Hyundai is making quite the splash at the New York International Auto Show this year.
Each one of the South Korean automaker's three display areas screams, whether it's the trio of distinct Ioniq models prominently featured in the Hyundai exhibit, the G90 and G80 sedans of its new Genesis luxury brand or a standalone showcase for the head-turning Genesis New York sports concept.
No clutter. No filler. Just a drive into the future, highlighting how Hyundai will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future with the impending release of these rides. We had a chance to get behind the wheel of each vehicle at the NYIAS and all are intriguing for their own reasons.
For starters, Hyundai made strong impact with the bold U.S. debut of its three 2017 Ioniq models. Why have three of the same model lined up at an auto show? Well, despite the different colors and identical looks, each of the Ioniq models was severely different. A ceramic-white colored Ioniq to the left was electric, the electric blue metallic one was an Ioniq hybrid and the summit gray-tone model was a plug-in.
The automaker claims it's the first in the world to offer three unique electrified powertrains on a single, dedicated vehicle platform. The mere sight of the three new vehicles lined up at the Jacob Javits Convention Center was one thing, but knowing that none are gas-powered is the kind of thing that makes auto show impact.
The Ioniq electric touts pure electric mobility with a 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery for an estimated driving range of 110 miles with a maximum output of 120 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Ioniq hybrid model houses a lithium-ion battery, with 1.56 kWh capacity, positioned under the rear passenger seats, while giving drivers 139 horsepower with low emissions. Finally, the Ioniq plug-in combines an electric motor with an all-electric range of more than 25 miles with a 1.6 direct-injected Atkinson four-cylinder Kappa engine.
While the three unique electrified powertrains of the Ioniq would have been enough of a reveal from Hyundai, the automaker continued to impress us as we walked over to Genesis, its newly-launched luxury brand. If you remember, Genesis used to be the name of Hyundai's luxury sedan for years, before the company announced this past November that it was making the model the name for its own high-end luxury class.
Although the Genesis exhibit only featured two cars, it didn't lack any punch, whatsoever. Resting in front of the G80 was the G90 flagship luxury sedan of the newly-introduced brand. Just about eight inches longer than the G80, the G90 will be offered in a 5.0-liter, V8 package with 420 roaring horsepower, slated to be available this summer with the G80 to follow during the fall.
If I would have just seen the Ioniq models or the two Genesis vehicles, I would have left the NYIAS holding Hyundai in a high regard. But if those reveals weren't enough, the automaker really outdid itself with its standalone display, showing off its Genesis New York concept luxury sports sedan.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz should be concerned by this bold, but elegant sports stud — not to mention, the entire Genesis brand.
Hyundai is revved up for the future. Its reveals at the NYIAS are proof.
