Hyundai announces IONIQ 5 EV complete with solar panel roof

In a virtual world premiere event today, Hyundai officially announced the IONIQ 5 – a fully electric, mid-size CUV (crossover SUV)  with a raft of tech as standard, including (optional extra) solar panels on the roof. 

Originally seen at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show as the 45 EV concept, the car has had a few design tweaks to get it to its current form – the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It is the first model in Hyundai’s new IONIQ brand dedicated to battery electric vehicles (BEV). 

IONIQ 5 is available with a range of power electric (PE) configurations to fit the mobility needs of every customer, claims the manufacturer. Customers can select from two battery pack options, either 58 kWh or 72.6 kWh, and two electric motor layouts, either with a rear motor only or with both front and rear motors. All PE variations provide outstanding range, claims Hyundai, and can deliver a top speed of 185 km/h.

The IONIQ 5 can also be equipped with an eco-friendly solar roof, which supports the vehicle’s electric power source by collecting energy and transferring it to the battery pack, improving efficiency. The solar roof can prevent battery discharge while providing an additional driving range. Hyundai says that the solar panels can add up to 2,000km per year (around 5-6km per day) of additional range if it’s driven in sunny environments such as Spain or the south of France.

At the top of the electric motor lineup is an all-wheel drive (AWD) option paired with the 72.6-kWh battery, producing a combined power output of 225-kWh and 605 Nm of torque. This PE configuration can go from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.  When equipped with two-wheel drive (2WD) and 72.6-kWh battery, IONIQ 5’s maximum driving range on a single charge will be around 470 to 480 km, according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standard.

With a 350-kW charger, the IONIQ 5 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. IONIQ 5 users only need to charge the vehicle for five minutes to get 100 km of range, according to WLTP. IONIQ 5 also provides an innovative V2L function, which means the car can be used to charge other electric devices, such as electric bicycles, scooters or camping equipment. 

On board is a dual cockpit with a 12-inch, full-touch infotainment screen and hoodless 12- inch digital gauge cluster that can be customized to meet customers’ needs as well as an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD), essentially turning the windshield into a display screen.

The IONIQ 5 is also equipped with the next level of Hyundai SmartSense: an advanced driver assistance system. IONIQ 5 is the first Hyundai model to offer Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2). Other driving assistance systems include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), and more.

Customers can choose from nine exterior colours, including five nature-inspired hues exclusive to IONIQ 5. The interior has three color options. The IONIQ 5 will be available in the UK by mid 2021.

IONIQ 5 Specifications: 

The vehicle specifications and features may vary depending on country/region.