Hyundai’s Ioniq hybrid sedan has been awarded a five-star safety rating in the latest round of ASEAN NCAP crash tests. The model scored an overall 91.98 out of a total of 100, thanks to far above average scores in adult occupancy, child occupancy and safety assist technology and systems.
Safety features on offer for the Singapore-spec model (manufactured in South Korea) include seven airbags, ABS, stability control, lane departure and forward collision warning, lane-keep assist and a blind-spot detection system. The Malaysian-spec model gets the blind-spot monitoring system as an optional extra. Both the models were taken for testing by ASEAN NCAP for the rating.
The Korean brand had showcased the Ioniq Hybrid and the all-electric version of the sedan at the 2018 Auto Expo – the former has a total system output of 139hp and 265Nm of torque, of which 43hp and 170Nm is provided by the 1.56kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery. The Ioniq EV gets an electric motor that produces 120hp and 295Nm of torque, and has a claimed range of 280km.
While Hyundai had plans to bring the hybrid Ioniq to India, the revision in GST slabs last year, which increased taxes on hybrids, halted those plans. However, the Korean brand is expected to launch the Kona EV by 2019.
Other models that are currently in the pipeline for Hyundai include the facelift for the Creta and the new Santro tall-boy hatch.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
