Hyundai will be launching the first-of-its-kind electric car called the "Ioniq." It is set to debut in South Korea in January 2016.
According to a report from Inside EVS, Hyundai will be the first automaker to offer an automobile featuring three different electrical powertrain options, namely Battery Electric, Plug-in Hybrid, and Conventional Hybrid. Following its initial release in Korea, the Ioniq will be launched at car shows in Geneva and in New York in March.
Hyundai has yet to release any information regarding the pricing or on-sale date of the Ioniq. As per the automaker, the new electric car is built on its own dedicated platform.
The company said in a statement: "In its fully-electric (EV) form, the IONIQ is powered by a high capacity, ultra-efficient lithium ion battery. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version combines a fuel-efficient energy with battery power obtained by charging the car with electricity, boosting its range while cutting its emissions. Finally, the hybrid (HEV) utilizes the gasoline engine and motion of the car to charge the on-board battery, which returns enhanced efficiency by supplementing the engine's power."
Although it is not yet confirmed by Hyundai, Inside EVS predicted that the Ioniq will be on sale in the latter part of 2017.
"Our vision for future mobility focuses on choice, with a variety of powertrain options to suit customers' varied lifestyles," Hyundai's head of research and development, Woong-Chul Yang said. This will be the first time that a car will feature three different layouts in the same body.
According to CNET, the evolution of battery technology has not yet reached the point where its range can suit any type of driver. The company's choice to retain some similarity to gasoline propulsion therefore should only help boost the car's sales.
For those who are still choosing between the old and new technology, it might help to know that the plug-in option will provide extended electric-only travel while at the same time relying on gas engine for stronger propulsion, depending on how the vehicle is set up.
Consumers will still have to wait until next year to know more about what Hyundai's Ioniq electric car has to offer.
