Featured Hyundai IONIQ - Prius competitor?

evpv - I have not seen anywhere that the Ioniq projected fuel efficiency is as low as 45 mpg. Can you identify your source?

I've read numbers more like 55 mpg (US) combined city/highway. I've also read the Ioniq ICE/auto transmission favors highway milage ..... meaning it is anticipated that it will not do quite as well as the Prius in city driving, but better at highway speed. A few owners are starting to take delivery elsewhere, and they are reporting very high numbers.

I'm looking forward to reading more reliable, direct comparisons of the two.

 

My guess is he just used a worse case to highlight the point of his post.

Earlier in this thread, the official S.Korea numbers were posted, and the Ioniq was between the gen3 and gen4 in combined. Perhaps Hyundai has gotten enough on the road feedback to be able to tweak something for better results. Toyota did it on the Aqua to best the Jazz hybrid a year after the latter arrived. Really, just a 50mpg combined would be great in a car that will likely start lower than the Prius in price.

I think the Sonata hybrid city and highway numbers are the same as the Camry hybrid's, just flipped so the higher is the highway. Perhaps the Ioniq can be used against diesel fanboys on the highway front.

 

like the insight, will toyota react, or sit by idly?

 

10

 

9

 

[edit] wow sorry - that was my 1st ever tapatalk butt dial post
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i thought you were rating me.

 

Toyota is the hybrid leader. They really don't need to react. With the Insight2, the gen2 Prius was on the way out, and cutting its price wasn't a burden. Now, gen4 price cuts can simply be due to low gas prices and sluggish sales, as opposed to the Ioniq arriving.

How will they react to the Ioniq BEV though?

 

my guess is that toyota is already developing bev's (as they have stated) and will release one when they feel the time is right. if the ionique is more popular than current offerings, or if bolt, leaf and whoever else start to gain enough market share, it may be sooner than later.
as is generally the case with toyota, even though they won't be the pioneer, they will likely be competitive.

 

Compared to a hybrid, or even an ICE car, a BEV is easy to design and build. It isn't a technical issue for Toyota, but one of corporate culture. They appear to be more focused on Japan, which is understandable. Plugins there aren't as practical there has elsewhere because of the grid structure. So Toyota is focused more on FCEVs.

When fueled by hydrogen as Toyota and Japan's government is backing, FCEVs just aren't practical in the rest of the world where they have a chance of selling, but Toyota is lobbying for them in order get the cars more affordable for the home market. So they have been ignoring the BEV market.

 

I thought this was interesting:

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS, Utah – A race-prepared Hyundai Ioniq hybrid prototype, developed by Hyundai Motor America’s Engineering and Quality team, set an FIA-approved production-based hybrid vehicle land speed record of 157.825 mph, with a peak exit speed of 160.7 mph at Utah’s renowned Bonneville Salt Flats. The eco-focused Ioniq is Hyundai’s newest hybrid model, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains to be available. Ioniq hybrid and electric models go on sale in the U.S. in late 2016.

The development team made a number of special modifications to the Ioniq hybrid prototype to break the hybrid record, including:
Powertrain

• Low-restriction intake and exhaust systems with retained catalyst
• Engine, transmission, and hybrid ECU recalibrated and governors removed
• Air conditioning and ancillary accessories removed
• Nitrous Express single-stage direct-port nitrous injection with stand-alone fuel system, cockpit-controlled

Aerodynamics/Lightweighting

• Ioniq Electric model front grille and valance integration
• Underbody and air dam aerodynamic modifications
• Interior components removed or lightened

Suspension

• Progress Competition coil-over suspension with optimized spring, damping and sway bar rates and ride height lowered 100mm
• Lightweight aero wheels and wheel covers with Goodyear® Eagle tires

Safety

• Fully-integrated high-strength safety cage structure (Bisimoto-designed)
• Sparco® 6-point safety harness system, racing seat, and driver safety gear
• On-board fire-suppression system, battery disconnects and parachute

 

That must be package 11 ... for those that saw the movie spinal tap.

On a more serious note, I found a picture.

I do like those spun wheel covers
do not know .... the parachute seems a bit much.
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Trollbait - I see your post above where you made a comment on this thread. Hopefully you will see this post.

Several months ago I asked you about the Ioniq's belt driven starter/generator. I was concerned .... even doubtful.
You seemed to not be too concerned about the set-up.
Today, I was reading about Mercedes new ICE development. 4, 6 and 8 cylinder. engines. What caught my interest was that they are using a "belt driven starter/generator." The article continued to explain the virtues of the set-up.

So ... my confidence in your opinion was demonstrated. Thanks.

 

Could Bob now have a new project for his remaining Prius?

 

These hybrid starter/generators(HSG) are the heart of many mild hybrids. Recall GM's eAssist was originally known as BAS; the B and A were for belt assist. It might have been over priced for the gains, but I don't remember any news of reliability being an issue for it.

 

Watch out for "fake" hybrids from big manufacturers - Gasbuddy Gas Prices

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And a fine rating number it is, if I do say so myself.

 

That article is over four years old. The Malibu hybrid under discussion was the one with eAssist, which was last available in 2013. It was connected to an older tech engine. A new engine with start/stop was able to match that combination.

GM hasn't given up on eAssist though. They offered on several hundred of their pick ups in California under a test program. The eAssist was only a $500 option.

Mild hybrids won't full ones on fuel savings, but the lower cost could get more people into one, or even allow them to be standard equipment.

 

With about 7 weeks until the end of the year, still waiting for IONIQ or something like it. However, press demo rides have reached the UK:

Bob Wilson

 

very entertaining and informative.

huh, i've always called them hund-eye. funny how they've gone with the mirai/prime gills.

hatch space looks interesting. looks like infotainment might blow toyota out of the water.