Hyundai Prophecy concept rumoured to replace Ioniq

According to a British media report, the Prophecy electric concept vehicle recently presented by Hyundai will go into series production and is to replace the Ioniq. The new electric limousine could come onto the market by 2021.

The news was first reported by Auto Express, that considered the series production of the Prophecy to have been decided. “There will be a production version of Prophecy coming after a production version of the 45 concept,” Hyundai manager SangYup Lee told the magazine. An aspect of confusion has entered the announcement; however, as the original interview is no longer available. It has been picked up by different automobile media and seems to have been prematurely announced in the original article. Whether this is the case, or the original author had misunderstood the South Korean company’s plans is still unclear.

What is clear, is that Hyundai had presented the concept car virtually at the beginning of March after the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show. While some features such as the joystick control will probably not make it into production, the electric propulsion platform will do so.

The production model based on the Prophecy will be the second Hyundai model based on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) after the planned all-electric Crossover based on the concept car 45 presented at the IAA. The E-GMP will probably rely on an 800-volt architecture. As Hyundai announced in its announcement on its entry into Ionity, the new electric vehicle models are expected to feature 800-volt technology from 2021.

While the series production of Prophecy can be considered confirmed in light of Lee’s statements, the possible positioning of the model is a speculation of the magazine. “Auto Express believes that the new production model Prophecy will replace the current Ioniq,” the report said. The production version of the 45 is expected to be introduced later this year, with Prophecy (or possibly again called Ioniq) to follow in 2021.

While the current Ioniq – which in its HEV and PHEV versions also has a sufficiently large motor compartment for an internal combustion engine – is a reasonably conventional sedan, the series-production Prophecy will be different. “The EV skateboard platform with the short overhang and cowl pulled forward enables us to stretch the cabin to provide more space inside,” Lee said. “The Prophecy is a future sedan – but not a traditional type of sedan, it will have lots of space inside and more curvature, so it means a lot.” With its curved lines, sloping rear end and elongated roof arch, the study is indeed more reminiscent of the basic shape of the Porsche Mission E than the familiar Ioniq.

As Hyundai has announced on several occasions, the new E-GMP models are also intended to represent a new design philosophy. Despite the technical similarity, the cars are to be visually very different from one another and not, like a Russian nesting doll, always show the same face in various sizes. Lee speaks here of “diversifying our design to meet the lifestyle of our customers”. Despite the differences, the models should also have similarities, such as the pixel graphics of the LED headlights.

Lee did not provide any details about the technical data of the E-GMP models in the interview – at least “Auto Express” does not go into this in the report. So the critical data mentioned so far remain with the 800-volt technology and a range of around 450 kilometres. It is also known that the Korean battery specialist SK Innovation will supply the batteries for a future electric SUV from Hyundai (probably the 45). As a supplier for E-GMP, the cells could also be used in the Prophecy.

Hyundai’s sister brand Kia will also be using the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with 800-volt technology. The announced BEV – presumably a crossover – is expected to be launched at the end of next year.

autoexpress.co.uk (Prophecy, original link now replaced with test drive), autoexpress.co.uk (Kia), autoblog.com