The Hyundai IONIQ will debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next week, but the company has already released information about the car beyond its looks and design generalities. The IONIQ will be the first production vehicle to be offered with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrain in one model.
The choice of electric, plug-in, or hybrid powertrains will be the first thing setting the IONIQ apart from others on the market. The first version of the platform to be offered will be a dedicated hybrid model, for which Hyundai has released full information. It is expected that information on the plug-in and electric options will be released closer to or during the show in Detroit.
The hybrid IONIQ will use a 1.6-liter Kappa GDi engine with 40 percent thermal efficiency. This engine was developed exclusively to power hybrid vehicles and mates to a permanent magnetic electric motor. The engine produces 105 ps (103.5 hp, 77 kW) and the motor produces an additional 43.5 ps (43 hp, 35 kW).
The engine has a split design for the block and head to optimize cooling and fuel is delivered through a 200-bar high pressure fuel injector. Power for the motor is provided by a lithium-ion polymer battery, which is recharged from the engine and regenerative braking. The engine and motor turn a dual clutch transmission designed for the hybrid as a variant of the dual clutch found in the all-new Hyundai Tucson. This new transmission has a power efficiency of 95.7 percent.
The body of the Hyundai IONIQ is built with 53 percent high strength steel which has been combined with aluminum. The new model saves 45 percent of its potential weight by using cast aluminum non-structural bodywork (hood, tailgate, etc.).
Hyundai has teased renderings of the IONIQ already and now more substantial visual offerings are being made ahead of Detroit. Gizmag will bring more information on this car as it becomes available.
Source: Hyundai
