Spyshots: Hyundai Ioniq Spotted In Shah Alam

Is Hyundai launching a hybrid model in Malaysia? That possibility was teased earlier this year when the company put the Ioniq on display at the My Auto Fest 2016 exhibition held in Mines Convention Centre (MIECC) earlier this year.

Today, an anonymous reader sent us images of the same vehicle being spotted in the vicinity of Shah Alam. We can’t spot any building markers, but judging from the fact that the vehicle was being driven into a building compound, we are speculating that this picture was taken outside the complex of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors’ HQ in Glenmarie.

The HSDM complex in Glenmarie is a regional training centre for Hyundai; we have, over the years, spotted many different Hyundai models on the premises grounds that were never introduced or even considered for introduction in our market. As such, this does not necessarily mean that the Ioniq is slated for introduction for Malaysia, although the possibility is there.

Similar to the Prius for Toyota, the Ioniq is conceived by Hyundai to be a dedicated electrified-propulsion-only model without a regular petrol or diesel variant. Unlike the Prius, however, the Ioniq also offers the option of a full electric powertrain in addition to hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

The hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants feature a 1.6-litre Atkinson cycle petrol direct injection engine generating 105PS and 147Nm. In combination with outputs of 43.5PS and 170Nm from its electric motor, the powertrain setup generates a net system output of 141PS. Drive goes to the front wheels via a 6-speed dual clutch transmission.