Hyundai Motor Company is showcasing three of its latest eco-focused models, the IONIQ Electric, IONIQ Hybrid and IONIQ Plug-in Hybrid at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Elantra Sport, unveiled in the fall of 2016, will also be featured at the Detroit event.

“IONIQ will attract an entirely new group of eco- and efficiency-oriented buyers in the U.S. market,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Corporate, Product and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America.

“With outstanding powertrain flexibility, design, connectivity, and advanced technologies, IONIQ meets the needs of a large and growing group of buyers needing a highly efficient, low-emissions vehicle without compromise to their daily lifestyles.”

The IONIQ is the first and only car in the industry to offer a choice of three electrified powertrain options within a single platform.

Three electrified forms of propulsion in just one body shape is something unprecedented in a mass market brand.

This is proof of Hyundai’s commitment to a plan that will see it selling 28 eco-friendly vehicles worldwide by 2020.

In two key areas, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has the technological edge on its competitors, chiefly.

This is because it employs the more modern lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack as opposed to the older nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) fare.

Located underneath the rear seats to optimise both weight distribution and interior packaging, Hyundai has chosen Li-ion.

It is because it has lower memory sensitivity, better charge/discharge efficiency and higher maximum output than Ni-MH.

And the Hyundai lands its second big punch into the Prius’ midriff, thanks to the adoption of a six-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox.

This is rather than a flawed continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Korean company said it has done this because of the ‘poor responsiveness and increased levels of engine noise’ a CVT brings.

Step aboard and here we have another Hyundai benchmark.

Again, these cabins have the copper or blue themes according to the motive power.

But both feature the company’s first-ever digital instrument cluster, which is a beauty.

It’s all tightly screwed together and neatly styled, while it’s also spacious enough for four big adults and it has a decent 443-litre luggage volume.

The Hybrid can actually run on EV power alone, but it will only achieve this for very short periods of time.

In essence, the Ioniq uses its electric power to move off and when it’s coasting, otherwise utilising that petrol motor to keep things ticking along.

And it stays quiet, even during hard acceleration. Hyundai has worked hard on the refinement of the Ioniq – and it shows.

A drag coefficient of 0.24 means the Hybrid hardly ruffles the air as it scythes through it and the exertions of the engine/gearbox are never intrusive.

In fact, it’s tyre noise on the optional 17s that permeates the cabin most, but even that’s not unbearable.

Such hushed manners couple with excellent ride quality, both around town and out of it, to set the refinement bar high.

Source: carpenters motors