PLUS: Cadillac Lyriq drive, Mercedes to debut LongHaul semi.
Hyundai took the wraps off the Ioniq 6 sedan this week, revealing a sleek and innovative design that will have the unenviable task of competing with the Tesla Model 3 in the near future. The design of the new sedan's rear fascia promptly invited comparisons to a great many cars of decades past, ranging from the Tatra 603 to the Citroën Bijou, as well as far more familiar fare like the Infiniti J30 of the 1990s of the Porsche 911 of the 1980s, with the production-ready bodywork sticking fairly close to the themes we saw two years ago on the Hyundai Prophecy concept. Indeed, Hyundai looked to streamlined machines of the past for inspiration, and plenty of those influences can be spotted in the visually entertaining bodywork.
"Ioniq 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics," said SangYup Lee, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Design Center. "The distinctive streamlined design is the result of close cooperation between engineers and designers, with obsessive attention to detail and customer-centric values at the core. We have created the Ioniq 6 as a mindful cocoon that offers personalized place for all."
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Hyundai looked to the distant and not-so-distant past for inspiration in designing the new electric sedan. |
The interior of the sedan is equally avant-garde, offering a neon-lit trip to a cyberpunk future, one that now seems right around the corner. But Hyundai didn't show the entire interior, so there are still some items left for later. The reveal of Ioniq 6 this week was largely limited to design, which means we won't know the US-market specs for some time. But a few educated guesses can still be made since the model will share the E-GMP platform with Kia and Hyundai siblings like the Kia EV6.
This means we can expect the Ioniq 6 to get a choice of a 58.0-kWh or 77.4-kWh battery pack, offering about 310 miles in its longest-ranged form, as well as a choice of single- or dual-motor layouts.
Read on to find out what else to expect from the Ioniq 6 when it lands stateside.
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Wolfsburg will have its own answer to the Tesla Model 3 soon. |
Volkswagen took the wraps off a Tesla Model 3 competitor of its own this week, revealing the sleek ID. Aero sedan that we'll definitely see on sale stateside, after missing out on a few other electrics from Wolfsburg. Featuring a long wheelbase and cabin, stretching from the model's short hood all the way to the back, the ID. Aero will major in interior space as well, offering its take on an entry-level electric sedan.
"With the ID. Aero show car, we are revealing a preview of the next member of our electric vehicle family," said Ralf Brandstätter, chief executive officer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. "It's a car with an emotional and at the same time extremely aerodynamic design, a range of more than 600 kilometers, an extraordinary amount of space and a premium interior."
As you've probably guessed by now, the MEB underpinnings will mean that the 77-kWh (usable) battery will be on the menu, offering a range of 385 miles in the WLTP cycle according to Volkswagen. This should make it very competitive with the few electric sedans of its size available in Europe and China, and with the US-market Model 3 as well even if the EPA range may not be that optimistic once it lands here.
Read on to see the full gallery, as well as more details on just when we'll see the ID. Aero here.
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After spending two days driving the Lyriq in and around Park City, Utah—on many roads with shockingly low speed limits—we can safely say the Lyriq has a solid chance at rivaling the Tesla Model Y in leading the luxury EV crossover segment. First, there are a few items left to be sorted. Read our full review to find out what the Lyriq is like in real life. |
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Last of the big-box American-style cargo and passenger vans, the Chevrolet Express and its badge-engineered GMC Savana clone finally will be discontinued after the 2025 model year, with battery-electric vans replacing them in the 2026 model year, according to a competitive analysis source. Just what will replace them? GM's Ultium platform is certainly involved. |
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