A lot can happen in a week in ‘EV world’ – and this week was no exception. Volkswagen have just announced the ID. AERO and Hyundai and revealed the IONIQ 6.
The VW ID.AERO
VW’s all-electric sedan concept showcases a sleek and aerodynamic new vehicle that will soon join the ID family. The ID. AERO fills the saloon gap and competes directly with the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. Volkswagen passenger cars CEO Ralf Brandstätter commented:
With the ID. AERO show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of the ID. family. A car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of over 600 kilometers, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior. With our ACCELERATE strategy, we are intensively driving forward the electrification of our model range. Following the ID.4, this model will be our next global car for Europe, China and the US.
Some of the specs and other details VW has shared so far include:
- It will sit upon the MEB Platform at a length of five meters (16 feet)
- Built to be aerodynamic, offering a drag coefficient of 0.23
- 22″ two-tone wheels integrated flush into their housings
- Door handles replaced by illuminated touch surfaces
- 77 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivering up to 620 km (385 mi) WLTP range
- First deliveries are expected in China in the second half of 2023
The Hyundai IONIQ 6
The covers have also been pulled of the new Hyundai IONIQ 6. The latest EV saloon that will also challenge the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4.
The IONIQ 6 builds on the impressive IONIQ 5 and shows how Hyundai commitment to EV development over the last few years is really beginning to pay off. Legacy manufacturers are definitely playing catch up.
In summary:
- New Hyundai IONIQ 6
- Four-door ALL electric coupe-slash-saloon
- Minimalist yet futuristic design
- Interior borrows from IONIQ 5 SUV
- Likely to use batteries/motors from IONIQ 5 – 55-77kWh
- 5cm shorter than the IONIQ 5 and its roofline is 11cm lower
- Sales expected to start in late 2022/early 2023
Like the IONIQ 5 before it, IONIQ 6 implements the Hyundai Look design strategy that gives each model a unique appearance, like chess pieces apparently.:
By taking a customer-centric direction, Hyundai designs with diverse lifestyles in mind rather than with a one-style-fits-all approach.
This shift to EV models by the various manufacturers is all good news. The SUV line up is now becoming more supplemented by saloons/coupes providing a compelling reason to switch.
The talk of range anxiety and model choice has disappeared. It’s now about how fleets make the switch and the changes needed to do that in a tax efficient way for the both driver and company.
