Ian Lamming takes road rage in his stride in the brilliant new Hyundai Ioniq6
WHITE van man! You picked on the wrong man, or should I say car.
Driving along the M6 to school a car moves from the inside lane to the centre in order to overtake a lorry. Nothing wrong in that.
I’m in the centre lane so I check my mirrors – there’s nothing bearing down – signal right and move into the fast lane.
The next thing I know there is an excessive and continuous blaring of a horn from somewhere behind. I’m unperturbed but after my overtake I signal left to move back into the middle lane.
A bearded white van man pulls alongside and starts to gesticulate with the Vs and other hand gestures – bad move matey.
My boy asks me what I’ve done wrong and my reply is ‘absolutely nothing’. I also tell him to get his phone out and video the man’s obnoxious and aggressive behaviour. If you are going to go all road rage on me then you really shouldn’t do it in a van that sports your company name and phone number on its livery.
Spotting the camera work white van man realises his mistake and tries to flee. He must not know his cars either as if he did he would realise that any attempt to out run the Hyundai Ioniq6 is futile. This EV has 228Ps and 350Nm of torque lurking under its svelte skin so that is never going to happen.
It also has a one pedal operation on the throttle which allows me to keep pace whether he accelerates or brakes without me ever needing to touch the brakes, (press down and it accelerates, lift off and it brakes) so he is stuck with me. His expression is now less angry and more panicked while mine is impassive, perhaps just a tiny smirk of enjoyment as he realises his error.
It’s time to analyse the situation. I would say that I’ve done nothing wrong wouldn’t I because every driver on the road is always flawless. He obviously thinks I’ve cut him up – either that or he has taken exception to the Hyundai’s unusual lines.
But here is the proof. The Ioniq6 has so much technological wizardry on it that it wouldn’t have allowed me to cut him up if I’d wanted to.
Firstly, its 360 degree radar monitors other road users especially anyone lurking in your blind spot.
If there is someone there a red triangle illuminates in the driver’s side door mirror. The radar also talks to the head-up display which projects information into your eye-line on the windscreen highlighting which side the vehicle is approaching.
When I signal right the virtual dash opens up a portal containing a rear-view image of what is behind me – yet another failsafe
And if I still decide to take any action and move into the path of another vehicle I can expect to hear a furious bonging noise as a warning and the lane assist would take over the steering preventing me from straying.
Not that I want to dob white van man in it any further but I know I’m not speeding – there’s more bonging to endure as soon as your speed exceeds the legal limits by more than 1mph. Your honour, I rest my case.
The other strange thing about this episode is how calm I remain. No thumping heart, no jolt of adrenalin, just righteous yet quiet indignation at the unwarranted attack – and that’s down to the Hyundai.
Ioniq6 is utterly stupendous to drive. The aesthetics are eye-catching, if a bit Marmite, but I like them. It looks like a spaceship, particularly in matt silver (though I’m told it is actually ‘gravity gold’) and is definitely a vehicle of this century. You should see the size of the brake lights.
The interior is limousine plush and hi-tech. There is an unbelievable amount of legroom and the ride is superlative. Stunning performance and great handling make for brilliant driving dynamics. It is swift, powerful and incredibly quiet making it a supreme consumer of high mileages.
I drive Ioniq6 to an event where I’m testing a £300,000 supercar. To be honest the Hyundai is the better drive, just don’t tell anyone.
Hyundai’s new Ioniq6 is currently enjoying the global praise it undoubtedly deserves. It’s a car to be enjoyed, a vehicle in which you can relax and the perfect tool to combat hostile van drivers.
Fact File
Hyundai Ioniq6 Ultimate
Engine: 77.4kWh electric
Power: 228PS
0-62mph: 5.1 secs
Top speed: 115mph
Range: 338
Transmission: automatic, RWD
CO2 g/km: 0
Price: £47,040.00
