Hyundai Reveals Electric i-oniq Sports Hatchback to Debut in Geneva

Hyundai releases a photograph of its electric i-oniq sports hatchback concept car with extended range that will debut March 6 at the Geneva Motor Show.

The car is intended to showcase the Korean auto maker’s new design language, with its long hood and sculptured form, and also hint at future powertrains.

The 4-seat concept is equipped with a 1.0L 3-cyl gasoline engine mated to a lithium-ion-powered electric motor that produces 109 hp. In electric-only mode, the i-oniq has a 74-mile (120-km) range and can travel up to 435 miles (700 km) with the gas-engine assist.

Developed at the Hyundai-Kia European R&D Center in Russelsheim, Germany, the i-oniq features a large “lounge style” interior, loaded with contemporary and future electronics.

“The i-oniq has been created to reflect the new thinking that runs through the Hyundai brand,” Allan Rushforth, COO and senior vice president-Hyundai Motor Europe, says in a statement.

Exterior styling carries Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture theme forward to an advanced stage with gentle feature lines and muscular surface look, topped with a penthouse roof.

Asked if the concept will get to the production stage, a Hyundai spokesman says, “that's a really a difficult question that depends on a lot of factors.”

Hyundai said in January it planned to spend 5.1 trillion won ($4.1 billion) this year on research and development, primarily for hybrid and electric-vehicle development, and 9 trillion won ($8.1 billion) on facilities.