Hyundai has launched the facelifted Ioniq 6 in its home market of South Korea, three months after unveiling the car in April. The release was accompanied by full specifications of the refreshed electric sedan, revealing some significant mechanical changes.
While the motors themselves have been left well alone – the lineup continues to consist of a 151 PS/350 Nm rear-wheel-drive standard range model, a 228 PS/350 Nm long range variant and a 325 PS/605 Nm all-wheel-drive range-topper – the battery sizes have been enlarged significantly.
The standard car gets the biggest jump in capacity from 53 kWh to 63 kWh, resulting in 437 km of range. Meanwhile, the larger battery option has been lifted from the new Ioniq 6 N and now holds 84 kWh (up from 77 kWh) for a range of 562 km on the RWD model (532 km with AWD).
The long range RWD model’s figure may seem like a downgrade from the previous WLTP figure of 614 km, but it appears the Korean test cycle is more stringent. Compared to the old numbers, the new Ioniq 6’s range has actually increased by the tune of 70 km for the standard range model and 38 km for the long range RWD, making the latter the longest-range Korean EV on the market.
Despite the increase in battery capacities, the long range models continue to DC fast charge from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes using a 350 kW charger, indicating a slight increase in input power. Other changes include a third-generation adaptive regenerative braking system that now uses navigation data to adjust regen strength, such as speed camera locations, speed bumps and roundabouts.
Under the skin, the Ioniq 6 receives retuned frequency-selective dampers to improve the ride, as well as new low-rolling-resistance tyres with sound-absorbing properties. Refinement has been further enhanced through increased sound insulation around the rear motor and a reduction in high-frequency noise entering the cabin. The car also gains a new “Smooth Mode” that reduces the throttle and brake pedal sensitivity to lessen the onset of motion sickness.
Of course, the biggest news is the revised styling that refines the Ioniq 6’s polarising streamlined design. Split headlights with slim upper daytime running light strips join a sleeker, mostly gloss black front bumper, while the outgoing car‘s large upper spoiler has been ditched in favour of an extended boot lid ducktail.
The old model’s busy rear bumper has also been cleaned up with the previously vertical reverse and fog lights now horizontal. Despite the change, the Ioniq 6 retains its impressive drag coefficient of 0.21, maintaining its status as the Hyundai Motor Group’s most aerodynamic vehicle.
The facelift also debuts a new N Line variant that carries over much of the full-fat N’s aggressive looks, most notably the twin grey bumper “tusks” that wrap around the bumper corners, plus a simpler boot lid with four illuminated “dots” in place of full-width “pixelated” light strips. A range of redesigned 18- and 20-inch alloy wheels complete the look.
Inside, the Ioniq 6 gains several usability improvements. The centre console has been reorganised, putting the physical control panel with the car’s unique centre-mounted window switches closer to the driver. This has the added benefit of freeing up space, with the Qi wireless charger now out in the open positioned fore of the dual cupholders. The USB ports are also now fully Type-C and can now charge at up to 100 watts.
Elsewhere, there’s a larger air con touch panel to make it easier to hit the buttons while driving (still doesn’t beat physical controls, however). The climate control system itself can now detect how many passengers there are in the car and adjust cooling to suit.
Meanwhile, the previously hard door panels are now covered in plusher materials to address the current car’s biggest shortcoming. There’s also a new three-spoke steering wheel to replace the old two-spoke unit, as well as an AI-enhanced voice assistant and an updated connected car Navigation System (ccNS) that should finally add wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai has also enhanced the car’s proximity unlocking to include walk-away auto lock.
Here, too, N Line gains some tasteful sporty touches, such as a unique N round steering wheel with a red drive mode button and metal pedals. Safety-wise, the Ioniq 6’s Smart Cruise Control (SCC) Level 2 semi-autonomous driving function has been improved with second-generation lane centring assist, adding capacitive hand sensors on the steering wheel. There’s also now pedal misapplication control.
Prices for the facelifted Ioniq 6 start at 48.56 million won (RM147,800) for the base E-Value+, rising up to 67.06 million won (RM204,000) for the most expensive Prestige N Line AWD model.
The Hyundai brand as a whole is gaining interest in Malaysia thanks to the establishment of the new Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY) principal company, taking over from Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM). Don’t hold your breath for the facelifted Ioniq 6 N to arrive here, however, as EVs do not figure in the firm’s plans as yet.
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