Hyundai i-oniq Concept revealed

Hyundai i-oniq-Concept arrives at Geneva 2012

The Hyundai i-oniq Concept has been revealed ahead of Geneva 2012 as a range-extender hatchback with 75 mile EV range.

We had a single teaser image of the Hyundai i-oniq Concept back in December, with the promise it was heading towards Geneva 2012, and with Geneva looming in just a few days Hyundai has revealed the first photo of the i-oniq.

The i-oniq is a sports hatch designed to showcase the direction Hyundai is heading, and it showcases the direction of Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design and its new technology.

A bit longer than the Hyundai Veloster, the i-oniq is a four-seat sports hatchback with gentle lines and a muscular surface (if that makes sense), with a ‘penthouse roof and LED headlights which Hyundai say conveys ‘Premium’ and ‘Sporty’, which is the direction Hyundai seem keen to go.

Inside the i-oniq offers lounge-style space for passengers with sculpted seats which were, apparently, inspired by musical instruments and contrast with the sport-focused driver area.

Under the bonnet the i-oniq sports a 1.0 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine which acts as a range-extender for the 108bhp electric motor. It has an electric only range of 75 miles from a plug-in charge and a total range of 435 miles including the range-extending 3-pot. There’s the usual daft claims for economy (although Hyundai don’t give us figures for economy) and emissions at just 45g/km.

It doesn’t look like the i-oniq is signalling a new model from Hyundai, it is instead a showcase for Hyundai design and technology.

The Hyundai i-oniq Concept will be on Hyundai’s stand at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

By Cars UK