Hyundai Ramps up EV Supply as It Launches “Game-Changing” Ioniq 6 Electric Sedan

Korean car giant Hyundai has promised a massive increase in the supply of electric vehicles to Australia in each of the next two years as it formally launches the much anticipated Ioniq 6 electric sedan, the second of its EV-focused Ioniq range after the multi-award winning Ioniq 5 SUV.

Hyundai sold 756 Ioniq 5s in 2022, and more than 1,000 in total, but says it aims to bring in around 3,000 Ioniq 5s and Ioniq 6s in 2023, before ramping that number up to around 6,000 in 2024. That will include the Ioniq 5N, a new high performance version of the popular EV.

The extra supply means it will also drop its system of monthly “online drops” and make cars available online as they arrive in the country, rather than opening the site at a particular time each month.

“People don’t need to rush and make an order in a few minutes any more, they can take their time. We’re seeing the customer experience improve greatly,” says Andrew Stamatakis, Hyundai’s senior consumer manager in Australia, saying it also allows people to make customised orders as well as preconfigured.

For those who actually want to see the car before the buy, Hyundai will also create more “collection” points through its network of “bluedrive” dealers that are authorised to deal with EVs. It has already been expanded to 24, and is aiming for 90, including in regional areas.

“Where we are now from where we were before is like the difference between night and day.”

The Ioniq 6 is already taking orders in Australia, with 305 sales and 25 deliveries to date, with Hyundai revealing interest from up to 10,000 potential customers on nits configurator.

The price for base Dynamiq model starts at $74,000 before on roads, while the top of the range Epiq will sell for $88,000, plus on roads.

Hyundai is hailing the Ioniq 6 as something of a “game-changer” in the EV space, thanks to its range of up to 614km at least for base Dynamic model, and 514km for the dual motor variants.

They feature super rapid charging, over the air system updates – recalls, navigation and multi-media updates – which is linked in with the Bluelink connect service, which adds things like voice recognition.

The Ioniq 6 has a 77.4kWh battery that will deliver up to 614km range in the Dynamic variant thanks to its sleek “streamliner” body and an ultra-low aerodynamic 0.217 coefficient of drag (with the 18″ wheels), and its performance means it will be add increased competition in the electric sedan space to the Tesla Model 3.

The price for base Dynamiq model will start at $74,000 before on roads, while the top of the range Epiq will sell for $88,000, plus on roads.

It is the first sedan built on the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which has also been the basis for three electric SUVs in the group, the Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, and the Genesis GV60.

The company is hailing the car as the most advanced car it has ever built, in much the same way that Kia laid similar praises on the EV6 GT when it was launched earlier this year.

“Ioniq 6 showcases the Hyundai brand’s technological ambition and our commitment to developing sustainable mobility solutions, while giving customers an exciting, accessible and versatile EV,” said Ted Lee, the CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia.

77.4kWh battery across the range. It’s the most energy dense battery installed by the Hyundai group to date, with super fast charging that can takes just 18 minutes to go from 10 to 80 per cent.

The Dynamic variant offers the longest driving range, the Techniq brings additional power and all-wheel drive, and the Epiq adds in all features including digital side mirrors and a battery conditioning system.

Its features include a spacious interior, thanks to the improved layout allowed by the electric platform, 12.3-inch digital virtual instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch Multimedia navigation unit featuring Bluelink, over-the-air software updates, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility, and Bose premium audio.

The Techniq will feature 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres, a full-width glass sunroof, heated & ventilated relaxation front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The flagship Epiq will also include high-efficiency heat pump-based heating, and a battery conditioning system.