The 2016 Hyundai Ioniq was recently revealed in Korea as the first car to offer buyers a choice of conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric drivetrains. The plug-in hybrid version of the Ioniq could offer 32 miles of electric driving range, while the battery-electric version would have up to 155 miles of range on a single charge, reports AutoCar.
The Ioniq is spreading Hyundai’s effort to launch 22 new environmentally friendly vehicles across the globe by 2020. Based on an all-new platform and forgoing any conventional gas or diesel engine option, the Ioniq will utilize one of three lithium-ion batteries, depending on the model.
Although Hyundai has not yet released battery stats for either plug-in version of the Ioniq, the standard hybrid model will use a 1.5 kWh battery to achieve what Hyundai claims will be the best fuel efficiency of any conventional hybrid. That means it would have to exceed the estimated 54 MPG rating of the all-new 2016 Toyota Prius.
By offering hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions of the Ioniq, Hyundai is able to cover all of its bases in the consumer market with just one model. In addition to a simplified manufacturing process, this three-in-one vehicle could be an excellent bridge for moving more customers into plug-in vehicles. Potential buyers can compare and contrast different drivetrains in an otherwise identical vehicle, allowing them to choose the one that best fits their needs.
The Hyundai Ioniq is slated to go on sale during the second half of this year.
