You can now buy a Made-in-Singapore Hyundai Ioniq 6

Things are chugging along steadily at the Smart Factory run by Korean carmaker Hyundai at its Innovation Centre in Jurong. And now, instead of just the Ioniq 5, local drivers can look forward to calling another fully electric model by the firm one of Singapore's own.

On Friday morning (19 July 2024), the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) celebrated the launch of the first made-in-Singapore Ioniq 6s. Guests at the media launch event were also given the chance to get a taxi ride of the locally-assembled car on the Innovation Centre's Sky Track, and savour a specially-prepared menu at its in-house fine-dining restaurant, Na Oh.

Made for Singapore, made in Singapore: The Ioniq 6 joins the Ioniq 5 as the second locally-assembled Hyundai EV to go on sale here 

If the Ioniq 6 already sounds like a familiar name - and even feels like a familiar sight on Singapore's roads - your senses haven't been playing tricks on you. The electric sedan (also dubbed an "electrified streamliner" thanks to its, well, extremely streamlined silhouette) was first launched in Singapore in a sole dual-motor all-wheel drive variant back in July last year, before a single-motor rear-wheel drive variant briefly hit our shores too at the 2024 Singapore Motor Show. Those cars, however, were manufactured in and imported from South Korea.

With all locally-sold units of the Ioniq 6 now also set to assembled at HMGICS moving forward, however, Hyundai is now widening the spread of flavours from which customers can make their ideal choice.

The made-in-Singapore Ioniq 6 will now be sold in four different trim levels, out of which three powertrain variants will be available. In fact, you might notice that the model lineup mirrors exactly that of the made-in-Singapore Ioniq 5.

The first two trims make the cut for a Category A COE, and starts with the Ioniq 6 Exclusive 53kWh, before moving up to the more sumptuously-equipped Ioniq 6 Prestige 53kWh.

Among the four trim levels that are now freshly available to customers are two Cat A COE-eligible ones: The Ioniq 6 Exclusive 53kWh and the more premium Ioniq 6 Prestige 53kWh 

As their names suggest, both trims see a 53kWh battery pack powering a single electric motor that sends 143bhp and 350Nm of torque to the rear wheels. At launch, the two Cat A trims are retailing at under $200,000, inclusive of COE.

Moving into Cat B, the Ioniq 6 Prestige 77kWh also gets a single-motor rear-wheel drive setup, but sees a larger 77kWh battery powering a more powerful electric motor that puts out a maximum of 225bhp instead.

Interestingly, since the Ioniq 6 boasts a far more aerodynamically efficient body, the Prestige 77kWh trim now holds the honour of being the longest-legged Hyundai EV on our shores: With an impressive WLTP-rated range of up to 614km. HMGICS has called this "the best of both worlds" since it blends slightly more power with the best all-electric range of the pack.

As with the Ioniq 5 lineup, the flagship of the refreshed Ioniq 6 range is once more the Ioniq 6 Inspiration 77kWh, which gets an extra electric motor mounted on the front axle, and is thus also all-wheel driven. Combined output from both motors is 321bhp and an incredible 605Nm of torque, sending the electric sedan from zero to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds. At the same time, the Ioniq 6 Inspiration 77kWh still boasts a healthy WLTP-rated range of 514km.

The range-topping Ioniq 6 Inspiration 77kWh packs the most power - 321bhp and 605Nm of torque from its dual motors - but is still capable of a commendable maximum range of 514km on a full charge (WLTP-rated)

While the single-motor trims ride on 18-inch wheels, marking the dual-motor Ioniq 6 Inspiration 77kWh on the outside are 20-inch wheels shod in ultra-high performance Michelin P Zero tyres.

On the inside, this range topping trim also gets an exclusive BOSE premium audio system, consisting of seven speakers and a subwoofer with an amplifier, as well as Hyundai's own e-ASD (Active Sound Design). According to the brand, the e-ASD, which made its debut on the Ioniq 6, relies on an acoustic design processor to "provide unique driving sounds inside the cabin". 

