Hyundai is about to call time in its Ioniq hatch after a six year production run. The final model will roll off the line in Ulsan, South Korea next month. 

Launched in 2016, the Ioniq has been sold in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric form in UK and has earned a reputation for being one of the most efficient electric car on the market. Dubbed the ‘windknife’ by fans on social media, the Ioniq’s smooth profile and relative light weight has helped it attract an army of fans in the UK. 

According to a Hyundai statement, the Ioniq has fully met the company’s business expectations during its lifetime. By the end of 2021, 135,692 Ioniqs had been sold in Europe. In the UK, only the full-electric version is currently listed as being available to order, so buyers looking to snap up one of the last cars should act quickly. 

Hyundai’s decision to create a new IONIQ sub-brand means that a direct replacement for the Ioniq isn’t part of the brand’s plans. All new IONIQ models will be based on Hyundai’s advanced E-GMP platform that features an 800 volt electric system that is a capable of delivering lightning-quick charging times. 

The IONIQ 5 is set to be joined later this year by a new IONIQ 6 model that is expected to match the outgoing model for aerodynamic efficiency. Based on the brand’s sleek Prophecy concept car, the new model is tipped to be a longer, lower car than the IONIQ 5 and, based on spy shot information, is likely to take the form of a saloon rather than a hatchback. The final production version is expected to be revealed later this month.

The Hyundai Ioniq earned itself the nickname 'windknife' thanks to its remarkable aero efficiency