The European Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV is receiving updates, some of which could be coming to Australia.
CarExpert understands additional features could arrive locally as part of a model year update, which may also bring additional trim levels.
Hyundai Australia has yet to confirm when such a model year update would be introduced.
It’s still opening ordering in batches, with the next phase set for late February or early March, as it battles high demand and limited supply.
It hasn’t specified how many vehicles will be included in this batch.
The European updates include the introduction of thermal battery preconditioning and Smart Frequency Damping, which will be available on Ioniq 5 models delivered in the second half of 2022.
The preconditioning feature allows the car to adapt its battery temperature while travelling to ensure optimal charging conditions upon reaching a charging point entered into the navigation system.
It’s intended to improve charging performance in cold climates.
Smart Frequency Dampers are said to improve the response of the front and rear suspension to increase ride comfort and improve body control.
They’re in addition to new features that were already available in Korea, like digital side mirrors.
Korean buyers can also opt for a solar roof that can trickle charge the battery, as well as an augmented reality head-up display.
It’s unclear just how many of these features will be coming to the local-spec Ioniq 5, though CarExpert understands the trick camera mirrors could be available on the related Genesis GV60 due here in the first half of this year.
Off the table for now in the Ioniq 5 is the larger 77.4kWh battery pack that’s also offered in North America, with Hyundai Australia saying there are no current plans to introduce this here.
The current two-model range in Australia uses a 72.6kWh battery.
“We have plans to expand the IONIQ 5 range and introduce lower trim grade models, but we can’t confirm timing on this yet,” said a spokesperson for Hyundai Australia.
The company is working on expanding the local offering to include the shorter-range 58kWh battery option available overseas, which offers 384km of range (WLTP) compared to the 451km claim of the 2WD version with the long-range 72.6kWh battery.
Though the Ioniq 5 is currently offered in two variants – one with rear-wheel drive, the other with all-wheel drive – it’s only offered with one highly-specified trim level.
Hyundai Australia may offer up to three trim levels, much as it does in markets like the US.
The company will offer the next batch of Ioniq 5s in either late February or early March, though it hasn’t said how many will be included.
Instead of flinging open the order books and taking deposits left right and centre, Hyundai has been offering Ioniq 5s to order in batches based on region.
It had intended to bring in 400 initially but ended up securing only an initial 240 vehicles for Australia in 2021.
Subsequently, it opened orders to customers in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in December.
Around 100 vehicles were included in this batch.
Subsequently in January, around 70 more were offered to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth buyers
Hyundai has followed this methodical rollout to avoid having a vast number of buyers waiting an inordinate amount of time for an Ioniq 5 they’ve ordered.
