Hyundai has had a busy week at the Beijing motor show (OK, technically the Auto China show…) not least because it has been showing this, the Ioniq V, which is not only Hyundai's latest all-electric model, but the first car which it has designed specifically for the Chinese car market.
Why is the Hyundai Ioniq V important to us, then?
Well, there are lots of companies that make cars specifically for the Chinese market, but Hyundai says that this Ioniq V is not only a China-first model, but that in the future, the design and functionality of all of its cars around the world will be influenced by the Chinese market.
Here's what José Muñoz, Hyundai's president and CEO, had to say: "China is an essential market for Hyundai Motor Company. The world's most demanding EV consumers, the fastest development cycles, the deepest battery supply chain, and an advanced innovation ecosystem. That is why we are tripling down on our commitment to China. With significant investments into Beijing Hyundai, 20 new models coming over the next five years, the official launch of our IONIQ brand in China and the unveiling of Ioniq V, this is the most committed, the most ambitious, and the most exciting chapter we have ever written in this market. China is where the future of mobility is being defined, and Hyundai intends to help define it, In China, For China, and ultimately, for the world.”
What's the Hyundai Ioniq V like?
It's a dramatic-looking wedge-shaped saloon, with more than a hint of 1970s Italian concept car about it. Derived from the Ioniq Venus concept, it's been designed to go for 600km on one charge, according to China's relatively lenient CLTC official test. That means that, almost certainly, there's a version of Hyundai's impressive E-GMP electric car platform under there.
The Ioniq V features very subtle 'edge' lighting, with ultra-slim LED's framing the nose of the car, while there are also frameless doors and 'floating' side mirrors. The 2.9-metre wheelbase means it's very spacious inside, and the dashboard is dominated by a massive 27-inch touchscreen stretching halfway across the dashboard. There's also a head-up display and a Dolby Atmos sound system. The screen gets an ultra-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset and AI-based systems.
Hyundai also says that the Ioniq V has been "optimised for comfort and stability across various road conditions, with reduced road and wind noise for a quieter cabin environment.”
Will it come to Europe?
Not necessarily. Not only does Hyundai say that the Ioniq V has been designed especially for China, it's also working with Chinese companies - CATL for the batteries, and Momenta for the electronic driver aids - and the car has been designed to be sold at 'one price' which means no haggling, along with greater driver and owner support for the lifetime of the vehicle, or so Hyundai says.
However, whether it comes to Europe in its current form or not, the Ioniq V will certainly influence future Hyundai designs, as the company has already said that it wants to harmonise its lineup from a styling point of view, for a more defined 'family' look. Expect to see lots of wedge-shaped Hyundais in the future, so.