Featured Hyundai IONIQ - Prius competitor?

The Sonata uses a step automatic transmission. Doesn't sound advanced, but the electric motor replaced the torque converter, which is the main efficiency loss on the automatic. In theory, it should be cheaper since you are using the same transmission as the ICE, and many prefer a step transmission to a CVT here.

 

Hyundai Ioniq Could Be First Real Challenger To Toyota Prius On Efficiency

My guess is this will be optimized for the phev version, and in charge deplete mode the new hyundai could exceed the 48 mpg hwy of the gen III prius. We need to wait and see to see how it stacks up against the gen IV prius and gen II volt.

2016 Toyota Prius Vs 2016 Chevrolet Volt: Video Test

 

Perhaps this is really a 'Prius c'/Volt competitor . . . a compact?

Bob Wilson

 

My guess is they targetted the gen III prius, but wanted a gap between this dedicated electrified platform (hv, phev, bev) and the sonata. Really I'm sure they didn't want to go head to head with the prius.

They wanted this more sporty. Gen IV prius also went more sporty, as market research dictated. Its lower to the ground in looks than the gen III, but the gen IV prius also did this. My guess is cargo room won't be as big as the prius, but passenger room may be.

Again the phev is probably the hook of this design. By the time it comes out phev in the global market ex japan may be bigger than hybrid if gas prices stay low. This car is probably bad news for gm with versions competing with the volt and bolt.

Its hyundai, so expect the bottom trim to compete against the prius c, still doubt prius c is a target. That market is much smaller outside japan, so it is not worth this dedicated design cost.

 

The true irony is GM buys their Volt batteries from Korea. In effect, GM helped build the Korean battery industry that is returning the favor with another Volt competitor. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

 

I don't get too excited when I hear anyone proclaim anything is a competitor to The Prius.
Nearly any vehicle that reaches the market that isn't just a standard ICE vehicle at some point get's the phrase "Prius Competitor" attached to it. That's the cost or truth about being one of the most successful "alternative" vehicles ever.

I honestly wouldn't mind if something came along that I would consider a legitimate competitor to The Prius. But until I see it, until I have information about specs, and a better idea of what the vehicle actually is? It's just a teaser.

IMO The Prius carved it's niche by being a utilizable and efficient vehicle. Even though with Gen 4 it seems Toyota is moving towards refinement and increasing it's curb appeal.

With evidently 3 different powertrains being available? Well there just isn't enough information to glean what Hyundai's expectations for this vehicle actually is, or how they plan to present or market it.

I do find it intriguing that it is evidently being built on it's own exclusive platform. So this isn't Hyundai Frankensteining an already existing model.

But before I proclaim something is a legitimate competitor to Prius, I want to see what walks into the ring. And just not enough information about the specifics of this product.

 

Those volt batteries come from Michigan now. LG is an international conglomerate and manufactures batteries in the good old USA for Chevy.

A123 the american battery company chevy attempted to buy from went bankrupt, and congress saw fit to allow the chinese to buy it, instead of forcing it to stay in the hands of a lower bid american company (JCI). In doing so the A123 debtors did better, but the US taxpayer ended up supporting chinese instead of american battery industry.

Without LG and Samsung, Panasonic which makes all their battery cells in asia until the gigafactory would have a monopoly in lithium like they do in nimh car batteries. Not to pick a nit, but why is a Korean company more evil than a japanese?

Battery competition is good, as is electrified (hybrid, phev, bev) competition. Ford is also planning to make a dedicated electrified platform to join the prius, volt, i3, leaf, model S, and this hyundai. Honda is going to make the gen II clarity phev and bev as well as fcv. 2018 looks to be a good time for electrified competition.

Let's welcome Hyundia in creating a more competitive dedicated platform.

Its not really a teaser. Hyundai is the highest cafe manufacturer outside of tesla in the US, and it wants to keep its position.

Key to this car is dedicated electrified platform. Key is hyundai is pulling out the tricks of the prius and leaf.

ICE is 1.6L di 40% efficient 105 hp and aggressive cooled egr. Versus the 2016 prius 1.8L port injected 40% efficient 96 hp and aggressive cooled egr. Hyundai lithium battery. Prius nimh in the base trim, lithium in all higher trims.
http://worldwide.hyundai.com/WW/Corporate/News/News/DF_WW_GLOBALNEWS_151027.html?selx2=

Gen 4 is moving in the same direction that this hyundai is.

With evidently 3 different powertrains being available? Well there just isn't enough information to glean what Hyundai's expectations for this vehicle actually is, or how they plan to present or market it.

I do find it intriguing that it is evidently being built on it's own exclusive platform. So this isn't Hyundai Frankensteining an already existing model.

I think people have to drive it and see how it is priced. Specs look good, but if hyundai sold the exact same prius as toyota, it would get almost no sales, because of reputations of the two companies, and toyota's history.

 

he didn't say they were evil, just that gm supporting them might help volt competitor. and added his trademark

 

Kim-shi.

Bob Wilson

 

kim-shi-hoo?

 

Hard for me to read tone on the internet.

Isn't more competition for green cars good? Maybe that was the point. Its not the bad old bob lutz gm selling ovonics patents to texaco so no one could use them. Its got at least a better attitude towards cars. GM's relationship with LC Chem is helping push down the cost of lithium batteries for all potential non japanese customers (My guess is these won't be allowed in japan market cars).

 

yes.

 

Bob Wilson

 

mmm...

 

Calling it a Prius Competitor, with as little information as is actually available about the product reduces the statement to being a Teaser.

Has nothing to do with the legitimacy of Hyundai as a company. I recognize that Hyundai is a legitimate automaker.

It may indeed become a competitor to The Prius, but we just don't have enough information to come to that conclusion.

 

What? What! You doubt the power of Power-Point engineering? In contrast, kim-she (the Southern version!) is real and much tastier than Chipotle.

Seriously, I am happy to see them entering the market. Just I fear it is another over-priced, limited-sales, CARB compliance vehicle.

Bob Wilson

 

Too early to tell on this subject other than Toy will start to pour on the Wasabe....maybe on Hyundai's wounds if they appear...we will see.
But competition is always good

 

That would be kinda pointless with the hybrid version. The Sonata PHV is 10 states at this time though.