,828