Hyundai is getting ready to shake up the electric hatchback market with a daring new concept bound for the Munich Motor Show. Dubbed Concept Three, the design study previews what will become the Ioniq 3, Hyundai’s upcoming compact EV and sibling to the Kia EV3. If the sketch is any indication, this is no ordinary commuter car—it’s a wedge of racing-inspired aggression wrapped around Hyundai’s proven E-GMP architecture.
From the side profile, Concept Three looks less like a practical hatchback and more like a two-door sports coupe. A massive rear wing, ducktail diffuser, and a front splitter that wouldn’t look out of place in touring-car racing all combine with sharply sculpted flanks and a visor-shaped greenhouse. Hyundai’s designers say the new look is rooted in a fresh philosophy called “Art of Steel,” which aims to mimic the bending and flowing of steel surfaces, emphasizing clean lines, sharp cuts, and fluid movement. Unlike the retro-inspired Ioniq 5 or the slab-sided Ioniq 9 SUV, Concept Three leans more toward the sleekness of the Ioniq 6 sedan.
The production Ioniq 3 is expected to arrive in the third quarter of 2026, with first deliveries potentially starting next summer. Underneath, it will ride on the group’s scalable E-GMP platform, meaning it should share specs with the Kia EV3. That suggests a choice between 58.3- or 81.4-kWh batteries, good for up to 590 kilometers of range, and a single front-mounted motor producing 204 horsepower and 283 Nm of torque.
Inside, Hyundai promises a step forward in everyday usability. A new infotainment system will tie driving modes to the cabin atmosphere—adjusting lighting and even ambient sound to match your chosen style. It’s an attempt to add more character and emotional connection to what’s typically the most clinical aspect of EVs.
If Hyundai holds true to the concept’s radical styling cues, the Ioniq 3 won’t just be another compact EV. It will land squarely in the ring with hot-looking electric hatches like the Cupra Born, signaling that Hyundai wants to fight on both design and driving appeal.
Source: Hyundai