Now that the wraps have come off the super-sleek 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 6 flagship EV sedan, the Korean brand is already talking up the chances of several spin-offs – including a high-performance N model and a shooting brake wagon.
Hyundai’s design boss SangYup Lee told UK publication Auto Express that the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 6 was well positioned to deliver more niche variants, including a red-hot N version.
Lee said the curvy new battery-electric sedan “would also make a great performance model”, which bodes well for an IONIQ 6 N.
He also stated that a luxury wagon variant was not out of the question, boasting: “I can make a great hatchback out of that, a shooting brake”.
Hyundai took risks with the design of the new IONIQ 6 and its retro-styled SUV sibling, the IONIQ 5, but it’s been rewarded for its bravery, the latter an award-winning sell-out success named 2021 carsales Car of the Year. It was also judged 2022 World Car of the Year.
Powertrain details for the IONIQ 6 will revealed in the coming weeks and will likely reprise the single- and twin-motor set-ups from the IONIQ 5, maxing out at 225kW/605Nm when hooked up to a 72.6kWh battery pack.
However, any IONIQ N models would likely use a version of the pulse-pounding high-output dual-motor set-up from the circa-$100,000 Kia EV6 GT, which cranks out 430kW/740Nm and can reach 100km/h from standstill in just 3.5 seconds.
An IONIQ 6 N would also offer more aggressive styling, bigger wheels, a lower ride height and potentially a big rear wing – or at least a deeper diffuser.
Expect to see the IONIQ 5 N precede the arrival of the IONIQ 6 N.
All Hyundai, Kia and Genesis EVs share the same E-GMP platform and most components and powertrains are interchangeable. The 800-volt architecture also allows up to 350kW recharging.
As for the IONIQ 6 Shooting Brake, it wouldn’t be the first premium wagon to come out of Korea, with the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake already available with a conventional internal combustion engine.