The 2019 Hyundai IONIQ has arrived as Hyundai’s first-ever green vehicle on sale in Australia, with a choice of three eco-friendly electrified powertrains wrapped in a striking fastback body.

The flagship 2019 IONIQ Electric boasts a real-world, pure-electric range of 230km and the capability for charging its high-voltage lithium-ion polymer battery to 80 percent capacity in approximately 23 minutes. The 2019 IONIQ Plug-in makes electric-only commuting a reality, with its ability for EV trips of up to 63 kilometres and the option for easy overnight charging of the high-voltage battery. The range-opening 2019 IONIQ Hybrid presents an accessible and user-friendly taste of electric motoring, with a petrol/electric hybrid system that helps it achieve exceptional fuel economy.

The one we are most interested in is of course the all electric IONIQ Electric :-

IONIQ Electric

The flagship 2019 Hyundai IONIQ Electric provides a pure EV driving experience in a practical and accessible package. A high-voltage, high-capacity, 360V, 28kWh lithium-ion polymer battery gives the IONIQ Electric an all-electric range of 230 kilometres, which makes it a zero-emissions alternative to a conventional internal combustion engine car, with the capability for long-distance travel.

A high-output 88 kW permanent-magnet synchronous motor delivers a peak of 295Nm with instant responsiveness, which gives the IONIQ off-the-line acceleration in excess of combustion engine vehicles of similar outputs. Because the electric motor produces peak torque across a wide range, the IONIQ Electric does not require multiple forward gearbox ratios. Instead, a smooth, refined and efficient single-speed reduction gearbox seamlessly transmits motor power to the wheels.

A regenerative braking system can capture excess kinetic energy in the IONIQ, using it to charge the battery rather than seeing it go to waste as heat in the brakes. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters allow the driver to adjust the rate of deceleration and, correspondingly, the level of kinetic energy regeneration.

A standard Drive Mode Select function allows a choice from Normal, Eco, and Sport modes. Eco mode smooths out throttle response and torque delivery to maximise efficiency, and motor torque is limited to 265Nm in both Eco and Normal. Sport mode increases steering weight, sharpens throttle response and torque delivery, and unlocks the full 295Nm from the motor.

For charging, the IONIQ Electric can plug-in to a standard household socket using the supplied In-Cable Control Box (ICCB), as well as into an AC charging station, or a specialised 100kW DC fast-charging station. Using a commercial 100kW DC fast charging station the IONIQ Electric can be charged up to 80 percent in as little as 23 minutes (or in 30 minutes when connected to a 50kW fast charging station).

A 6.6kW on-board AC charger can charge the high-voltage battery in as little as 4 hours 25 minutes when connected to a charging station of equal or higher capacity. With the installation of a personal charging station, this will allow a full overnight charge at home.

JET Charge is Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s preferred partner for domestic charging station installations, and installations can be arranged nationwide through customers’ local Hyundai IONIQ dealership. To capitalise on low-cost off-peak electricity, the on-board charger features a built-in charge scheduling function, which is accessed via the in-dash 8.0-inch multimedia screen.

In circumstances where a charging station is not available, the standard In-Cable Control Box (ICCB) in the boot of every IONIQ Electric allows the battery to be charged via any household 240V AC outlet. It takes approximately 12 hours to reach full charge from zero when plugged in using the ICCB.

The Hyundai IONIQ Electric uses a future-proofed, FCAI-standard charging connector for compatibility with all AC and DC charging sources. The IEC 62196-3 Configuration FF (CCS Combo2) connector is compatible with all external power sources, and for AC charging the CCS Combo2 connector is also compatible with a standard IEC 62196-2 Type 2 plug, the same as that used on the IONIQ Plug-in.

IONIQ Electric Technical Data

Electric motor power / torque – 88 kW / 295 Nm

Battery capacity – 28 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer

Battery charging – 100 kW DC fast charging / 6.6 kW AC charging / regenerative braking

Electric driving efficiency – 115 Wh/km

Electric range – 230 km1 (real-world estimate) 280 km2 (ADR 81/02 & NEDC)

 

IONIQ Plug-in

The Hyundai IONIQ Plug-in delivers an electric vehicle (EV) experience, with the benefit of a range-extending hybrid petrol powertrain. For drives of up to 63 kilometres the IONIQ can be used as a pure EV, plugging into an external AC power source for battery charging in between trips. The broad torque of the IONIQ Plug-in’s permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor makes it instantly responsive with surprising performance off the mark. A 360V, 8.9kWh lithium-ion polymer battery allows for the motor’s generous outputs of 44.5kW and 170Nm as well as the useful real-world range.

