Hyundai Ioniq sets land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats

It’s not a question this writer has ever thought to ask, but if you’ve ever wondered how quickly the new Hyundai Ioniq can tear across the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the Korean car maker now has an answer.

Developed, of course, as a means of promoting Hyundai‘s new Prius-rivalling hybrid hatch, the record-breaking car boasts a few tweaks you won’t find in any ordinary production car.

Headlining the enhancements is the use of a single-stage nitrous injection system, meaning this record can’t be claimed as a pure petrol-electric hybrid achievement.

Still, it does look the goods. Along with a nitrous system, the “race-prepared” Ioniq also features low-restriction intake and exhaust systems (with retained catalyst), along with uninhibited engine, transmission and hybrid ECU calibrations set-up specifically for this record run.

Useless components like interior features, air-conditioning and ancillary accessories were dropped, while underbody and air-dam modifications were added. The hybrid Ioniq was also given the all-electric Ioniq variant’s front grille and valance for improved aero performance.

The tweaks are rounded out with a fully-integrated high-strength safety cage from Bisimoto, a Sparco racing seat and six-point safety harness, and an onboard fire suppression system with battery disconnects and a parachute.

All of this came together to give the Ioniq hybrid prototype an FIA-approved “production-based hybrid vehicle” land speed record of 157.825mph (254km/h), with a peak exit speed of 258.6km/h.

The regular everyday Ioniq will come to Australia next year, with the plug-in hybrid variant (which sits between the hybrid and all-electric models) the likely starter.

For more on the Ioniq, see our earlier coverage at the links below.

MORE: Hyundai Ioniq plug-in hybrid to get Prime position
MORE: Hyundai Ioniq PHEV will go unchallenged in Australia
MORE: Hyundai Ioniq plug-in hybrid ‘most appealing’ for Australia
MORE: all Ioniq news coverage
MORE: Hyundai news and reviews

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