Hyundai has always been up for a challenge. From the very beginning, the brand has punched above its weight, proudly carrying forward the spirit of founder Chung Ju-Yung, who left his rural village as a young man with the vision of changing the world of automotive engineering. When told his dream could never be realised, he would simply retort, “How do you know if you haven’t tried it?”
This nothing-is-impossible attitude remains a key part of Hyundai’s DNA as it continues to lead the way into a new era of premium electrified motoring. As a demonstration of its achievements in this arena, Hyundai will soon undertake an astonishing feat that showcases the robust nature of its electric and hybrid vehicles in even the toughest conditions. Embarking on the longest drive ever conducted by electric and hybrid vehicles, four formidable examples of the motoring powerhouse’s exceptional engineering will soon travel 3,930km across the breadth of the Australian continent, proving their mettle against a wide variety of environments along the way.
Encountering conditions as varied as the baking heat of the red desert sands to the icy chill of the continent’s Alpine region, the endeavour will prove the incredible durability of Hyundai’s electric and hybrid offerings once and for all. So, precisely what vehicles from the Hyundai stable will weather all that such a journey has to throw at them? Let’s take a closer look.
KONA Electric
From its futuristic exterior to the immaculate design language deployed within its luxuriously roomy cabin, the KONA Electric perfectly embodies Hyundai’s forward-looking philosophy. Inside, it’s the subtle touches that make all the difference. From the relocation of the shift-by-wire to sit behind the steering wheel to create more centre console space for phones, wallets, and the like, to mood lighting that creates an irresistible sense of ambience via 10 preset and 64 custom colours, the KONA Electric will have you feeling right at home. Plus, with innovative Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, you can power whatever you might happen to need, whether that’s laptops, camping equipment, e-bikes, or anything in between.
Going beyond the refined looks and the convenience of the latest mod cons, the KONA Electric also delivers in terms of performance. Hyundai’s electrified SUV can offer an extended range of up to 505 km on a single full charge (delivering plenty of confidence when it comes to hitting the open road), plus it charges to 80 per cent in just 45 minutes, meaning you can get back on the road sooner. The KONA Electric is a formidable electric chariot that combines comfort, convenience, and the peace of mind that comes with premium electric performance.
IONIQ 5 N
Of all the cars taking part in Hyundai’s historic undertaking, this is the one most likely to have us describing the endeavour as a ‘race across Australia’. Demonstrating its track-ready nature from the Perth starting line to the Sydney finish, the IONIQ 5 N is an undeniable example of pure racing spirit driven by an electric powertrain. Simply put, it’s the perfect car to make a cross-continent journey feel like one extended hot lap.
With powerful dual electric motors generating up to 478 kW of power (when N Grin Boost is engaged), the IONIQ 5 N offers Hyundai’s ultimate adrenaline-fuelled experience – sans the fuel. Other key features sure to get your heart pumping include N Launch Control, which customises your grip levels and pre-torque for rapid take-off and stunning acceleration, and N Battery Preconditioning, which enables you to choose between peak power and acceleration or optimised performance and endurance.
Either way, the envelope-pushing IONIQ 5 N is guaranteed to have hearts fluttering from one end of Australia to the other.
TUCSON Hybrid N Line
Elevating mid-size SUVs, the Tucson Hybrid N Line boasts a cutting-edge design and turbocharged 172kW hybrid powertrain that enable it to set a new standard for the category. It also packs a comprehensive range of features that will make it an ideal ride for those about to embark on an Australia-spanning drive of a lifetime, whether by maximising comfort for passengers or ensuring optimum performance.
These features include Smart Regenerative Braking, which means the TUCSON Hybrid N Line can self-charge on the go as the energy produced during brake application is used to recharge its high-voltage battery; the e-Comfort Drive system, which allows the motor to control the brake, transmission, and driving torque for improved traction and mobility; and Baby Mode, an exclusive addition to Hyundai’s hybrid vehicles designed to increase comfort for the littlies by decreasing initial acceleration and limiting maximum acceleration to enable smoother driving.
Finally, the TUCSON Hybrid N Line‘s aerodynamic body combines an impressively sleek shape with an attractively aggressive stance. The addition of Hyundai’s LED headlamps with its Intelligent Front-Lighting System and 19-inch alloy wheels finish the picture, ensuring this SUV will turn heads from the shores of Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
SANTA FE Hybrid
The new SANTA FE Hybrid completes the lineup for Hyundai’s big drive, and we can’t think of a vehicle we’d rather have to carry us from one side of Australia to the other. With a design that combines a grand sense of rugged toughness with the comfort of refined luxury, this impressive new addition to Hyundai’s fleet signposts a bright future for the brand.
Thanks to its wonderfully boxy profile and long wheelbase, the SANTA FE Hybrid is a vehicle with real presence. The handsome effect of its high hood, horizontal radiator grille design, H-shaped headlamps, and wide tailgate is only matched by the abundance of space within its immaculately appointed cabin.
Delivering efficiency and dynamic driving thanks to its supremely advanced hybrid powertrain system, this SANTA FE creates a new benchmark by which all other hybrids must be judged. What better way to tackle the 3,930km that separates one Australian coast from another?