Regardless of which trim level buyers go for, however, the Ioniq 6 continues to delight with its space at the rear thanks to its flat floor and 2,950mm wheelbase, as well as calming and modern cockpit up front. Standard across the range are twin 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment screen and instrument cluster, indoor and outdoor Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, as well as a good suite of safety assistance features (these are enhanced further starting from the Prestige 53kWh trim).

On the inside, the Ioniq 6 continues to pack practicality and modernity in equal measure thanks to its minimalist cockpit up front, and generous amount of legroom for passengers in the rear

But beyond just the expanded diversity of flavours available, potential buyers will be happy to note that the made-in-Singapore Ioniq 6 now boasts added functionality that previous units did not offer. 

Among the enhanced (and unprecedented) connectivity features enabled by local production are seamless pairing with the Singapore-specific Hyundai Bluelink app and its Connected Car Services. 

In addition, all made-in-Singapore Ioniq 6s are capable of receiving over-the-air (OTA) vehicle software updates as soon as they are released - which means that owners will be able to receive the newest improvements (such as the latest maps and infotainment features) without the need to visit a dealership. 

The Hyundai Bluelink Singapore app provides owners with added functionality, including the ability to locate charging points (and then send directions directly to the car's navigation system), as well as monitor's the car charge status, or pre-set the climate control (Hyundai Ioniq 5 Inspiration 77kWh pictured) 

Over the past year, Hyundai has also steadily grown its network of partners to make the ownership experience for owners of its EVs more fuss-free when it comes to recharging their cars. This growth has been executed on three main fronts: Including home charging, destination charging, and finally, on-demand (or mobile) charging.

For customers living on private landed property, a partnership with Schneider Electric - one of the leading AC charging providers in Singapore - sees Hyundai offering a three-year product warranty for customers who install the latest wallbox chargers from the firm at their homes. Specific to these new chargers are the extended length of their charging cables - which make charging access easier regardless of the position in which an owner has parked their Hyundai EV.

Separately, Hyundai is continuing its partnership with P.UP to provide drivers of its made-in-Singapore EVs with five on-demand charges a month across the first year of ownership. As a mobile charging service provider, P.UP operates a fleet of electric vans which essentially function as roving charging stations that can recharge a driver's EV at their own convenience.

Hyundai has been hard at work to develop a well-rounded charging ecosystem for its EV-owners, and now has partners in three key areas: Home charging, destination charging, as well as on-demand (or mobile) charging 

P.UP currently also offers Hyundai EV-owners a complimentary 12-month emergency rescue service, which includes emergency charging, 12V battery replacement, and in the most dire scenarios, towing (for up to two times per year).

Finally, the brand has expanded the number of partners under its Flexible Charging Credits scheme to 17 charging point operators (CPOs) across the island. These include heavyweights in the space today such as new partner SP Mobility, Shell Recharge, CDG ENGIE, as well as Charge+ (the full list can be viewed here). The latter's charging network even promises seamless charging across the Southeast Asian region, with service areas set to include Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. 

Under the scheme, OCBC credit card holders also get to enjoy charging rebates when they register their cards on the respective smartphone apps of Hyundai’s charging partners.

The reintroduction of Ioniq 6 now marks the third model line to be assembled with the Group's cell-based production platform in Jurong, after the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 5 Robotaxi.

Speaking on the launch of the electric sedan, Dr. Hyun Sung Park, CEO of HMGICS, said, "We are pleased to launch our next made-in-Singapore EV, the IONIQ 6, through HMGICS's advanced manufacturing technologies with AI, Robotics, and Digital Twin."

"Along with the enhanced charging solutions our partners offer, we believe that the IONIQ 6 will offer an elevated quality and driving experience for customers in Singapore, easing the adoption of EVs and contributing to Singapore’s sustainable ecosystem and mobility journey," he added.

The locally-assembled Ioniq 6 is now on sale, with prices starting from $192,150 for the Exclusive 53kWh RWD variant, including COE.