Hyundai launches upgraded Ioniq electric, hybrid models

Hyundai Motor, Korea’s largest carmaker, on Thursday unveiled upgraded versions of its Ioniq hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) with enhanced safety features and better range.

The company said the new Ioniq EVs, conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models are equipped with enhanced features, such as a safety unlock system, a driver attention warning and a high beam assist.

A driver attention warning is designed to help monitor driving patterns in order to detect reckless or fatigued driving and prevent potential accidents.

If the system detects inattentive driving patterns, an audible sound and message on the display panel will bring this to the driver’s attention, according to the carmaker.

Hyundai said a high beam assist detects both oncoming vehicles and vehicles in the same lane ahead at night and changes to low-beam lights as appropriate, thereby reducing blinding effects on other drivers. The function automatically re-activates the high beams and therefore maximizes the driver’s range of vision as soon as no vehicles are detected.

Hyundai said its new Ioniq EV has a range of 200 kilometers on a single charge, compared with 191 kilometers in a previous model.

The new Ioniq series of cars sells for 22 million won to 42.15 million won ($20,000-$39,000).

Yonhap