The Korean car maker has finally given the green light for the launch of its hybrid car, the Ioniq, in India. “We have just finished conducting an extensive customer clinic in Delhi and the feedback has been quite positive” says Y.K. Koo, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India who is keen to launch the Ioniq as quickly as possible to ensure Toyota’s new Prius isn’t the country’s premiere hybrid.
Also, the promotion of cleaner hybrid and electric vehicles is high on India’s agenda with the crackdown on vehicular emission by policy makers, activists, environmental agencies and the courts. Hyundai is keen to ride this green wave and will use next year’s Auto Expo in February to showcase its eco-friendly potential. “We have decided to launch the Ioniq at next year’s Auto Expo” confirmed Koo who also added, “the Ioniq will not be a CBU (import) but will be a CKD (completely-knocked-down) unit.”
After witnessing the success of the locally built Toyota Camry, Hyundai is confident it can sell enough Ioniqs to justify local production – an average of 100 Ioniqs every month. The carmaker may price the car around ₹30 lakh, which is much cheaper than Toyota’ Prius, which should give this car a substantial advantage. The Ioniq made its global debut in early 2016 and is powered by a combination of a 1.6-litre GDi petrol motor developing 102hp and 146.4Nm of torque and a 42.4hp electric motor with 169.4Nm of pulling power, resulting in a total output of 144.2hp and 315.8Nm. Power is channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.