Hyundai i-oniq concept: An electric sports hatchback that doesn’t mind showing off its curves

By Amir Iliaifar March 1, 2012

Hyundai-i-oniq-concept---An-electric-sports-hatchback-that-doesn't-mind-showing-off-its-curves — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Korean automaker Hyundai has diligently kept its i-oniq concept hidden from the public’s (and the internet’s) marauding eye for well over three months now. The sleek concept was set to make its public unveiling at the impending Geneva Motor Show, but before Hyundai had a chance to unveil the official image of its Geneva-bound hybrid-electric concept, some plucky chaps over at the Korean Car Blog have blown the lid off the first official image of the i-oniq.

The low slung and smooth-lined i-oniq certainly speaks volumes of Hyundai’s new “fluidic sculpture” design language. That’s basically a fancy way of saying that the i-oniq was designed to be both rugged and elegant. And we certainly agree with Hyundai — we like the way it looks. The i-oniq seems to juxtapose brilliantly smooth and soft lines across its body, while being expressively muscular.

If the i-oniq happens to evoke a decidedly European look, it’s no accident. According to an official Hyundai press release released back in December – when the car was originally teased – the i-oniq concept was designed and developed at Hyundai’s European R&D facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

hyundai-ioniq-teaser- — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hyundai’s latest concept measures 4.4 meters long and has been labeled an electric sports hatchback. It features a 1.0 liter three-cylinder gas engine mated to a 109 PS electric motor. According to Hyundai, the i-oniq will be able to achieve a range of 75 miles on electricity alone. This distance gets boosted to 435 miles with help from its electricity-producing gas engine.

No official production plans have been announced for the i-oniq — it is a concept after all — but we’re hoping if Hyundai do plan on producing a plug-in hybrid it takes its styling cues from the i-oniq.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…

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