Hyundai has just announced that Ioniq is going solo. The Ioniq name will become the company's EV-dedicated brand and offer three new models over the next four years, built on a new EV-specific platform.
“The IONIQ brand will change the paradigm of EV customer experience,” said Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company in a press release. “With a new emphasis on connected living, we will offer electrified experiences integral to an eco-friendly lifestyle.”
First in the new line of Ioniq-badged vehicles will be the Ioniq 5, a midsize electric crossover that's set to launch early next year. Under the new system, odd numbers will mean crossovers and even numbers will denote sedans, so if you're wondering about Ioniq 2 through 4 (assuming the current hybrid/PHEV/EV hatch is 1), then you can stop.
The Ioniq 5 will be based on the 45 concept Hyundai showed in 2019 (sort of a retro CUV Pony), and it will be followed by the Ioniq 6, styled after the Prophecy concept from earlier this year. After that will be the 7, which will be a large crossover coming in early 2024. Don't expect a separate set of stores for the Ioniq lineup like Genesis, at least not yet. This will more likely be under the Hyundai store's umbrella.
To start, at least, the Ioniq models will be on a new Electric Global Modular Platform, an EV-specific platform the automaker says will allow for reimagined interiors with features like "a glove box designed as drawers." We're not sure how exactly that would look, but they've caught our attention.
In terms of EVs, Hyundai currently offers the Kona EV, hydrogen fuel cell-powered Nexo, and Ioniq trio (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full EV).
