“Shall we show a different move from EV9?” What are the characteristics of Hyundai’s IONIQ 7, which is scheduled to be released in the first half of the year?

[M Today Reporter Lim Heon-seop] With Hyundai Motor Company suspending operations at its Asan plant in South Chungcheong Province for construction of electric vehicle production facilities, the next-generation large electric SUV ‘Ioniq 7’, which was announced to be launched in the first half of this year, is attracting attention again.

IONIQ 7 is Hyundai Motor Company’s third dedicated electric vehicle model with a futuristic exterior that reflects the styling of the previously released concept car ‘SEVEN’ plus the latest family look, and is an E-GMP platform exclusively for electric vehicles. Based on this, it is reported that it will secure a large interior space and a long driving range.

Looking at spy shots and predictions captured at home and abroad, first of all, the front part is equipped with horizontally connected parametric pixel daytime running lights. However, unlike the concept car, the daytime running lights have become thicker, and the three-line graphics are eye-catching.

The headlamps are placed vertically on the bumper. The inner graphic is densely applied with 12 cube-style LEDs, and it is presumed that a reflector is applied inside to give a jewel-like sparkling effect when the lamp is turned on.

In addition, the lower center part is equipped with a lidar panel, and the left and right HDP sensors for level 3 autonomous driving and the chrome frame surrounding them stand out. The bumper has a skid plate as large as the car body and an integrated air flap for battery cooling.

The side part features a unique silhouette, such as the A-pillar that lies gently like the Seven Concept and the roof line that falls gently in a parabolic shape. The belt line also shows dynamism with a design that rises sharply from the D-pillar.

As with other IONIQ series, an auto-flush door handle was applied, and the dynamism of the SUV was expressed through square-shaped cladding.

At the rear, tail lamps are placed vertically at both ends, and micropixel LED graphics are also applied. The full-glass design introduced in the Seven Concept was changed to a regular tailgate shape for safety reasons.

The interior has a spacious and stable layout with a lounge feel like a concept car. A wide infotainment display incorporating a digital cluster and center display is applied. The physical buttons are also drastically reduced, emphasizing a future-oriented atmosphere.

The powertrain is a battery with a capacity of 99.8 kWh and aims for a driving range of more than 482 km based on EPA standards when fully charged. However, as battery efficiency improves, the driving range is expected to increase.

In addition, it is operated in rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, and a large number of electric vehicle-specific specifications are applied, such as a boost option that instantly increases output, an ultra-fast charging system based on an 800V high-voltage system, V2L, and over-the-air software update (OTA).

Meanwhile, Hyundai’s IONIQ 7 will compete with Kia EV9, Volvo EX90, Polestar Polestar 3, and Tesla Model X. However, pricing appears to be the key as the EV9, which was released first, failed to be a box office hit in Korea due to its high price.