Hyundai Sub 4m EV For India Could Launch As Ioniq P

To be positioned as a rival to Tata Punch EV, Hyundai’s new EV is expected to be launched in 2027 at Bharat Auto Expo

Aiming for a stronger presence in India’s fast-growing electric car segment, Hyundai is readying a new mass-market product. Latest reports indicate that this EV could go on sale in India as ‘Ioniq P’. However, this has not been officially confirmed. Using the Ioniq name makes sense, as it is a globally recognized popular electric nameplate.

Hyundai new small EV name

During Hyundai Motor India’s Q3 2026 earnings conference call, it was announced that the Ioniq P will be the next product after the recently launched Bayon. However, it has not been confirmed that Ioniq P is the name of the new small EV. This EV is internally codenamed HE1i and company officials did not directly link it to the Ioniq P.

Hyundai’s upcoming new mass-market electric car is part of the brand’s broader electrification goals. This new EV will help Hyundai increase its share in the electric segment. However, a specific sales target for this new EV has not been revealed. Hyundai’s EV portfolio in India currently has the Creta Electric and Ioniq 5.

Adding a mass-market electric model will help improve the percentage contribution of EVs to overall sales. This move also aligns with the industry’s greater push towards electrification, as the global oil supply situation remains uncertain. The Indian market has responded well to electrification, with EVs and hybrids now contributing close to 20% of overall passenger vehicle sales in the country.

Electric car sales in FY27 have registered a massive increase of close to 90% so far. Hyundai is ranked in the top 10 in India’s EV sales, but segment market share is still in single digits. Expanding the portfolio to include mass-market offerings is the way forward. Other OEMs including Maruti Suzuki, Vinfast and Honda are also working on new mass-market EVs for the Indian market.

Hyundai new small EV – What to expect?

It is likely that Hyundai’s new sub-4m electric car will be based on the E-GMP (K) platform. This platform also underpins the Inster EV sold across global markets. Hyundai’s new small EV is expected to get two battery pack options. There will be a standard range and a long range version. While specifications have not been revealed, it could be similar to that of Inster EV.

Battery pack options available with Inster EV include a 42 kWh and a 49 kWh unit. Certified range is up to 355 km (WLTP). Hyundai will be introducing heavy localization for its new EV, which will help achieve a competitive price point. The EV will be manufactured at Hyundai’s Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu.

During the initial phase, imported battery cells will be used. While Hyundai-Kia have a partnership with Exide for locally manufactured cells, these won’t be available in the current year. Due to this, local sourcing of the battery cells will commence at a later date. While focusing on affordability, Hyundai’s new EV will have premium features such as Pleos Connect infotainment system and Level 2 ADAS. It will compete against rivals like Tata Punch EV, Nexon EV, Syros EV and Mahindra XUV 3XO EV.

Source – AutoCar India