V2L and super fast charging, second generation electric cars. Excited by this technology entering the Scheme.
I totally agree with your comments wmc.
The possibility of charging from 10%-80% in under 20 minutes (on an ultra fast charger) is game changing for prospective owners with range anxiety. Being able to make your own coffee whilst waiting (V2L) is a real nod to independence!
I enjoyed a leisurely test drive yesterday in a car that I previously wouldn’t have considered …. A Hyundai Ioniq 5. My reason for ignoring it was Nearly £7000 AP, for a car I erroneously considered as just a slightly bigger Kona.
I was wrong. The Ionic 5 is a spacious, almost luxurious and superbly well equipped car. It doesn’t look particularly large from outside, but when you sit in it the 3 metre wheel base is immediately apparent. The exterior is modernistic and eye-catching, as is the interior design matched by quality equipment and materials. The Bose audio is ‘banging’ if you like rock music like I do, and in true ‘Bose’ style is bass heavy with the assistance of a sub-woofer.
If I sound like a commercial for the Ioniq then it’s down to me being thoroughly impressed by the design and ambience of this good looking machine.
I must add a disclaimer here though …. I was driving the latest addition to the range, the Namsan. The difference between the Namsan and the Ultimate are the Heat Pump, the enormous ‘Vision’ Sunroof and the amazing high definition digital interior wing mirrors built into either side of the dash fed by two good-looking cameras fitted where the door mirrors would have been located.
I chose a test route that replicated my normal driving which was town driving and B roads with some nice stretches of dual carriageway thrown in. The Ioniq simply excelled. It was quiet and very well balanced, with a good ride over varying road surfaces even with 20 inch wheels. The 77kw RWD that I was driving was also amazingly responsive to the point where the even higher powered 77AWD would have been superfluous, except maybe if you live and drive in rural areas.
The driving seat was very supportive and hugged my back, backside and thighs perfectly, also the head rest is perfect as it’s unusually soft and cosseting which is a bonus for me. The seat was the full relaxation seat which turns into a bed and even has an electrically raised calf support, which means that if you’re on a 5o KW fast charger for 50 minutes you can have a leisurely kip, unless you’re planning to plug in your coffee maker (via V2L) for a cuppa. (Namsan and Ultimate Tech versions only).
The leg room in the back is very impressive and the seats slide forward and back as well as recline if needed. The boot is spacious and electrically operated. The seats were black leather and fully heated (even the side bolsters), and would be my preferred colour for longevity due to my grandchildren, lol.
The only negative that I can come up with is that there is no rear screen wiper.
These are my thoughts on a very enjoyable hour spent with a car that in my opinion ticks most boxes with style and panache. If you’re considering an Ioniq my advice would be, arrange a lengthy test drive on the sort of roads and traffic conditions that replicate your day to day driving. Every one of us is different and what appeals to me might not appeal to you, so please don’t just take my word for it.
The version that suits me is the Ioniq 5 Ultimate 77kw RWD with Tech pack. The current AP is £3999.
Happy motoring.