The European Union is set to impose a steep sales ban on new cars with combustion engines. Vehicles with conventional drivetrains will still be allowed beyond 2035, provided the new regulation is passed. However, Hyundai is not backing down from its electric offensive in the continent. In January, it will introduce its biggest EV ever, though details are shrouded in mystery.
By European standards, the Ioniq 9 is already a large vehicle. The three-row SUV stretches five meters (about 200 inches), which raises the question of what Hyundai is planning next. The company cryptically says its upcoming EV “complements the brand’s existing lineup” of electric models. It doesn’t offer much going forward, but logic suggests it won’t be another jumbo-sized SUV.
Hyundai’s confirmation of 800-volt charging and “state-of-the-art electric technology” does little to solve the puzzle. The fact that it’s described as a model rather than a concept indicates that it will be production-ready. The single teaser image shows a full-width LED light bar, which might already be enough to tie things together.
From what we can see so far, Hyundai seems set to ditch the gas engine from its futuristic-looking Staria. That would make sense, considering people believe it’s bigger than the Ion Q9, which is 5.25 meters (206.9 inches) long. Reports of the all-electric variant first surfaced in mid-2024, when Korea Economic Daily Claimed that it will launch in 2026.
The report listed Europe as the most important market for electric vans, along with Australia and Thailand. Hyundai is selling the Staria with petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains from 2021. The fully electric version is expected to generate global sales of up to 20,000 annually.
While Hyundai is bringing its largest electric vehicle to the Brussels Motor Show, sister brand Kia will unveil its smallest electric car. The production-ready EV2 will join the hot GT variants of the EV3, EV4, and EV5. Hyundai and Kia are among the 64 automotive brands participating in the upcoming show, which opens on January 9.
While Minions aren’t the most exciting vehicles around, it’s encouraging to see that traditional auto shows aren’t completely dead. Between Hyundai and Kia, hosting a pair of world premieres shows that some automakers still believe these events are relevant in the tech era.
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