Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

Hyundai’s New Electric SUV Breaks Away from The Ioniq Lineup

  • The Elexio is the first EV developed in China by the Beijing Hyundai joint venture.
  • This fully electric SUV features a design distinct from Hyundai’s Ioniq lineup.
  • Built on the E-GMP architecture, the Elexio promises a 435-mile (700 km) range.

At this point, it feels like Hyundai releases a new electric model every few weeks. But don’t worry, this one’s actually a little different. Meet the fully electric Elexio, a new SUV developed specifically for the Chinese market. It’s the latest creation from Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture with BAIC Motor, and it promises to deliver the latest tech and over 700 km (435 miles) of range on a single charge.

The SUV, which ditches the familiar Ioniq branding for a fresh name, made its debut at a special event in Shanghai. Hyundai plans to reveal the technical specifications at a later date. While the vehicle’s dimensions haven’t been disclosed yet, it seems to have a more compact footprint compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 9 available in other markets including North America.

More: Genesis Declares Full-Size War On BMW And Cadillac With EV Muscle

Interestingly, the Elexio adopts a new design language that sets it apart from the Ioniq lineup. The front end features a grille-less look with sporty bumper intakes, complemented by a full-width LED bar below the horizontally mounted headlights. The profile stands out with sculpted fenders and a dark-finished D-pillar, which is visually connected to the rear spoiler. At the rear, the Elexio boasts high-mounted full-width LEDs, bold lettering, and some graphic elements on the bumper.

While Hyundai didn’t show any photos of the interior, they teased an “intelligent interface” with no physical buttons, alongside a new digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system will run on the Qualcomm SA8295 chip, delivering the latest connectivity features.

Inside, the design is said to focus on simplicity, with plenty of storage compartments. As for safety, the Elexio will be equipped with a range of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), offering Level 2+ autonomous driving capabilities.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Powertrain and Range

The new SUV rides on the E-GMP architecture, which already underpins numerous electric models from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. While the company didn’t share any details about the number of electric motors or their output, we do know that the platform is compatible with single- and dual-motor setups.

More: Hyundai Plans To ‘Sell Like Hell’ And Tariffs Can’t Stop It

A battery of yet-to-be-revealed capacity is expected to provide over 700 km (435 miles) of range under normal conditions, though this figure is likely based on the Chinese CTLC testing protocols. The battery will also feature rapid charging, able to go from 30-80% in just 27 minutes. It’s housed in a reinforced structure that meets the crash safety standards.

Manufacturing and Future Plans

The new Elexio will be manufactured in China by Beijing Hyundai, with a local market launch expected in the coming months. Whether it will be offered outside China has not yet been confirmed.

Earlier this year, Hyundai announced a $1.1 billion investment in its joint venture with BAIC. This move aims to deliver electrified products tailored to the needs of Chinese customers while boosting exports. With declining sales in China due to intense local competition, Hyundai is hoping vehicles like the Elexio will help restore its foothold in the world’s largest automotive market.

Hyundai’s Georgia EV Plant Starts Ioniq 9 Production Just In Time For Tariffs

  • The factory is already assembling the Ioniq 5, as well as Kia and Genesis models.
  • Hyundai has increased the annual production capacity of the facility to 500,000 units.
  • Pricing details for the Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV in the States have yet to be announced.

After committing a hefty $21 billion investment into its US operations, including the construction of a new $5.8 billion steel plant, Hyundai has officially kicked off production at its Metaplant in Georgia. The site, which began construction over two and a half years ago, will focus on producing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles, boosting Hyundai’s push into the EV market.

The Grand Opening of the site was attended by Hyundai leaders, as well as Governor Brian P. Kemp, US Representative Buddy Carter, and the president and chief executive of the Kia Corporation, Ho Sung Song. The Metaplant has already started building the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and, perhaps most importantly, is now also building the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Read: New Hyundai Ioniq 9 Lands With Three-Rows And Massive 110.3 kWh Battery

Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 is its first three-row electric SUV and serves as its alternative to the Kia EV9. Presented last November, the Ioniq 9 is underpinned by the group’s E-GMP architecture and fitted as standard with a 110.3 kWh battery. The brand has yet to announce US pricing for the SUV, but we know it will be offered in several different guises.

The base model has a 214 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels and a quoted range of 385 miles (620 km). Sitting above this version is the Long Range AWD, which adds a 94 hp motor up front. The flagship Ioniq 9 Performance has 214 hp motors at the front and rear, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds.

 Hyundai’s Georgia EV Plant Starts Ioniq 9 Production Just In Time For Tariffs

Initially, the Hyundai Motor Group planned to build 200,000 electric and hybrid vehicles at the Metaplant. However, as part of its increased commitment to the US market, it’s expanded annual production capacity up to 500,000 units.

“Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America not only represents the Group’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation, but also our investment in relationships with our partners and communities right here in Georgia,” Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung said. “With the rich history of craftsmanship and manufacturing in this community, together with the talented workforce at HMGMA we are building the future of mobility with America, in America.”

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Hyundai Teases New Electric SUV In China That Looks Nothing Like The Ioniq 9

  • Hyundai’s first electric SUV for China will debut soon with unique styling.
  • The model appeared in a video teaser during cold weather testing.
  • Hyundai’s new R&D center in Shanghai is spearheading its development

Hyundai is preparing to unveil a new fully electric SUV, specifically designed for the Chinese market. This upcoming model, which remains unnamed for now, is a result of the Beijing Hyundai joint venture, and it recently made its first appearance in an official teaser ahead of its expected launch later this year.

The teaser reveals a camouflaged prototype of the SUV undergoing cold-weather testing. Despite the cover-up, we can catch a glimpse of distinct styling elements that set this SUV apart from the global Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is notably absent in China.

More: Chinese-Owned EV Brands Gain Momentum In Europe, Collectively Outsell Tesla

Even under camouflage wraps, the SUV’s design features some clear visual cues. The headlights are connected by a slender LED strip along the front. The rear sports a muscular shoulder line that flows into a more upright tail, complete with an integrated spoiler. Not to be overlooked are the full-width LED taillights, which stretch toward the sides, enhancing the SUV’s profile.

Hyundai recently opened an R&D center in Shanghai, dedicated to developing electric models specifically for the Chinese market.

\\\\\\\

Beijing Hyundai

While we’re still waiting for detailed specifications, it’s likely the new SUV will be built on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which is shared across their Ioniq and Kia EV lines. This platform supports both single and dual motor setups and can handle battery packs as large as 110.3 kWh, suggesting this SUV could offer impressive range and performance.

More: Any Idea What Hyundai Is Teasing Here?

Currently, Beijing Hyundai’s offerings are limited to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, including popular vehicles like the Sonata and Elantra sedans, the Tucson L and Santa Fe SUVs, and the Mufasa SUV. The only electric model available in China right now is the performance-oriented Ioniq 5 N, imported directly from Hyundai’s global lineup.

We’ll get more details about this new fully electric SUV on March 28. Whether that will be the official debut or just another teaser remains unclear, but for now, the teaser video below will have to do.

Hyundai Teases Insteroid Concept, Its Ultimate Pint-Sized EV

  • The dramatic concept is inspired by the world of video games and has a crazy design.
  • It’s unclear what kind of mechanical changes the brand has made to the car.
  • Hyundai will lift the veil on the Insteroid next month and unveil it publicly.

Over the past few years, Hyundai has created several high-performance electric concepts, proving to the world that it’s committed to building cars that are fun to drive and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It looks to have done this yet again with its latest project, known as the Insteroid.

This special one-off, teased with several images and a video, takes the regular all-electric Inster and completely transforms it by taking inspiration from video games. As you may have guessed, the car’s name is a portmanteau of ‘Inster’ and ‘Steroid’ and will be unveiled in the flesh in early April.

Read: New Hyundai Inster Is A Tiny Electric Crossover For The Masses

The car appears to share very little in common with the regular Inster. All-new bodywork has been crafted for the concept, including massive flared wheel arches at the front and rear, not dissimilar to those from the i20 N WRC car. The cabin appears to be completely stripped out, and we can see a roll cage in there. Elsewhere, Hyundai’s designers have crafted a set of aerodisc wheels and a towering rear wing.

Several teasers of the car shared on social media show it’ll come complete with a raft of bright orange accents and a ghost logo that looks like it’s been pulled straight from Pac-Man. One teaser shows some of the car’s interior instruments, including Boost buttons, driving mode settings, and a track mode. There also look to be orange seat belts.

 Hyundai Teases Insteroid Concept, Its Ultimate Pint-Sized EV

According to Hyundai, the Insteroid is a “thrilling ‘glitch’ in the automotive matrix, seamlessly merging the boundary-pushing aesthetics of video games with real-world engineering to create a vehicle that feels like it’s morphed straight out of a digital speedway.”

The road-going Inster, which itself is based on the Casper, is sold with a single electric motor delivering 95 hp in base form of 113 hp in the flagship version. Here’s hoping Hyundai fits a more potent powertrain to the Insteroid, perhaps the same dual-motor setup as the Ioniq 5 N which is used by the RN24 rolling lab model presented last year.

\\\\\\\\\\\
❌