“We place it above the steering wheel, not inside the steering wheel, as in a conventional car,” said Andrean. “That is a huge statement on lifting your eyes and your head up; you are looking a couple degrees higher [when looking at the panel]. This is way closer to the road.”
The Ioniq 3’s 12.9in infotainment screen is also the first to use Hyundai’s new, Android Auto-based Pleos operating system. This will allow new functionality, such as installing apps natively in the car rather than using smartphone mirroring – although that is still included. Positioned below the screen is an array of physical climate control and media switches.
“The tactile feel of buttons is very important, and I think [the European] market really needs that,” said Andrean.
The Ioniq 3 will arrive in the UK this summer. Standard Range cars will use a 145bhp motor, for a 0-62mph time of 9.0sec, while Long Range cars will get a more efficient 132bhp variant. Hyundai has yet to disclose a peak charging rate but has confirmed the 10-80% refill time will be 29 minutes for the Standard Range car and 30 minutes for the Long Range car.
It is not known whether a hot N version will join the line-up as a rival for the Alpine A290 and Volkswagen ID Polo GTI, although Schöttle said he “always sees potential for something more sporty”.
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