Hyundai baby electric car confirmed
Affordable EV crossover from Hyundai set to rival Volkswagen ID.1 and Cupra UrbanRebelHyundai has confirmed it is readying a small entry-level electric car to go head-to-head with incoming new-generation Euro-centric compact crossover EVs such as the Volkswagen ID.1 and Cupra UrbanRebel.
Set to be priced from just €20,000 ($A30,000), the still-secret baby EV is scheduled to arrive in 2025, following on from the flagship 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 7 and the recently revealed IONIQ 6 sedan.
Announcing that work has already begun on the small Hyundai EV, Hyundai Europe marketing boss Andreas-Christoph Hofmann confirmed it would rival the three forthcoming Volkswagen Group EVs.
As well as the Volkswagen ID.1 and Cupra UrbanRebel, a still-to-be-named Skoda model will also be produced.
To be competitive, the Hyundai will probably mirror the Cupra and take the shape of a small SUV and have a battery pack of around 50kWh.
That could see some models match the UrbanRebel concept’s decent 440km range.
The entry Cupra SUV is also surprisingly large and far bigger than the previous Volkswagen Up, measuring in at 4036mm long (+436mm), 1976mm wide (+335mm) and 1576mm tall (+84mm), with a relatively long 2600mm wheelbase (+180mm).
To be in with a chance of dominating sales, Hyundai will have to match its rivals in size or lose out in the space race within the cabin.
The Cupra UrbanRebel concept also previewed a powerful 166kW version that was capable of a 0-100km/h sprint of 6.9 seconds, potentially triggering another brand-boost N model from Hyundai.
The compact Hyundai EV is likely to be based on a shortened E-GMP architecture that, in larger models like the IONIQ 5, supports an 800-volt electrical system that can withstand a 350kW top-up.
As a result, the smallest Hyundai EV could be among the fastest in its class to charge.
It might also be rear-wheel drive compared to the front-drive VW Group models. This could see the small Korean offer less luggage space compared to its rivals but, ultimately, prove a better drive.
There’s no word on whether the small EV will be offered in Australia, but the confirmation a cheaper Hyundai is on the way reveals just one of the 17 battery-electric Hyundai models that will be offered before the end of this decade.
Related: Hyundai plotting sub-$25,000 electric car
Related: Full details of Hyundai IONIQ 6 released
Related: LA MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai Seven EV concept revealed
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