Hyundai officially launches its Ioniq brand in China – Venus sedan and Earth SUV concepts revealed

Hyundai has announced the official launch of its all-electric Ioniq brand in China as it looks to have more of a presence in the world’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) market. At present, the South Korean company sells two EVs in China: the Ioniq 5 N and EO (also known as the Elexio), with other models in the local line-up being the petrol-powered Palisade and Elantra N.

To go along with the announcement, Hyundai revealed two concepts developed for China called Venus and Earth. Both not only highlight the company’s readiness for China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market, but also serve to introduce a model naming convention for the country, as future Ioniq models will be named after planets.

If you want to be poetic about it, customers are said to represent the ‘sun’ and vehicles are the ‘planets’ orbiting them. Together, they make up what the company is calling the ‘Ioniq universe’, which is a broader mobility ecosystem tailored to local customers. Technologies showcased include autonomous driving systems developed with local partners such as range-extended EVs (REEVs).

“Starting with the two concept cars unveiled today, we will continue to present products that reflect deep insight into Chinese customers and our genuine commitment to this market. Built on Ioniq’s uncompromising principles of world-class safety and quality, we will soon introduce production models that seamlessly combine the smart driving and smart cabin experiences that Chinese consumers demand,” said Li Fenggang, president of Beijing Hyundai Motor Company.

So, what of the concepts then? Well, the Venus is being referred to as an ‘iconic sedan’ that is “inspired by the brightest planet’s timeless beauty.” Finished in Radiant Gold, the futuristic-looking concept features a distinctive one-curve silhouette and frame-structured roof, while its interior sports warm hues and layered mood lighting to evoke Venus’ glowing atmosphere. A large, widescreen display is also present and there is an avatar called ‘Lumi’ that interacts with passengers.

As for the Earth, it is dubbed as a ‘powerful SUV’ that embodies the “vitality and biological balance of our home planet.” This concept, painted Aurora Shield, veers more into the rugged realm, with skid plates and exposed bolt accents being design highlights on a heavily sculpted shape with plenty of sharp edges.

Inside, the Earth features ‘air-hug’ seats where passengers are supported by soft air modules, while the mood lighting is said to mimic tree shadows and whatever ‘shy-tech’ is for a more serene setting. As with the Venus, the Earth invites a lot of natural light into its cabin, which also gets its own fun avatar; this one is called ‘Aero’.

There is a likelihood that the Venus and Earth concepts will eventually become production EVs, although the company didn’t explicitly state so in its release. According to CarNewsChina, Hyundai will reveal its first production Ioniq model designed for China at the upcoming Auto China show in Beijing later this month. Over the next three years, the brand plans to introduce range of EV and REEV models covering mid-to-large segments in various body styles.

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