Tesla has been the Floyd Mayweather of the Electric Carmaker arena for quite some time now. However, Hyundai is aiming to deliver a knockout punch to the market leader through its newly rolled out IONIQ 5. Let’s find out how.
Hyundai unleashes its new IONIQ 5 to tap into the electric vehicle on the market that is growing like wildfire, and it has clear intentions of taking down the market-leading Tesla Model 3. The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the first model dedicated to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) lineup which will spearhead a far grander assault on the market. It will be joined by a swoopy saloon and a full-height SUV within the coming years, as well as smaller models. But does the Ioniq 5 warrant all the buzz and hype it has been receiving? With just the early display of the Ioniq 5, the company had to temporarily stop taking early reservations for its new Ioniq 5 after high demand forced the company’s European website to crash.
Watch: Global reveal of Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5
Reasons why the IONIQ 5 is not only a worthy competitor to Tesla but also has an edge over it?
Powerful and massive battery
The compact EV boasts an 800-volt battery pack, double that of Tesla’s 400-volt system. The only models of the likes of Porsche’s ultra-expensive Taycan electric sports car have provided 800V capability until now. This implies charging will be ultra-rapid. The company claims it only takes 18 minutes to charge 80 percent of the battery, also the charging port can open with a button, the key fob, or with a smartphone app. There are two battery pack options: a 58 kWh or 72.6 kWh.
Vehicle-to-Load Function
In a first, Vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, owners can now use the battery pack to power many things. For example, one can power devices or appliances inside or out of the Ioniq 5 by plugging in a unique outlet connector to the charging port or from the three-prong outlet in the back seat. What’s even cooler is being able to charge other EVs. Yes, the Ioniq 5 can charge other EVs in the case of an emergency or just to flaunt its muscles that it packs under the hood.
The car also comes with vehicle-to-grid charging, which isn’t yet available on EV rivals. It means that the car can not only become a mini generator to power devices but also push electricity back into the grid when not in use.
Enhanced Range
Owing to Ioniq 5’s mammoth 800 volt-battery and ultra-rapid charging customers would be able to add around 100km (62 miles) of range in five minutes, the company says. The firm says that the longest-range version of the car will be capable of around 300 miles between charges.
The range can also be improved by a solar panel roof, which is likely to be offered as an option. The set-up can produce just over 200W of power and Hyundai says that in bright, sunny regions, it could add up to 2,000km (1,240 miles) worth of electricity per year. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 has a range in the ballpark of 400km (215 miles).
Longer Wheelbase means More Space
The wheelbase is long, about 118 inches. That’s longer than any Hyundai model including the large Palisade SUV. This means more interior room. The floor is also completely flat. That’s the beauty of a dedicated EV platform. The wheelbase is also around 250mm longer than the Volkswagen ID.4’s, a potential key EV rival. The Ioniq 5 rides on the company’s new E-GMP platform which it claims enables unique proportions on an elongated wheelbase. In case you’re curious, the wheelbase of a Tesla Model S is 116.5 inches.
Revolutionary Trailer Mode and AR Mode
The thought an EV would having a Trailer Mode, would have amounted to amuse for many but the Ioniq 5 does it. When the mode is selected, the driving range automatically adjusts to the weight of the trailer in tow. Like many EVs, the Ioniq 5 has one-pedal driving, but unlike many, it can stop on a downhill slope. AR (augmented reality) mode is basically a huge head-up display (HUD) that helps in driving.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 will rival not only the most affordable Tesla but also Volkswagen’s latest ID model, the ID.4 SUV. With no official pricing of the car yet, the South-Korean Company, Hyundai plans an early launch in the US later this year with a potential starting price of around $45,000 USD and about £38,000 in Europe. Though Hyundai wants to make a statement with its new dedicated BEV lineup Ioniq 5 that it is here to stay and crave a piece for itself out of the booming EV industry, it will be interesting to see if Hyundai has done enough to woo the loyal Teslaratis?
