Hyundai IONIQ 6 to bring 614km range
But Australian versions will be limited to a still-generous 545kmHyundai has announced a maximum driving range of up to 614km for its upcoming 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 ahead of the all-new electric sedan’s Australian release in the early stages of next year.
That maximum figure is for the lesser of two long-range rear-wheel drive variants fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels – one of five IONIQ 6 variants that will comprise the global line-up.
However, carsales understands the local IONIQ 6 line-up will initially consist of just two variants – one RWD and one AWD – each packing the long-range 77.4kWh battery pack and dripping with standard equipment.
If this strategy rings a bell, it’s because Hyundai Australia employed the exact same strategy when it launched the related Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric SUV last year, when it was named carsales’ 2021 Car of the Year.
Going by the WLTP data released today by Hyundai, Australian-delivered IONIQ 6s should be able to cover between 519km and 545km on a single change – considerably further than the rear-drive IONIQ 5’s effective range of 481km on account of its much slipperier 0.21Cd drag coefficient and marginally bigger battery.
The gap between the two models will narrow by roughly 25km in the coming months when local IONIQ 5s inherit the same 77.4kWh battery pack as the IONIQ 6 and the Kia EV6, replacing the current 72.6kWh unit, although Hyundai Australia is yet to announce the update.
In terms of efficiency, the IONIQ 6 Standard Range 2WD is the most frugal model yet to emerge from the Hyundai group’s e-GMP electric vehicle platform, with claimed energy efficiency of 13.9kWh/100km. This compares to the 16kWh and 16.9kWh/100km figures for the anticipated Aussie variants.
“We put every effort into designing the most efficient car in the EV segment,” said Hyundai Total Vehicle Performance Development Centre boss Byung Hoon Min.
“Our focus on improving aerodynamics helped to achieve one of the longest all-electric range vehicles available, which will reduce customers’ EV range anxiety and help grow the segment.”
The IONIQ 6 will face some stiff competition Down Under not only from Australia’s top-selling EV, the Tesla Model 3, but also the GWM-Ora Lightning Cat – another all-new electric sedan that was confirmed yesterday to be heading Down Under in 2023.
As we’ve previously reported, the IONIQ 6 is expected to cost between $70,000-$80,000 plus on-road costs once it launches Down Under, where it’s expected to be as popular as the sold-out IONIQ 5 (from $69,900).
As per the IONIQ 5, the IONIQ 6 will be sold exclusively online in designated allocations, and both hot N and family-friendly wagon versions could follow.
Related: Hyundai IONIQ 6 to be as popular as IONIQ 5
Related: Hyundai IONIQ 6 N and wagon mooted
Related: Hyundai IONIQ 6 revealed with 0.21Cd aero
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