Hyundai Motor Company revealed an exciting new chapter in its future thinking with the unveiling of the electric sports hatchback i-oniq at the 2012 Salon International de L’Automobile in Geneva. Showcasing new technology and design, the i-oniq evolves the company’s fluidic sculpture form language, and represents bold ‘New Possibilities’ with its futuristic powertrain.
Represented in dynamic proportions, the 4.4 metre long i-oniq’s functional body shape combines muscular treatments with gentle flowing lines. The interior space is driver-oriented delivering high-tech interface controls and future premium electronic technology such as movement control mounted on the steering wheel, floating instrument cluster with multi-layered projection and a large background display for navigation, entertainment and other information. Passenger comfort is optimised with a premium lounge-style design in the rear cabin, in contrast with the distinctly sharp, sporty front of cabin. Use of luxurious interior materials, further develops the evolution of fluidic sculpture within the car.
The i-oniq concept has an innovative powertrain demonstrating Hyundai’s commitment to clean technology by combining an electric motor with a range-extending petrol engine. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine is mated, via a generator, to a lithium-ion electric motor which produces 80 kW. In electric-only mode, i-oniq has a range of 120 km, while assisted with the petrol engine it can travel up to 700 km, producing just 45 g/km of CO2 in the process. The concept car can reach a top speed of 145 kmh.