Hyundai will roll out its hybrid technology as found in the new Hyundai Ioniq (pictured) to more models over the next four years.
The next generation i30 hatchback that’s scheduled to arrive in 2017 is the most likely Hyundai to benefit from the Ioniq’s range of electrified powertrains first. Other models in the range are expected to receive hybrid and plug-in hybrids as the Korean carmaker races to meet tough new EU emissions regulations due in 2020.
Revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, the Ioniq breaks new ground in offering three different electric powertrains in one body shell. The range kicks of with a Toyota Prius-rivaling Ioniq hybrid, there’s a plug-in hybrid model that’ll go head-to-head with the Prius plug-in, while topping the range is the full electric Ioniq designed to steal sales from the Nissan Leaf 30 kWh.
The three new Ioniq models and Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell ix35 SUV don’t make enough strides to cut Hyundai’s average CO2 emissions as set out in EU 2021 targets alone, though. By 2021, the average CO2 figure for all car manufacturers needs to be 95g/km – hence Hyundai rolling out hybrid technology to more models.
Moreover, Hyundai will offer its new hybrid tech in more mainstream models to suit different customers – much like Toyota does with its wacky Prius and then repackages its hybrid powertrain in the more conventional Auris Hybrid.
“We need to look to 2020 to 2021 to have the right powertrain line-up for our cars,” Dennis Elsweier told Auto Express. “We now have with Ioniq three electrified powertrains and with ix35 we also have fuel-cell technology. There is a toolbox to use for future developments.”
The first car to get hybrid technology is predicted to be the next generation i30 hatchback. Due to its positioning in the highly competitive c-segment market, it’ll go up against other hybrid hatches like the Auris.
Hydrogen power a possibility in the Ioniq
Looking further towards and beyond the 2021 target, Hyundai may even add the hydrogen fuel-cell technology as used in the ix35 SUV to the Ioniq giving a fourth different powertrain. However, Elsweier revealed Hyundai’s future developments in this market are dependent on infrastructure growth and customer acceptance.
“When you look at the fuel cell technology, the infrastructure needs to be there – just like it was and is with electric vehicles,’ he said. “At the moment it [lack of infrastructure] is too limiting but we need to look at from a customer point of view the benefits of applying fuel cell technology to the broader range.”
When the Ioniq launches in October this year, Hyundai will push hard in marketing its three powertrains in one body style heavily to break the Toyota Prius’ stranglehold on the hybrid car market, according to Sylvie Childs, senior product manager at Hyundai UK.
She revealed that the Ioniq Hybrid prices should start at around £22,000 – which would marginally undercut the Toyota Prius. The plug-in hybrid expected to qualify for the £2,500 government discount and the electric the £4,500 discount.
All three Ioniqs will have two trim levels each with entry level cars likely to get cloth and sat-nav as standard, and all UK dealers will sell the car and not a specialist network.
Do you think the Hyundai Ioniq can eclipse the Toyota Prius in the hybrid sales charts? Let us know in the comments...