Motoring Writers’ award for five-seater under spotlight for potential update.

Hyundai NZ general manager Chris Blair (left) and NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild president Richard Edwards.

THE national auto award has gone to a popular Hyundai electric car subject to thought about it re-energising to a slightly larger battery.

The Ioniq 5’s unveiling last night as 2021 New Zealand Car of the Year, an award decided by title rights’ holder the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, is a landmark for its maker.

No Korean brand has previously claimed the prize, which first went to the 1988 BMW 5 Series.

Chris Blair, general manager of Hyundai New Zealand, a wholly New Zealand-owned operation, said the car receiving the Peter Greenslade Trophy in such a highly-competitive environment was “immensely rewarding.”

The five-seater large hatchback is the third electric vehicle in a row to claim the trophy, which is most highly-prized by the nation’s car distributors; the 2020 title went to the Mercedes Benz EQC and the Jaguar i-Pace secured it in 2019.

Hyundai’s car is the first winner to be available under the government's 'Clean Car' scheme, with the entry-level variant eligible for that $8650 rebate.

A sister model, Kia’s EV6, is soon to release in New Zealand and, though it builds on the Hyundai-developed E-GMP underpinnings, the sub-marque’s car has a slightly larger battery that allows for it to go a little further before exhausting.

Recently Ioniq 5 editions sold in South Korea and configured for some export markets have divested the NZ-available 72.6kWh battery for the Kia’s 77.4kWh pack, as part of an early life update.

Whether New Zealand is in the queue remains unclear, brand spokeswoman Kimberley Waters relating when asked about this: “With regards to the bigger battery and new features, our current focus is on the Ioniq 5 product we have available for the New Zealand market. Should new variants become available, we will communicate that as and when.”

The model in current optimal range – so single motor, largest battery - state can achieve up to 500km on a charge, though that’s under strict WLTP test conditions. High-speed charging able to add 85km of range in just five minutes on the new generation of hyperchargers.

In flagship dual-motor form, it devests some range for additional kapow; 225kW of power and 605Nm of torque, for a 0-100kmh sprint time of 5.2 seconds.

The New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild is the professional body for motoring journalists and content creators from around the country.

There were 10 finalists for the 2021 award, which involved two dozen voting members. Vehicles are tested in the involvers’ home environments to ensure a ‘real world’ result.

New Zealand Motoring Writers' Guild president Richard Edwards said the model was very deserving of the prize, named after a Guild founding member.

“It is truly mould-breaking, without sacrificing efficiency, practicality or attractiveness. It is an all-round intriguing car even before you consider its exceptional all-electric drivetrain.”

In its own test, MotoringNZ determined that “… as a foundation for its maker’s future, Ioniq Five could surely be said to be as important to Hyundai as the Model T was to Ford, the Beetle to Volkswagen and the Prius to Toyota. It is a landmark car.”

Hyundai NZ has already announced intent to add in time two additional Ioniq models, the 6 large car and the 7, a sports utility, and has also suggested indicated in the Genesis GV60, a sister model to the 5 developed for Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand.

NZ Car of the Year is historically announced at year-end, but the judging period was extended for the 2021 determination due to the impact of coronavirus on vehicle availability.