Bisimoto's HyperEconiq takes Hyundai's Ioniq hybrid to a new level, getting 83 mpg.
We’ve seen automotive tuner Bisimoto partner up with Hyundai for a series of impressive, high-performance custom projects in recent years, and with the annual SEMA show just around the corner they’re pairing up this time. But this time around, the focus is on fuel efficiency.
California-based Bisimoto has taken Hyundai’s already high-mileage Ioniq hybrid to create the HyperEconiq, in the process upping its numbers substantially, a series of 83 tests yielding an average of 83 miles per gallon. That compares impressively with the 58 mpg Combined rating achieved by the stock Hyundai Ioniq.
Bisimoto suggests it was able to get there by using what it describes as “the best hypermiling, economy and friction tech.” A quick glimpse reveals a handful of modifications its made, including the use of wheel spats to reduce drag around the rear wheels, but there are also a number of upgrades hidden under the stock Hyundai Ioniq’s skin.
The officials debut of the Bisimoto HyperEconiq later this month is likely to take some show-goers by surprise. After all, SEMA traditionally puts the spotlight on performance, and the tuner has delivered its share of jaw-dropping concepts in recent years, including a 1,040 horsepower version of the Hyundai Santa Fe last year.
(Hyundai gives buyers assurance with new car sales process. For the story, Click Here.)
Hyundai, with its Ioniq, is looking to expand its BEV line-up. The Ioniq gets 58 mpg combined.
But with tough new mileage mandates phasing in between now and 2025 here in the States, and even more severe rules coming into effect abroad, it’s probably as good a time as any for Bisimoto to shift gears.
“The HyperEconiq Ioniq takes the Ioniq where we always knew it could go, without sacrificing drivability,” said Bisimoto’s namesake chief Bisi Ezerioha. “Leveraging the outstanding Ioniq electrified platform and powertrain, we’ve focused on a variety of technical elements to bring efficiency, aero, and design to the highest level.”
Those distinctive rear spats are one of the most obvious updates to the stock Hyundai Ioniq body. But the wheels have also been upgraded, the tuner adopting super-light, one-piece carbon fiber wheels supplied by Carbon Revolution. And they wear high-silica, low rolling resistance tires. A closer look also reveals aluminum brake calipers meant to further reduce weight.
(Click Here for details about Hyundai’s plans to expand its eco-friendly vehicle line-up.)
The HyperEconiq gets a number of other exterior mods, the custom body kit including both front and side splitters, as well as a rear spoiler. One surprise: the lack of air curtains around the front wheels, where turbulence creates some of a vehicle’s biggest drag. But Bisimoto has also improved aerodynamics by lowering the stock Ioniq with the use of a coilover suspension.
The Hyundai Bismoto Santa Fe puts out more than 1,000 horsepower and was shown at SEMA last year.
Other enhancements include a pulse-chamber exhaust, more efficient generators to reduce powertrain friction and special e-oil. Of course, you have to know the tuner wasn’t going to add a few traditional, sportier touches such as the Recaro racing seats.
Don’t be surprised to see a number of the steps Bisimoto has taken to upgrade the Hyundai Ioniq show up on various production products in the future. In fact, Honda used spats on the original version of the Insight hybrid.
(To see more about the performance of the Ioniq, Click Here.)
And while the aero body kit is clearly focused on reducing drag to improve mileage, it does manage to give the Bisimoto HyperEconiq a surprisingly aggressive appearance, enhanced by its fog gray paint. It’s certainly a more appealing appearance than many of the other high-mileage products now on the market, already getting favorable comparisons to the Gen-4 Toyota Prius – along with much better mileage.