Rebate-earner base edition has efficiency – but demands replenishment earlier than headline-making version.

SPENDING more to save more seems the mantra for Hyundai’s newest electric, with national pricing revealing the drivetrain that allows the highly aerodynamic sedan to achieve its headline-making 600km-plus range is beyond Clean Car rebate reach.

The only Ioniq 6 eligible for the $8625 rebate that is firing up electric car sales is the base format, which will cost $79,990, according to data on Hyundai NZ’s website yet to be shared with media.

However, that model packs a 53kWh battery feeding a single motor rear-wheel drive powertrain and though highly effective – with brand claims of an energy consumption rate of 13.9kWh/100km making it one of the world’s most energy efficient production electric cars – nonetheless has 429 kilometres’ overall range when measured on the WLTP standard. Which makes it class average.

Achieving the model in a format that achieves the headline-making range of 614km, based on the WLTP test standard, requires taking the car with a 77.4kWh battery, which makes it much more expensive.

There are three editions, at $94,900 – in the same specification as the entry car – a $104,900 Elite and a $124,900 Limited, the only format which is dual motor, with all-wheel-drive.

The flagship model trades off range – it’s rated at 545km optimal – for additional oomph. It makes 239kW/605Nm, whereas the others all have 350Nm but power outputs differ – 111kW in the rebate-winning form and 168kW otherwise. Energy efficiency from the large battery rear-drive is 14.3kWh/100km and 16kWh/100km.

All models have a central 12.3 inch touchscreen with sat nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker stereos (though only the high-end model has Bose premium), dual zone air con, the two cheapest have cloth trim, the other leather. Heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, are restricted to the Limited.

Hyundai NZ has yet to share details on the model roll out strategy.