NAMYANG, South Korea -- Hyundai Motor Co. says its new Ioniq, to be offered in three electrified versions, will succeed in the U.S. because it is tailored, even more than the Toyota Prius, to Americans' driving styles.
The Ioniq, which sports a one-motor, one-clutch setup, will deliver better highway fuel economy than the Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid, said Yang Woong-chul, Hyundai's global r&d chief.
The car, which will be launched this month, offers one body type with three electrified drivetrain options: a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and an all-electric variant.
The Ioniq is Hyundai's latest attempt to gain traction in a segment of alternative-energy vehicles long dominated by Japanese rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp., with the Prius, and Nissan Motor Co., manufacturer of the Leaf electric car.
"It's totally different from Toyota's or any other company's," Yang said of the Ioniq's technology.