New facelifted Hyundai Ioniq range uncovered
The Hyundai Ioniq range has been revised with fresh styling, new tech and a reworked electric drivetrain, borrowed from the Kona Electric
A facelifted version of the Hyundai Ioniq has been revealed. Updates to the range include reworked styling inside and out, revised connectivity features and a fresh electric drivetrain, with a larger capacity battery and a new regenerative braking system borrowed from the Hyundai Kona Electric. It will go on sale in late summer 2019.
Exterior revisions for the Ioniq range include updated front and rear bumpers, new day-time running lights and redesigned LED headlights and taillights. PHEV and Electric models are offered with new 16-inch alloys, while the Ioniq Hybrid comes with a fresh set of either 15-inch or 17-inch wheels.
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Inside, the Ioniq gets a redesigned dashboard, updated heater controls, a new 10.25-inch infotainment system and blue ambient lighting. Also, buyers can now choose from four leather upholstery colours, including black, two-tone grey, red (which can only be specced on hybrid and PHEV models) and “Electric Shadow” (exclusive to the electric version).
The latest Ioniq comes with Hyundai’s Blue Link connected vehicle service, which allows owners to check the status of their car’s battery and control their car’s climate control system via a smartphone app, as well as remotely start and stop, lock or unlock and issue charging schedules.
Owners also get a free five year subscription to Hyundai’s LIVE Services, which offers real-time updates about the prevailing weather conditions, traffic situation and nearby speed cameras. The system also provides drivers with information on nearby empty parking spaces, nearby charging stations and a live point-of-interest search system.
The Hyundai Ioniq EV gets a revised electric drivetrain which borrows technology from its sibling, the Hyundai Kona EV. The latest Ioniq Electric adopts Hyundai’s one-pedal driving mode, which allows drivers to decelerate purely with the car’s regenerative braking system. Hyundai has also added a new Eco+ mode, which diverts all the car’s remaining power to extending range, for unforeseeable emergency situations.
EV models get a larger capacity battery pack, upgraded from 28kWh to 38.3kWh. As such, its official range has increased from 174 miles to 182 miles. Its electric motor provides 134bhp and 295Nm of torque, while its battery can be charged from empty to 80 percent capacity in 54 minutes using a 100kW fast-charger.
Hybrid and PHEV models also feature an adjustable regenerative braking system in Eco mode, the intensity of which can be selected via the car’s paddle shifters. In sport mode, the paddles act as manual shifters for the car’s six-speed dual clutch transmission.
Both the Ioniq Hybrid and PHEV uses a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to an electric motor, which provides a combined power output of 139bhp and 265Nm of torque. The hybrid model can run solely on electric power at speeds up to 75mph, while the PHEV model can cover 32 miles in pure electric mode thanks to its 8.9kWh lithium-ion battery.
Now read our review of the outgoing Hyundai Ioniq Electric. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…
