Hyundai Ioniq 6 2022: specs for crucial Tesla Model 3 rival leaked ahead of imminent launch

John Law

Contributor

Details of the Hyundai’s next bespoke Ioniq product – the midsize Ioniq 6 sedan – have been leaked ahead of its launch later this year

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 6 will launch globally in the second half of this year, with an Australian release date shortly afterwards, and thanks to a recent data leak, we now know a little more about this crucial Tesla Model 3 competitor.

A report by The Korean Car Blog suggests that while the Ioniq 6 will use the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5 midsize SUV and forthcoming Ioniq 7 large SUV, the sedan will offer 230kW of power and a 500-plus kilometre range from its 77.4kWh battery pack.

The Ioniq 6 was meant to be unveiled in March or April this year, though Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Eui-sun didn’t love the final design and requested some changes, which delayed the launch by three months.

Hyundai Prophecy Concept 2020 front dynamic — This is the Hyundai Prophecy concept which gives an indication of how the Ioniq 6 will look

The ensuing alterations saw the Ioniq 6 grow 20mm in length, thanks to redesigned bumpers. Now measuring 4855mm long, 1880mm wide and standing just 1495mm tall, the Ioniq 6 is similar in size to a Hyundai Sonata and will compete in the midsize sedan segment as a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

Much like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 may be one of the first Hyundai production cars to feature an illuminated ‘grille’.

How much power and range will the Ioniq 6 have?

Using the same 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack as the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a reported range of 515km according to the (fairly pessimistic) Korean protocol, with WLTP numbers potentially up to 550km.

Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 sedan will offer 800-volt ultra-rapid 350kW charging which should be able to go from 10-80 percent battery charge in 18 minutes.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 2022 Australia blue front end — The Ioniq 6 sedan is gearing up to offer more range than the Ioniq 5 SUV.

Reports suggest the Ioniq 6 will have a maximum of 230kW of power from a pair of electric motors, which is more than the Ioniq 5 dual-motor (225kW) but less than the Kia EV6 AWD (239kW) which uses the same E-GMP platform.

Presumably there will be several Ioniq 6 grades, with a rear-drive single motor offered at a more attainable price with similar power to the Ioniq 5 RWD (168kW).

Additionally, Hyundai could apply its N performance treatment to electric models. In GT guise, the Kia EV6 produces 430kW/740Nm, so dropping a similar powertrain into the Ioniq 6 sedan could give Hyundai a cut-price Porsche Taycan 4S rival.

How much will the Hyundai Ioniq 6 cost?

Given the Ioniq 6 will be using existing platforms and battery packs, it is unlikely to command too much of a premium over current Ioniq models. Expect the Ioniq 6 range to span roughly $70,000 to $85,000 in Australia.

A performance-oriented Ioniq 6 N will push closer to $100,000, but we’ll have to wait and find out.

Those who want a more luxurious EV from a Korean carmaker will be catered for by Genesis with its GV60 dedicated electric SUV, and Electrified GV70 midsize SUV.