Hyundai hopes to wow crowds at the Geneva show next week with what it calls the most powerful demonstration of its 'new thinking' to date.
The sports hatchback concept car, with a front-end design resembling Nissan's 350Z, evolves the company's 'fluidic sculpture' design language - meaning its gentle feature lines and muscular surface treatments could be a feature on future Hyundais.
NO COMPROMISE?
The i-oniq concept also strikes a fine balance between the attributes of petrol and electric power by offering a longer electric-only range than other plug-in hybrids that we've seen until now.
In electric-only mode, the 80kW lithium ion electric motor can manage a range of 120km while the 1-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine kicks in thereafter to extend the range to 700km.
All in all, Hyundai claims an average CO2 emission figure of just 45g/km.
The 4.4 metre-long hatch has space for four occupants in its driver-oriented cabin, complete with high-tech equipment in the driver interface and controls.
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Passengers, meanwhile, are treated to a lounge-style space designed to maximize comfort and featuring sculpted surfaces inspired by musical instruments.
In the words of Hyundai Europe's Senior VP Allan Rushforth: “The i-oniq concept has been created to reflect the new thinking that runs through the Hyundai brand.
“It has a bold design, inside and out, that provokes contemplation on the future of automotive possibilities, and a powertrain that highlights one of the ways in which we could power future products - wrapped in a package that exudes premium qualities.”
Is this really a sign of things to come? Time will tell…