Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV India launch confirmed
New Delhi: Hyundai India has now confirmed the launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover. This follows Kia’s announcement of bringing the related Kia EV6 to India next month. The Ioniq 5 can be expected to make its debut by September-October 2022, with prices to be revealed soon after. Unlike the EV6 which will first launch in as a CBU, the Ioniq 5 is expected to be locally assembled and will come at a lower price point.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Range, Battery, Specifications
The Ioniq 5 is available internationally in two battery sizes, the long-range 77.4 kWh battery pack and a smaller 58 kWh pack, the former available in both 2WD and AWD variants. The 2WD Ioniq 5 has a WLTP range of 481 km with this larger battery pack while the dual motor configuration offers a combined 305PS and 605 Nm to allow for a 0 to 100 kmph time of 5.2s and a 260 kmph top-speed.
The 800V electrical architecture allows the Ioniq 5 to charge from 10-80 per cent in 18 minutes through a 350 kW charger. A 50 kW charger will charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 56 minutes. The Hyundai EV also offers a suite of Level 2 ADAS functions, regen modes, connected car tech. The Ioniq 5 should become the flagship model for Hyundai in India with its 4,635mm length and significant 3,000mm wheelbase, longer than the Tucson.
The Ioniq 5 is the first of six electric vehicles that the Hyundai brand has planned for India. While details on the exact nature of the upcoming Hyundai EVs are scarce, it can be expected that Hyundai will cover most of the popular market segments with its electric models. The rumoured EV small car should be the most hotly anticipated model, going up against a similar sub-10 lakh model from Maruti Suzuki. Further, we also expect to see EV SUV models in the sub-four-metre segment to go up against the likes of the Tata Nexon EV.
Hyundai is set to follow the current trend in India of developing these EVs on reworked ICE platforms of its existing cars. The company has earmarked Rs 4,000 crore for the development of these SUVs in India which should be heavy localization of components like electric motors and battery packs. Eventually, the E-GMP architecture of the Ioniq 5 will also be localized, which should lead to longer range and faster charging EVs from Hyundai. These more premium offerings should be larger mid-sized SUVs or even an electric sedan model.
If Hyundai does locally manufacture the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the electric crossover will have a distinct price advantage over rivals like the upcoming Volvo XC40 Recharge and the Kia EV6. Expect the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to be priced around Rs 35 to 40 lakh.