Here is the first of Hyundai’s new 800-volt EVs – the Ioniq 5

On Tuesday morning in Korea, Hyundai launched its newest battery-powered electric vehicle. The company resisted the temptation to start with a bombshell SUV like the reborn GMC Hummer from General Motors or a beautiful sedan like the Porsche Taycan, although both are in development. Instead, the Ioniq brand will launch with the most sought after of automobiles, the midsize crossover. In this case, a sharp-styled crossover called Ioniq 5, which will also be the first BEV to use Hyundai’s new E-GMP architecture.

The production Ioniq 5 looks remarkably similar to the concept car that preceded it, the 45. At first glance, it appears to be channeling the good-looking square of the late 1980s hot hatches. But don’t be fooled by the proportions; it’s almost the same size as Toyota’s best-selling RAV4 crossover. The large 20-inch wheels and short front and rear overhangs conceal a 118-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase that translates into acres of interior space for occupants.

In addition to plenty of space and floor plan, the interior brings another surprise. The center console can slide, moving backward up to 5.5 inches (140 mm). This gives front occupants the option to leave the other side of the car outside, as well as giving rear passengers access to console storage, USB ports and wireless charging base.

The front seats will recline as needed, including a footrest, although obviously the driver’s seat does not do this while the car is in motion. And Hyundai says it made the front seats 30% thinner than normal, again to increase the space behind. The rear seats move back and forth too, sliding forward by 5.2 inches (135 mm) to increase load capacity.

As it is becoming a trend, there is widespread use of sustainable materials such as recycled PET bottles and natural fibers used in the interior.

Two batteries, two power sets

We’ve gotten used to the new BEVs with huge batteries, but the Ioniq 5’s powertrain specs show Hyundai’s confidence when it comes to electrical range efficiency engineering. There are two packaging sizes – 58 kWh or 77.4 kWh (72.6 kWh in regions other than the US). And there are two transmission options: rear-wheel drive, with a single 160 kW (215 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) engine; or four-wheel drive, with a total power of 173kW (231hp) with the lowest capacity battery or 225kW (301hp) with the largest battery. Regardless of the package size, the AWD Ioniq 5 produces 605 Nm (446 lb-ft).

Consequently, performance should be fast rather than breathtaking, with 0-62 mph (100km / h) ranging from 5.2 seconds to 8.5 seconds, depending on the configuration. Hyundai has only given us a range estimate for the RWD plus the 72.6 kWh setting, which it says should reach 292-298 miles (470-480 km) under the WLTP test regime.

Like the GMC and Porsche BEVs mentioned above, the Ioniq 5 uses an 800V electrical architecture, which, among other things, means that it is capable of extremely fast charging – from 10 to 80 percent of the charge state in just 18 minutes when connected to a 350kW DC fast charger. Four hundred volt DC chargers are more common, but some smart technology in the Ioniq 5 means it can use them too – the motor and inverter double the voltage to satisfy the battery.

And although vehicle-to-grid functions are not yet supported (by vehicles or the grid), the Ioniq 5 features a vehicle for cargo, also known as the ability to operate as a remote AC power source of up to 3.6 kW, via the external loading port or a V2L port located under the rear seats.

The Ioniq 5 goes into production this year, with deliveries to the United States scheduled to start in the fall. It will be followed by the Ioniq 6 sedan (based on the impressive Prophecy concept car) and then the Ioniq 7, a large electric SUV.

List image by Hyundai