2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 takes shape! New Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 rival charges up ahead of Australian launch next year - but will the price be right?

We all know Hyundai’s second dedicated all-electric model, the Ioniq 6 mid-size sedan, is coming soon, but now we have a better idea of what it will look like.

Hitekro has published an unofficial rendering of the Ioniq 6, one that takes into account the aptly named Prophecy concept that foreshadowed its styling direction, as well as a recent darkened teaser image of the production model.

The result is a sleek but simple-looking sedan with a steeply raked roofline that’s sure to appeal to the style-conscious – you know, fans of ‘four-door coupes’. At the same time, early adopters are likely to be enamoured by the digital side mirrors.

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That said, the Ioniq 6’s real party trick will be its so-called ‘lightning’ grille that’s fitted with LEDs to not only provide a distinctive design element, but also help light the way ahead while communicating the current status of the vehicle, such as whether it’s charging.

The lightning grille isn’t shown in all its glory in the unofficial rendering, but the black panel up front is ‘pixelated’ like the related Ioniq 5 mid-size SUV’s tail-lights, so it can show a lot more than the daytime running lights seen here.

Either way, the Ioniq 6 was reportedly delayed recently, with its production start date pushed back by three months, to June next year, due to some last-minute changes to its design and battery options.

Specifically, the Ioniq 6 is allegedly getting the 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery that’s used by another model that rides on Hyundai Group’s emerging e-GMP platform, the Kia EV6 mid-size SUV, instead of the Ioniq 5’s 72.6kWh.

This change will presumably increase the Ioniq 6’s maximum WLTP-certified range beyond that of the Ioniq 5 (470km), and a better result than the EV6 (528km) is also possible thanks to lower weight and more aerodynamically friendly body-style.

The aptly named Prophecy concept (pictured) foreshadowed the Ioniq 6's styling direction.

Speaking of which, the other claimed tweak to the Ioniq 6 is the lengthening of its bumpers by 20mm to improve – you guessed it – aerodynamics and, therefore, increase range. As such, it could break the 600km barrier.

Either way, the Ioniq 6 is expected to be revealed in the coming months, so we’ll find out what’s in store soon enough, including the outputs of its likely single- and dual-motor powertrain options with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive respectively.

With the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 firmly in its sights, Hyundai has confirmed the Ioniq 6 will enter Australian showrooms in 2022, with a local release in the second half of the year now likely, as suggested by its new production start date.

Pricing, of course, is a mystery, but given the Ioniq 5 starts from $71,900 plus on-road costs for its highly specified launch grade, the Ioniq 6 line-up could kick off around the $60,000 mark. Stay tuned.