The Hyundai IONIQ, which was revealed earlier this month, was launched in Korea on Thursday. The car will eventually find its way into Chinese and American markets where it will take on the Toyota Prius. The IONIQ was created keeping in mind all the cons of the Prius, the biggest of which was its design and appeal. Despite being better for the environment, Toyota's famous hybrid struggled to attract the masses; why would a customer buy a car that isn't as fun to drive, or as appealing as its hydrocarbon powered alternative especially if the alternative is more cost effective?
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Judging by the images, Hyundai seems to have remedied the aforementioned issue that plagued the Prius with the IONIQ. The company says that the car features a 'unique and future-looking design influenced by efficiency and technology.' In fact, the car looks like it was designed in a wind tunnel, which it was, as is evident by the slippery 0.24 Cd drag coefficient that it boasts off. The car will eventually be offered in 3 powertrain options but so far, the company has only released specifications of its gasoline/electric hybrid (HEV). The said version is fitted with an efficient 1.6-litre GDI Kappa engine capable of making 103.5bhp which is aided by an electric motor. The combined performance figures stand at 139bhp and 265Nm of torque. These figures indicate that not only will the IONIQ offer a class-leading mileage figure of 24km/l but will be fun to drive as well. This combined with the host of gizmos packed into a plush cabin, all put together in an attractive looking package, could see the IONIQ become a legitimate alternative to a standard diesel or petrol car in the eyes of the more discerning car-buyer.
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At the launch of the IONIQ in Seol, Moon-Sik Kwon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor's R&D Centre, said, "The launching event announced the start of new future mobility and our will for technological innovation to the world. Hyundai Motor will spearhead efforts to become the global number two in the green car market by introducing over 22 models in the eco-friendly car line-up by 2020. IONIQ has been developed incorporating all of our technological capacities. The hybrid, pursuing the highest efficiency in its class, is economically efficient and stays true to the fundamentals of a car by delivering the fun to drive through a modern design and dynamic driving performance."
Hyundai has released a detailed list of in-car gizmos and safety features that are available on the IONIQ including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 7-inch TFT information cluster, autonomous emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), 7 airbags, and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. On the design front, the IONIQ features a trapezoidal front grille, HID head-lamps, C-shaped LED DRLs, and a slick and aerodynamic side profile that culminates in a high boot-line. Other clever features include a multitude of efficient air conditioning modes, including a 'driver only' setting, that help reduce the load, use of light-weight recycled materials, wireless phone charging pads, and an Eco-Driving Assistant System (ECO-DAS) that assesses the travel route for traffic conditions to make the IONIQ as efficient as possible.
Also Read: Hyundai Motors Introduces IONIQ Hybrid With 3 Eco-Friendly Powertrains
The 'Green Revolution' has become somewhat of a hot topic in the world of technology. As compared to 5 years ago, the extent of the threat posed by global warming seems to have finally been realized by many including the automotive industry's big-wigs. More and more manufacturers are rushing to invest in technologies that help reduce their dependence on fossil fuels not only because of the alarming rise in rate of deterioration of air pollution levels, but also because it's a known fact that non-renewable fuel types derived from petroleum will eventually run out. To further instigate this change, governments too are playing their part by continuously bringing out stricter emission norms and offering subsidies to cars that pose less of a threat to the environment. As a result, electric and alternative fuel-type vehicles continue to gain traction in an increasing number of international markets.
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India itself is likely to witness the launch of several more eco-friendly mobility options over the next couple of years, many of which are expected to be displayed at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo. Let's hope that more of these futuristic and green-energy driven models find their way to India considering the current pollution related crises that most big cities are currently having to tackle.
