Ioniq (stylized as IONIQ) is an automotive sub-brand and a division of Hyundai Motor Company with headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. The sub-brand was established in 2020 as a sub-brand for Hyundai's electric vehicle line-up.[1] The sub-brand is slated to aid Hyundai to achieve a targeted 1 million electric vehicle sales annually by 2025, with the Ioniq brand projected to contribute 560,000 of those sales.[2]

IONIQ (sub-brand)
Company typeDivision
IndustryAutomotive
Founded10 August 2020; 4 years ago (2020-08-10)
Headquarters,
ProductsElectric vehicles
ParentHyundai Motor Company
Website

History

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Before it was introduced as a sub-brand, the Ioniq name had been used for the 2012 Hyundai i-oniq concept, a small sporty hatchback that was equipped with a battery-electric drivetrain and a range-extending gasoline engine.[3][4] Between 2016 and 2022, the name was used for the Hyundai Ioniq, a compact liftback available with a choice of eco-friendly powertrains: gasoline hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full battery-electric;[5] the 2016 Ioniq was intended to compete with the Toyota Prius hybrid and Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicles.[6][7]

On 10 August 2020, the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group announced the launching of a new automotive brand called Ioniq (a portmanteau of "ion" and "unique", styled in all-capital letters as "IONIQ") in London, reserved for electric cars.[8][9] At the launch, the manufacturer revealed its plans to produce electric vehicles named 5, 6 and 7 and based on the Hyundai-Kia E-GMP common electric car platform presented at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.[10]

The first vehicle launched was the Ioniq 5, a crossover utility vehicle that was first sold in 2021. Hyundai is currently expanding its full-electric lineup to include the Ioniq 6, a sedan which will debut in Europe and South Korea in the second half of 2022, and the Ioniq 7 (currently Ioniq 9), a large sport-utility vehicle which is projected to hit the market in 2024.[11]

Models

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Model Class Released Concept Notes / Refs.
 
5
C-segment compact crossover SUV Feb 2021  
45 EV Concept[broken anchor]
Frankfurt 2019
Sibling vehicles marketed as Kia EV6[12] and Genesis GV60.[13]
 
6
D-segment mid-size sedan Jul 2022  
Prophecy
Geneva 2020
Production confirmed for 2022 in an investor presentation.[14]

 
9

E-segment Full-size crossover Nov 2024 Seven
Los Angeles 2021
Vehicle with three seating rows, approximately the same size as the Hyundai Palisade.[15] Sibling vehicles to be marketed as Kia EV9 and Genesis GV90.[16]

The Ioniq 5 compact crossover was released in February 2021 and was previewed by the Hyundai Concept 45 EV presented at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.[5][17]

The Ioniq 6 mid-size sedan will be produced from 2022 and is foreshadowed by the Hyundai Prophecy concept car, which was scheduled to be presented at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show but this was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]

The Ioniq 9 mid-size crossover will be produced from November 2024. Previously known as the Ioniq 7 during development, it is the production model of the Seven concept car, which made its debut at the LA Motor Show in November 2021.[19]

Design

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Close-up of Ioniq 5 tail lights, featuring "Parametric Pixel" design

Under its numeric nomenclature, even numbers are reserved for sedans, while odd numbers are reserved for crossovers.[20][21] As a unifying design concept, Hyundai has included "Parametric Pixel" external light designs on each vehicle; these are small square lighting elements which Hyundai characterize as "a unique jewel-like design",[22] reminiscent of 8-bit video game graphics.[15]

In 2022, Hyundai chief of design SangYup Lee clarified there were three "pillars" consistent across the Ioniq brand:[23]

  1. Living space-focused interior
  2. Parametric Pixel
  3. Sustainability and sustainable materials

Because the lineup is designed to embrace "diverse lifestyles ... rather than a one-size-fits-all approach", Lee noted that each model will follow a different theme. The E-GMP platform enables a flat floor inside, giving designers more freedom to personalize the interior for the intended use. For example, the Ioniq 6 has a "mindful cocoon" theme.[23]

Heritage Series

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Hyundai have exhibited several models in its Heritage Series, which are one-off electromod vintage Hyundai vehicles that have been restored and converted with an electric vehicle powertrain; the head- and tail-lights of Heritage Series models share the same "Parametric Pixel" design language as the Ioniq line. Technical details of the powertrains fitted to the Heritage Series vehicles were not disclosed.[24][25] The Pony Heritage was part of the "Reflections in Motion" exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Busan (April 8–27 June 2021) alongside the 45 EV and Prophecy concepts;[26][27] the pixelated lights of the Pony Heritage were animated, which Hyundai called the "Pixel Roadtrip".[28]

Hyundai Heritage Series models
Model Released Based on Notes / Refs.
 
