Hyundai Ioniq to arrive in US showrooms from end ’16

Fresh from its Malaysian preview yesterday, the Hyundai Ioniq range will be arriving in the United States in stages. The fully-electric model will reach the continent’s showrooms first by the end of the year, with the hybrid version (the one Malaysia is getting) making its arrival there early next year. The plug-in hybrid variant is expected to round up the Ioniq range in the US by the third quarter of 2017.

It is understood that Hyundai will be launching 28 “green” models Stateside by 2020, which will include 10 hybrids, eight plug-in hybrids, eight EVs and two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The Korean automaker considers the timing to be right for putting emphasis on this segment of vehicles.

“We know that electrification is the right way to go, irrespective of what we each look for in a vehicle,” said Michael O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning at Hyundai Motor America. The Ioniq range will form the core of that line-up.

The Ioniq EV will have an estimated range of 198 km, though Hyundai pledges to have EVs with a range beyond 320 km by 2018. Out of the three Ioniq variants, Hyundai sees the hybrid version to be the highest-volume item.

Its Blue trim variant is estimated to comsume 4 litres per 100 km, which Hyundai claims to be more fuel-efficient than the Toyota Prius Eco as well as the regular Prius. As for the plug-in hybrid variant, Hyundai estimates its Ioniq PHEV will be capable of over 43 km on electric power alone.

In terms of the US market, marketing for the plug-in hybrid and EV will be focused on Zero Emissions Vehicles states such as California and New York, but they will also be made available for purchase elsewhere in the United States.

GALLERY: Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid in Malaysia

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