The Hyundai IONIQ 6 has debuted in Thailand

Hyundai is on a roll with the release of their new electric vehicles and it doesn’t seem like they’re stopping anytime soon. The Korean automaker is serving up hit after hit with their EVs. For example, the IONIQ 5, with its captivating design has already made waves in the automotive industry, carving up its own name on the market while the equally striking next generation of the Kona is eagerly awaited by the masses. Now, it seems like it's another strike for Hyundai as they launch a new luxury EV in Thailand.

Named the Ioniq 6, it was globally unveiled a few months ago and has now been introduced at the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show. This launch in Thailand also signifies the premiere of the Ioniq 6 for Southeast Asia.

Before we get to the IONIQ 6’s looks, let’s take a gander at its powertrain. Equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery that powers electric motors in the front and rear, the Ioniq 6 is an all-wheel drive EV that boasts a combined system output of 321 hp and 605 Nm of torque. Its charging capabilities are equally impressive as its output; through the use of a high-speed charger, the battery can charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes. On a single charge, the batteries can take the IONIQ 6 up to 614 km.

The IONIQ 6 features the sleek and futuristic appearance that you would expect from a modern electric vehicle. So you’d be surprised to know that the inspiration behind the Ioniq 6’s design actually draws from the 1920s and 1930s, as mentioned by Hyundai's Vice President of Styling, SangYup Lee. Lee cited iconic design elements from those decades that influenced the creation of the Ioniq 6. 

The luxury EV has smooth, flowing bodywork with a low and wide stance. The sides are characterized by sculpted curves that flow towards the rear, where the taillights are a bar of lights that cover the whole rear. There is also a second light bar higher up the rear which can be found on the car’s ducktail spoiler mounted just below the rear windscreen.

The cars that influenced the design of the Ioniq 6 are the Stout Scarab, Phantom Corsair, Tatra 87, Saab 92, and Douglas C-47 Skytrain. Streamlining is the common theme among these vehicles according to Hyundai and an aerodynamic shape was the solution they found that could maximize the IONIQ 6’s range. As a result of all that work, the Ioniq 6 cuts through the air with a drag coefficient of only 0.21, whereas most cars fall in the range of 0.27 to 0.32.

The interior of the Ioniq 6 is as visually striking as its exterior. A broad, curved display encompasses the instrument cluster and infotainment screen, while the sleek dashboard creates an illusion of levitation. Additionally, each door features a pair of screens that function as displays for side-view cameras. To create more room, the Ioniq 6's electronic gear selector is mounted on the steering column. On top of all that tech, the vehicle comes standard with semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

There’s still no news if the IONIQ 6 wil be available here in the Philippines in the future, but we’ll keep you posted if more developments come regarding Hyundai’s luxury EV