Hyundai Motor has once again received international acclaim in the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards, with the forthcoming IONIQ eco-friendly model recognized for its outstanding design in the coveted Vehicle category. The Red Dot Design Award, granted by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, acknowledges international excellence in product design. In the Vehicles category, the 2016 awards recognized the future-orientated design of Hyundai's first dedicated eco-friendly model. Officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March and due to be released in selected international markets during 2016, the IONIQ takes a new approach to green motoring. Rather than commit to a single combination of energy source and drivetrain, the groundbreaking Hyundai offers three different powertrain options within a shared vehicle architecture. These include parallel petrol-electric hybrid, where both engines work together to move the car; plug-in petrol electric hybrid, which offers a limited range using electric power, supplemented by a petrol engine for longer journeys; and a fully electric option for pure zero emissions motoring. "The IONIQ is a unique concept in the market for greener motoring, with this latest award bringing further global recognition for Hyundai's forward-looking design philosophy," said Jin (James) Kim, Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East. "To date, alternative-fuel vehicles have committed to one technology, such as hybrid drive or pure electric. The IONIQ is flexible according to the needs of specific customers, which will contribute to the take-up of more environmentally friendly vehicles." In selecting the IONIQ, the Red Dot jury recognized Hyundai for presenting an evolutionary design, through a refined, sophisticated form, and for its application of new eco-friendly materials. IONIQ presents new possibilities for Hyundai Motor's future mobility styling, with its purified shape led by aerodynamics, and its refined, clean lines and surfaces enhancing its coupe-like silhouette. Drawing on a jury of 38 experts from 25 countries - all high profile designers, professors and journalists - the Red Dot Design Award is recognized globally as one of the most sought-after marks for quality design. The 2016 contest attracted 5,214 entries from 57 countries, making the Red Dot Award the largest and most international product competition in the world. The IONIQ is the sixth car from Hyundai's international line-up to receive a Red Dot title in the last three years. The 2016 award follows on from three Red Dot Design Awards received in 2015, with the New Generation i20 Coupe, New Generation i20 Five-door and All-new Sonata recognized for outstanding design. This followed accolades in 2014 for All-new Genesis and New Generation i10. The All-new Sonata and Genesis received further recognition for design, winning the 2014 Good Design Award, while the New Generation i20 won the iF Design Award 2015 for its distinctive and sophisticated B-segment styling.