Pony Heritage
Apr 2021  
Pony (1G), 1975
Exhibited at Hyundai Motorstudio Busan.[26]
 
Grandeur Heritage
Nov 2021  
Grandeur (1G), 1986
Exhibited at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang and Seoul.[29]

Galloper EV
Cancelled  
Galloper (1G), 1991

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jean-Baptiste Trichot (10 August 2020). "Ioniq devient la nouvelle marque 100 % électrique de Hyundai" [Ioniq becomes Hyundai's new all-electric brand] (in French). Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Hyundai reboots Ioniq as an EV brand, starting with Ioniq 5 crossover in fall 2021". Green Car Reports. 9 August 2020. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  3. ^ "2012 i-oniq". Hyundai Motor Corporation. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Hyundai unveils unique new concept car: i-oniq" (PDF) (Press release). Hyundai Motor Global P.R. Team. 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b Florent Ferrière (10 August 2020). "Hyundai : Ioniq devient une marque, premier modèle en 2021" [Hyundai: Ioniq becomes a brand, first model to debut in 2021] (in French). Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  6. ^ Voelcker, John (24 August 2015). "Hyundai to Launch All-Electric 'Prius Fighter' Model In 2016: Tip". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  7. ^ Edelstein, Stephen (4 November 2015). "Is Hyundai Ioniq The Name For New Hybrid, Electric Models? (UPDATED)". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  8. ^ "IONIQ Launch | IONIQ – Hyundai Worldwide". HYUNDAI MOTORS. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  9. ^ Lambert, Fred (10 August 2020). "Hyundai launches IONIQ as new EV brand, confirms 3 new electric cars". Electrek. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  10. ^ Beresford, Colin (10 August 2020). "Hyundai Announces Plans for Three EVs under New Ioniq Brand". Car and Driver. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Hyundai will build its first South Korean EV factory". Automotive News Europe. 12 July 2022.
  12. ^ Capparella, Joey (19 May 2021). "2022 Kia EV6 Coming to U.S. Next Year with Claimed 300 Miles of Range". Car and Driver. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  13. ^ Capparella, Joey (19 August 2021). "Genesis GV60 Revealed, Looks Like a Luxury EV Hatchback". Car and Driver. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  14. ^ Capparella, Joey (7 May 2021). "Hyundai Confirms Genesis GV70 EV, Ioniq 6 Sedan Coming in 2022". Car and Driver. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b Miller, Caleb (17 November 2021). "Hyundai Seven Concept Previews Electric SUV For Ioniq Sub-Brand". Car and Driver. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  16. ^ Capparella, Joey (17 November 2021). "Kia EV9 Concept Looks Big and Chunky, Previews a Three-Row EV SUV". Car and Driver. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  17. ^ Joey Capparella (13 January 2021). "2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Production EV Previewed before February Reveal". Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  18. ^ Hugo Quintal (10 August 2020). "Hyundai lance la sous-marque Ioniq pour les véhicules électriques" [Hyundai launches sub-brand Ioniq for electric vehicles] (in French). Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  19. ^ Eisenstein, Paul (10 August 2020). "Hyundai Launches New Ioniq EV Brand: Sub-brand will feature three all-electric models by 2024". thedetroitbureau.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020. As part of its goal to rapidly accelerate sales of battery cars, Hyundai is launching a new sub-brand, Ioniq, which takes its name from one of its current battery offerings.
  20. ^ "Hyundai launches the Ioniq brand dedicated to EVs". Engadget. 10 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  21. ^ Halvorson, Bengt. "Hyundai launching dedicated EV sub-brand, Ioniq 5 electric crossover arriving in 2021". The Car Connection. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  22. ^ "IONIQ – Exploring the Inspiration and Design behind its EV Line-up". Hyundai. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  23. ^ a b Halvorsson, Bengt (14 July 2022). "Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs. Ioniq 5: How sibling EVs' very different designs fit harmoniously". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  24. ^ Fink, Greg (13 April 2021). "Hyundai Heritage Series Pony First Look: The 1970s Hatch Remastered". Motor Trend. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  25. ^ Kierstein, Alex (12 November 2021). "Hyundai's Über-1980s EV Restomod Is Grandeur (Re)Incarnate". Motor Trend. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Reflections in Motion". Hyundai Motorstudio Busan. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  27. ^ "Reflections in Motion (exhibition catalogue)" (PDF) (in Korean and English). Hyundai Motorstudio Busan. 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  28. ^ Ruffo, Gustavo Henrique (13 April 2021). "Not A Tiny Hyundai Ioniq 5: This is The Heritage Series - Pony". Inside EVs. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  29. ^ Alderson, Alex (23 November 2021). "Hyundai reimagines its classic 1980s Grandeur with a Heritage Series EV resto-mod". Notebook Check. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
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  Media related to Ioniq at Wikimedia Commons