The 77kW, 147Nm Kappa 1.6-litre GDi Atkinson cycle petrol engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are paired with the electric motor to deliver combined system outputs of 104kW and 265Nm. The Atkinson cycle maximises efficiency by delaying the closing of the intake valves. This effectively shortens the compression stroke, while leaving the expansion stroke unchanged, reducing pumping losses and improving the thermal efficiency to an impressive 40 percent. With the benefit of direct fuel injection and dual continuously variable valve timing (D-CVVT), as well as hybrid motor assistance, fuel consumption is just 1.1L/100km2

The 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) combines the fuel efficiency and driving engagement of a manual transmission, with the convenience of an automatic. The hybrid system makes DCT operation especially seamless, with the electric motor providing linear acceleration when moving from a standstill, as well as torque-fill to smooth gear changes.

With a fully charged battery, the IONIQ Plug-in runs in EV mode by default. In this mode, the vehicle uses the electric motor primarily, with petrol engine operation (HEV mode) as required, to provide for functions such as heating during vehicle start-up, or for when additional power is needed, such as during hard acceleration. When the high-voltage battery is depleted – or when Sport drive mode is selected via the gear lever or shift paddles – HEV mode is automatically engaged.

The driver can also manually engage HEV mode via the ‘EV/HEV’ button next to the gear lever as required, such as to conserve the current battery charge level for subsequent EV-only driving. A regenerative braking system allows excess kinetic energy in the IONIQ to be captured to charge the battery during driving. A 3.3kW on-board AC charger can recharge the IONIQ Plug-in’s high-voltage battery in as little as 2 hours 15 minutes when connected to a charging station of equal or higher capacity. The ability to reach a full charge quickly allows owners to utilise EV mode daily.

IONIQ Plug-in Technical Data

Petrol engine power / torque 77 kW @ 5,700 rpm / 147 Nm @ 4,000 rpm

Electric motor power / torque 44.5 kW / 170 Nm

System power / torque 104 kW / 265 Nm

Battery capacity 8.9 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer

Battery charging 3.3 kW AC charging / regenerative braking

Combined fuel consumption 1.1 l/100km

Combined CO2 26 g/km

Electric driving efficiency 94 Wh/km

Electric range 63 km2

IONIQ Hybrid

The 2019 Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid provides the ideal entry point to Hyundai’s green vehicle range, offering a similar driving experience to an internal combustion engine car, with far superior fuel efficiency. The IONIQ Hybrid drives primarily using petrol engine power, with a battery-powered electric motor providing assistance as required.

Regenerative braking allows the hybrid system to recover much of the kinetic energy that is lost in conventional vehicles, using it to charge the high-voltage battery. A high-efficiency, 240V, 1.56kWh lithium-ion polymer battery provides power for a 32kW, 170Nm permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor, and gives the IONIQ the ability to coast in EV mode at speeds of up to 120km/h.

The electric motor produces peak torque immediately, at nearly all motor speeds, providing instantaneous response to the accelerator and exceptional initial acceleration that exceeds expectations based on the output figures. The electric motor and efficient petrol engine are the perfect pairing, offsetting the reduced low-end torque generation of the Atkinson cycle with the immediate torque response of the electric motor, for a broad and seamless torque delivery.

The 77kW, 147Nm Kappa 1.6-litre GDi Atkinson cycle petrol engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission team with the electric motor to deliver combined system outputs of 104kW and 265Nm, with exceptional 3.4-3.9L/100km2 dependent on trim level.

IONIQ Hybrid Technical Data

Petrol engine power / torque 77 kW @ 5,700 rpm / 147 Nm @ 4,000 rpm

Electric motor power / torque 32 kW / 170 Nm

System power / torque 104 kW / 265 Nm

Battery capacity 1.56 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer

Battery charging Regenerative braking only

Combined fuel consumption 3.4 l/100km (15” wheels – Elite) 3.9 l/100km (17” wheels – Premium)

Combined CO2 79 g/km (15” wheels – Elite) 92 g/km (17” wheels – Premium)

Credit: Hyundai Australia