Drew Dowdell

At the 2016 New York Auto Show, Hyundai took the wraps off the 2017 Hyundai Ionic. Clearly aimed directly at Prius buyers, the Ioniq challenges the market leader by offering three powertrain variants in a single body-style. Additionally, the Ioniq is offering more conventional styling compared to the very polarizing new look of the Pruis. The three powertrains offered are standard hybrid - 104 horsepower, 109 lb-ft of torque, 1.6 liter direct injected Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder - 44 horsepower, 125 lb-ft electric motor feeding from a 1.56 kW LiO battery. The combined systems produced 139 horsepower. Power is routed to the front wheels through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission Plug-In Hybrid - Uses the same gasoline engine as above, but replaces the electric motor with a 60 horsepower unit and a 8.9 kWh Lithium-Ion battery. No mention of combined system power, but expect it to be more than the standard hybrid. The Plug-In will allow for up to 25 miles of electric only driving. Full Electric - Features 110 mile driving range from the 28 kWh, output is 120 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through a single speed transmission. A big part of the Ioniq story is the use of a new Lithium-Ion polymer battery. The use of polymer batteries rather than standard lithium-ion allows the weight of the battery to be reduced by up to 20% and allows for greater packaging efficiency. The battery is mounted low and wide under the rear passenger seat minimizing any loss of passenger room. Charging the Ioniq EV to 80% takes only 20 minutes on a Level 3 DC fast-charger. Adding to the efficiency of the Ioniq is the class leading 0.24 drag coefficient. Inside, the interior design is fairly conventional layout. During the press conference, Hyundai pointed out that the gauge cluster is in front of the driver "Where it should be", in a thinly veiled zing at Toyota. In an effort to further reduce petroleum use, the door panels the use a combination of plastic, powdered wood, and volcanic stone, the exterior paint is plant based oil, and the headliner fabric and carpet is made from sugar cane extract. Hyundai isn't yet talking specific MPG numbers for the hybrids, but they do say it will beat the Toyota Prius.