Full details of Hyundai IONIQ 6 released

Hyundai has released full details of its upcoming all-electric 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 ahead of its Australian debut in the first half of next year.

Making its public debut at today's Busan motor show in Korea, the all-new battery-powered IONIQ 6 is Hyundai's take on the new BMW i4 and market-leading Tesla Model 3.

With that in mind, early indicative pricing suggests the Hyundai IONIQ 6 will be priced from $70,000 to $80,000, making it a close match to the similarly-equipped Tesla Model 3.

The IONIQ 6 was unveiled late last month, but Hyundai has now confirmed that it will feature a driving range of more than 610km on the strictest European WLTP test cycle, meaning it will eclipse the Tesla Model 3 Long Range that can cover 602km between top-ups.

Measuring in at 4855mm long, 1880mm wide and standing 1495mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2950mm, the IONIQ 6 is 161mm longer, 31mm wider, 52mm taller and has a 75mm-longer wheelbase compared to the Model 3.

The inspiration behind the IONIQ 6's striking looks is to slash drag for an ultra-slippery 0.21Cd drag coefficient that optimises the driving range. 

Not pictured are the clever active aero aids that include variable flaps in the low nose, wheel gap reducers and 'separation traps' in the rear bumper.

Beneath the skin, the entire underfloor is covered with air deflectors to cut drag.

Despite the need to slip through the air as cleanly as possible, the IONIQ 6 still sports two rear spoilers – one on the rear glass and the other on the boot lid. Both are needed to reduce high-speed lift.

Speaking of performance, Hyundai has revealed that the IONIQ 6, which sits on the same E-GMP platform as the IONIQ 5 SUV, comes with either a 53kWh or a larger 77.4kWh battery that powers either one or two electric motors.

The fastest dual-motor version that provides for all-wheel drive musters 239kW and 605Nm of torque, enabling the IONIQ 6 to sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.1 seconds.

With the smallest 53kWh battery the rear-drive IONIQ 6 is claimed to average less than 14kWh/100km, which makes it among the most efficient in its segment.

Charging, meanwhile, should be class-leading thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture that supports a 350kW top-up, with the IONIQ 6 taking just 18 minutes for a 10-80 per cent recharge.

Like the IONIQ 5, Hyundai's latest EV comes equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L) tech that converts the power input into a power outlet that can, with an adapter, run electronics, camping gear, home appliances and even trickle-charge a stranded EV.

Within the cabin there's a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 12-inch infotainment system that connects wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The new infotainment system is capable of being updated over the air and allows owners to upgrade their car during its lifecycle. The same capabilities will also bring improvements in both autonomous driving systems and battery range.

Along with the upcoming Hyundai Palisade due in 2023, the IONIQ 6 will be the second model to come with a Hyundai's Bluelink connected services.

Bluelink allows real-time travel mapping, taking account of the car's charge and plotting a route to a free charging station when needed.

Said to provide a cocoon-like environment, the IONIQ 6's cabin gets ambient lighting that provides owners with 64 different colours and six pre-selected themes. The brightness up front is dictated by the vehicle's speed to reduce distraction on the highway.

More new tech for the IONIQ 6 includes Hyundai's latest SmartSense semi-autonomous driving aids that incorporate an adaptive cruise control that's claimed to learn from the driver and can lane keep and adjust during cornering.

The standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB), meanwhile, can detect both pedestrians and cyclists.

The IONIQ 6 also bags a pair of digital rear-view cameras that not only project the view behind but eliminate blind spots on the move. These will be offered on cars offered in Australia.

Back seat passengers get Safe Exit Warning tech that alerts of other vehicles approaching, while parking will be easier than ever thanks to Remote Parking Assist 2 that can exit a space without any occupants aboard for easier access.

Mirroring the latest Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+, Hyundai has scored a spaceship-like soundscape for drivers that changes depending on driving mode, with owners able to adjust steering effort, motor power and throttle pedal sensitivity through the EV Performance Tune-up system.

Before the IONIQ 6 sedan arrives on sale in Australia it will go through an extensive local tuning program to select the best set-up for our broken roads.

It's thought when it arrives Down Under it will mirror the IONIQ 5 and be available in either the Dynamiq or high-grade Techniq trim.

Hyundai Australia has yet to confirm sales expectations for the IONIQ 6, but says it's likely to mirror its IONIQ 5 where demand has consistently outstripped supply.

Full pricing and specification will be released closer to the Hyundai IONIQ 6's launch here, and like the IONIQ 5 it will be sold directly via Hyundai Australia's website.