After Kia’s entry into the premium electric vehicle segment in India with the EV6, its sister brand, Hyundai, is expected to launch its flagship electric crossover – the Ioniq 5 – in the country early next year. The EV crossover was recently spotted testing in Chennai under a heavy camouflage.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 will get a 58kWh battery pack
- Likely to be priced under Rs 50 lakh
Like its sister model, the EV6, the Ioniq 5 is based on Hyundai Group’s e-GMP platform but unlike Kia, Hyundai will locally assemble its model.
Hyundai Ioniq 5: powertrain details
For the global markets, the Ioniq 5 is available with a 58kWh battery with a single 169hp motor, as well as a recently introduced larger 77.4kWh battery pack that gives the EV crossover a claimed range of 506km.
However, sources tell us that Hyundai will launch the base version with a 58kWh battery pack and a single electric motor in India. The smaller battery pack gives the Ioniq 5 a claimed range of 383km on a single charge.
Hyundai Ioniq 5: local assembly, price and India launch
We had previously reported that Hyundai will locally assemble the Ioniq 5 for sale in India, which will enable the company to price the EV crossover more competitively than the Kia EV6 that comes to India as a CBU. This is due to the customs duty difference that we have in the country between CBU and CKD (Completely Knocked Down) cars. That, and the likelihood of Hyundai launching the electric crossover with only a smaller 58kWh battery pack, means that the Ioniq 5 will likely undercut the Kia EV6 by some margin. A source in Hyundai had told us that the carmaker is targeting a sub-Rs 50 lakh price for the Ioniq 5. For reference, prices for the Kia EV6 start at Rs 59.96 lakh.
When it is launched in India, it will take on the recently launched Volvo XC40 Recharge and the Kia EV6, and will also compete with similarly priced EVs like the Mini Cooper SE.
Also see:
Hyundai Ioniq 5 review, test drive