Aerodynamic Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric coupé breaks cover with 614km range

• Focus on aerodynamics and efficiency
• Hyundai Ioniq 6 spotted in Australia
• Ioniq 6 features and specifications

Hyundai Ioniq 6. Source: Hyundai

The upcoming Ioniq 6 will offer a market-busting 614km (WLTP) driving range on a single charge, Hyundai has revealed.

Thanks to its slick and highly aerodynamic design, the sporty-looking coupé will be one of the most energy-efficient EVs on the market when it arrives in Australia in the early months of 2023.

With a drag co-efficient of just 139Wh/km in its single-motor short-range battery format, the Ioniq 6 is not quite Hyundai’s most efficient EV – that title goes to the original Ioniq EV at 117Wh/km. But the Ioniq EV is on its way, and the Ioniq 6 is on its way in.

The short-range variant with 52kWh battery sits closely behind the Tesla Model 3 RWD’s 134Wh/km, and is a little more energy-efficient than the heavier and larger Tesla Model Y RWD (146Wh/km). Both of these Tesla variants have 60kWh batteries.

The Ioniq 6 will also be available in two long-range variants. It is the single-motor long-range with 77.4kWh battery and 18-inch tyres that achieves the market-busting range, which is 4km longer than it previously estimated.

Currently, the longest-range vehicle on the Australian EV market is the Long Range Model 3 which offers 602km WLTP. The Model S has a longer range but is not currently being delivered to Australia.

Focus on aerodynamics and efficiency

Although it’s not quite the most efficient EV on the market, Hyundai head of total vehicle performance development centre, Byung Hoon Min, said in a statement that its focus is on “designing the most efficient car in the EV segment.”

It is also on “improving aerodynamics helped to achieve one of the longest all-electric range vehicles available, which will reduce customers’ EV range anxiety and help grow the segment.”

Hyundai Ioniq 6. Source: Hyundai

Key to achieving these impressive stats are features like an active air flap, wheel air curtains, integrated rear spoiler and wheel gap reducers.

“In particular, wheel gap reducers minimise the empty space between the front bumper and tyres to improve aerodynamic performance around the wheel wells,” says Hyundai.

It says that this has made it possible for the “electrified streamliner” to be made with a longer wheelbase. This increases passenger comfort, giving more leg room and room for storage, while also dealing with aerodynamics issues caused by a short front overhang.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 spotted in Australia

As reported by The Driven in August, the Ioniq 6 has actually already arrived in Australia. A photo sent by a reader showed the sleek coupé parked in a garage in Sydney.

Hyundai confirmed to The Driven that the vehicle was a “pre-production vehicle on the road and undergoing our local tuning (suspension & steering) evaluation program.”

Hyundai Ioniq 6 reaches Australia. Supplied

Ioniq 6 features and specifications

Other Ioniq 6 specs previously shared include the same charging profile as the Ioniq 5. With an 800-volt architecture, the Ioniq 6 can charge 0-80% in 18 minutes, and can accommodate 400-volt charging without a secondary plug.

The top-of-the-line dual-motor combination produces 239kW/605Nm torque and is available in both RWD and AWD configurations. Hyundai has not disclosed RWD power and torque figures in its latest announcement, although they are expected to be around the 160kW/350Nm of the Ioniq 5 RWD Dynamiq.

Hyundai Ioniq 6. Source: Hyundai

The Ioniq 6’s top 5.1-second 0-100km/h acceleration isn’t as swift as the pricier Model 3 alternatives. However, it’s still enough to get you in trouble if you have a heavy foot. Of course, as the Ioniq 6 is built on the same dedicated e-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5. This means drivers can expect it to also offer features like vehicle-to-load.

And, while the Ioniq 5 has a focus on spacious family comfort, the Ioniq 6 aims to appeal to a younger crowd. To this end, it has features like “Speed Sync Lighting,” which lights up the inside of the car as it goes faster.

Keyword: Aerodynamic Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric coupé breaks cover with 614km range