Hyundai has revealed its radical new Ioniq 3, and it is packed with technology to give it a 300+ mile range – but we’re most interested in the dashingly dotty use of Morse Code instead of a badge.
The strikingly styled hatchback is set to rival the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.3, sharing its underpinnings with the Kia EV3. The company says the new ‘Art of Steel’ design language includes pixel lighting and four central dots which spell out the letter “H” in Morse.
Under the swoops and sharp edges is hardware from the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with a 400V electrical architecture. Power is fed to the front wheels though a 147hp motor. The Ioniq 3 will have two battery options available, offering WLTP ranges of 213 miles for the 42.2kWh Standard Range version and 308 miles for the 61kWh Long Range.
Fast DC charging will get you from 10 to 80% in approximately 29 minutes, with unusually fast 22kW AC charging capability available.
The efficiency is helped by the car’s claimed class-leading drag coefficient of 0.263, meaning it can slip through the air more easily than boxier rivals and raised SUVs.
Despite the svelte looks, Hyundai says the cabin offers “upper-segment roominess” with a flat-floor layout and “furnished space” interior, with genuine five-seat comfort. The luggage does well too, with a boot capacity of 441 litres – compared with an ID.3’s 385. It also uses a ‘Megabox’ like the Ford Puma, with a concealed storage space beneath the boot floor.
Top spec Ioniq 3s will offer features such as Relaxation Seats with heating and ventilation, with designs apparently inspired by natural landscapes and 1970s Italian furniture design.
It will also be the first Hyundai model in the UK to feature the Android-based Pleos Connect infotainment system, with a 12.9-inch or 14.6-inch display. A digital key will enable access to the car using a smartphone or wearable device, while vehicle-to-load capability will let you access the battery’s power while away from the mains.
The Ioniq 3 was unveiled at Milan Design Week and will go on sale in the UK in the late summer.
