HYUNDAI LAUNCHES LITE, PLUS VARIANTS OF THE IONIQ 6 IN MALAYSIA

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has expanded the IONIQ 6 range in Malaysia to include two new variants – Lite and Plus – complementing the Max RWD and Max AWD variants that were launched to much fanfare in July.

“Public response to the Hyundai IONIQ 6 has been very encouraging, with many impressed by the Electrified Streamliner’s advanced technology, striking silhouette, aerodynamic efficiency and performance. Now, we’re making the triple-2023 World Car Awards winner available to a broader spectrum of Malaysian buyers,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Retail and Distribution of Sime Darby Motors Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau.

Holder of three prestigious global awards – 2023 World Car of the Year, 2023 World Electric Vehicle of the Year and 2023 World Car Design of the Year – the streamlined all-electric sedan is Hyundai’s second IONIQ model and also its second recipient of the three aforementioned World Car Awards after the IONIQ 5 in 2022.

The new Lite and Plus variants of the IONIQ 6 are single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles. Their 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery feeds a 111 kW motor that produces the same 350 Nm torque figure as the Max RWD, sprinting both Lite and Plus variants to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 8.8 seconds.

Range is 429 km on the stringent WLTP cycle, and thanks to the 800-volt architecture shared with the Max variants, the IONIQ 6 Lite and Plus can also charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, given the maximum of 350 kW DC. In fact, when plugged in to less powerful chargers, the Lite and Plus have shorter charging times than the Max variants – 10% to 80% takes 58 minutes at 50 kW DC while 0% to 100% takes 5.5 hours at 11 kW AC.

The Lite and Plus variants share much of the Max variants’ equipment, including seven airbags (including a front-centre airbag), Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), two seamlessly connected 12.3-inch screens, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, a power tailgate and much more, evoking the same levels of modern luxury, advanced technology and futuristic sophistication.

“In introducing the new Lite and Plus variants of the IONIQ 6, HSDM is bringing the current pinnacle of Hyundai’s electric vehicle line-up, and a truly globally-acclaimed EV, within reach of more Malaysian buyers, thereby increasing the choices that suit their lifestyles. The IONIQ 6 range in Malaysia now begins at RM219,888 for the Lite RWD before moving on to RM249,888 for the Plus RWD, complementing the existing Max variants,” said Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

All prices are on-the-road before insurance and are inclusive of an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty. For an additional RM10,000, the standard vehicle warranty is upgradable to five years/100,000 km, and attached to this is three years/50,000 km of free service. The free one-year Shell Recharge Gold membership for the first 30 owners upon vehicle delivery continues to apply.

Bookings for the IONIQ 6 can be made at any authorised Hyundai sales outlet nationwide as well as on the online booking platform Cl!cktoBuy (https://www.hyundai.com.my/clicktobuy/). The same five body colours offered with the Max variants, namely Abyss Black Pearl, Nocturne Grey Matte, Biophilic Blue Pearl, Dive Blue Solid and Gravity Gold Matte, are available on the Lite and Plus variants. Deliveries of the IONIQ 6 Lite and Plus are set to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.