The wind tunnel is the latest weapon in the automotive world: this new Hyundai shows why | Car

Thanks to its smooth, rounded appearance, the Ioniq 6 is one of the most aerodynamic models Hyundai has ever made – according to the brand itself. The Korean group thus immediately claims to have an above-average efficient electric car, although the exact figures on consumption and driving range are unfortunately still under wraps. Hyundai will announce those technical details at a later date.

With the arrival of the Ioniq 6, the car brand mainly wants to show how many types of models are possible on the electrical architecture that is already under the Ioniq 5. That bottom plate – in fact a kind of skateboard with a battery pack and electric motors – can be stretched and adjusted in various ways. This allows a manufacturer to play with the ‘houses’ on that chassis: the Ioniq 5 is a rather square SUV, the Ioniq 6 is a low sedan and the Ioniq 7 (expected to arrive in 2024) will be an even bigger one. semi-terrain vehicle with room for seven passengers.

In terms of design style and appearance, the 6 has little to do with the 5. Hyundai says it does not work with a family face where different models are very similar (as you see, for example, with brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz). According to the head of the design department at Hyundai, Simon Loasby, the brand wants each model to have its own style and appearance. ,,I like to compare it to a game of chess; there are also all kinds of different characters that all have their own qualities. That’s how we see it with our cars: they are all different and each appeals to a different type of customer.”

The appearance of the Ioniq 6 is more classic in cut than that of the sharply drawn Ioniq 5. The smooth curves may appeal to a more classically minded buyer, but the 6 mainly looks like this because this shape is optimal for low consumption. Almost everything revolves around the best possible air resistance: the less effort it takes for a car to cut through the air, the further you will get on a fully charged battery pack.

That makes a model like the Ioniq 6 more suitable as an electric car than many SUVs and crossovers you see today: with their high bodies, they actually consume more energy than is strictly necessary. The high Hyundai Ioniq 5, for example, saves a decent 481 kilometers on its battery pack of 77.4 kilowatt-hours, you can bet that the much lower Ioniq 6 gets a lot further on the same battery capacity. Incidentally, the Ioniq 6 gets the same modern fast charging options as the other Ioniq, complete with a smart adapter that makes it possible to charge other electronic devices via the charging port of the car.

In order to make optimal use of the laws of physics, the Ioniq 6 is as low as possible: the nose (where a front luggage compartment is hidden) starts very sharp and is equipped with a new Hyundai logo. That’s flatter than the decal on other models of the brand, again to improve aerodynamics. In the front bumper are flaps that can close for better aerodynamics, while ‘gills’ guide the wind around the front wheels more efficiently, the handles are recessed into the sheet metal and the elongated rear again ensures few swirls.

The double-layered rear spoiler also stands out: two horizontal ‘planks’ guide the air smoothly away from the rear. At an additional cost, the Ioniq 6 is available with mirror cameras: they are more compact and more economical than the standard mirrors, although Hyundai could not tell exactly how much consumption (or driving range) they care during the unveiling.

With the Ioniq 6, Hyundai joins a list of other car models that clearly owe their appearance to the wind tunnel. The same goes for smooth figures such as the Tesla Model 3 and the Mercedes-Benz EQS, but the recently unveiled Lightyear 0 is perhaps the most appealing example. The Dutch solar cell car also has a very clear teardrop shape, because that is simply the most efficient shape for reducing air resistance. In the fight against electric cars that are too greedy with energy, a favorable streamline appears to be the best answer, according to more and more car manufacturers.

Nevertheless, Hyundai wanted to make the Ioniq 6 a useful car. The brand claims that the interior offers above-average space, although you will find those centimeters mainly in the legroom for the rear passengers. The wheelbase of the car (the distance between the front and rear wheels) is so large that even tall Dutch people of more than two meters can sit in the back without a lack of space. However, the main room is less spacious: there you notice that the roofline descends quite quickly.

Furthermore, Hyundai proudly reports that the interior is made of sustainable materials more than with other Hyundai models. For example, recycled PET bottles have been used in the seats and the roof lining, organic paint has been used from vegetable oils and the brand gives old fishing nets a new life as floor mats. Used car tires are finely ground to color the plastic parts on the outside. The atmosphere and use of color in the interior are calm and neutral, while the tidy cockpit is reminiscent of that of the Ioniq 5. Striking in the 6: the four square pixels on the steering wheel serve, among other things, to show you how far the batteries are charged.

Hyundai will launch the 4.85 meter long Ioniq 6 in 2023. What the car should cost and what equipment is standard in the Netherlands, the brand will announce at a later date. This also applies to performance and electric range.