Hyundai’s new ‘Venus’ IONIQ EV spotted in public for the first time [Images]

After unveiling the new Venus and Earth last week, we are already getting our first look at Hyundai’s new IONIQ EV in real life.

Hyundai introduces Earth and Venus IONIQ EV concepts

Hyundai is bringing its IONIQ EV brand to China to take on BYD and other leading electric vehicle manufacturers.

The new vehicles won’t look like the IONIQ 5 or other models in the lineup, with a distinct new style, advanced software, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) custom-designed for Chinese buyers.

We got a sneak peek of what to expect after Hyundai unveiled the Earth and Venus concepts last week, set to spearhead its IONIQ EV brand launch in China.

Ahead of the Beijing Auto Show on April 24, Hyundai introduced the newest members of its IONIQ electric vehicle lineup.

Earth is a “dependable family SUV,” while Venus is a “trend-setting sedan,” Hyundai said during the event in Beijing last week. Although they were just concepts, Li Fenggang, president at Beijing Hyundai, said the company will “soon introduce production models that seamlessly combine the smart driving and smart cabin experiences that Chinese consumers demand.”

Guided by its new ethos of “Lead, don’t follow,” both EV concepts feature a new “single-curve silhouette” distinct from those of other IONIQ models, such as the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 sold globally.

While it’s been less than a week since Hyundai first unveiled it, a Venus prototype was spotted driving in public for the first time.

Although it’s still covered, the new spy images from Autohome show the design remains nearly identical to the concept. The slim LED headlights are connected to a light bar that stretches across the front, giving it a futuristic, modern look.

Hyundai said the electric sedan (Venus) is inspired by the “brightest planet’s timeless beauty.” All future IONIQ EVs in China will be named after planets, Hyundai said, to symbolize how each vehicle is centered on, or “orbits,” the driver.

The new IONIQ EVs are expected to be equipped with Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect, an advanced end-to-end software platform. The Android-based system offers a smartphone-like UI, similar to Tesla models.

We will learn more about the upcoming Earth and Venus EV model on April 24. Hyundai is holding a press conference at the Beijing Auto Show, where we will learn its plans to take on the world’s largest EV market.