---
title: "2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6’s Clear Antenna Was Inspired by the Apple iMac"
description: "Hyundai's design chief told The Drive that the transparent roof-mounted antenna on the new Ioniq 6 had an unlikely design inspiration."
date: "2022-11-18"
modified: "2022-11-18"
authors:
  - name: "Aaron Cole"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/aaron-cole"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2023-hyundai-ioniqs-clear-antennae-was-inspired-by-the-apple-imac"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Hyundai News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "People"
---

# 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6’s Clear Antenna Was Inspired by the Apple iMac

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/18/Unknown-12.jpeg>)
*\<em\>Chris Tsui/The Drive\</em\>*

Hyundai design boss SangYup Lee has engineered a dramatic design renaissance at the Korean automaker since coming on board from Bentley in 2016. From the new [Sonata](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/37770/2021-hyundai-sonata-n-line-review-hyundais-sport-lite-sedan-is-a-welcome-remix>) to [Tucson](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37515/2022-hyundai-tucson-futuristic-looks-hybrids-available-sporty-n-line-on-the-way>)—and especially the stunning [N Vision 74 Concept](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2023-hyundai-ioniq-6-gets-340-mile-max-range-charges-to-80-percent-in-18-minutes>)—Lee’s designs are distinctive and eye-catching, but also nostalgic. (The N Vision 74 looks like the future we were promised in the 1980s, particularly.)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/18/Unknown-9-scaled.jpeg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/18/Unknown-10-scaled.jpeg>)

Now we know why. Speaking at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lee told our own [Chris Tsui](<https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui>) that the transparent radio antennae plunked on top of the Ioniq 6 has its roots in a 1990s icon that nearly all of us can instantly picture: Apple’s transparent iMac.

“This is definitely intentional. Everybody is body-colored or black and Ioniq 6 is something very special. We have a very beautiful, streamlined roofline and … also the pixel \[lights\] is something that we take as our brand character which is nostalgic yet has a digital feeling to it,” Lee said. “The same idea applies to this antenna, it's like the first-generation Apple iMac.”

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/18/Unknown-11-scaled.jpeg>)
**Chris Tsui/ The Drive**

Most of us either had an experience with a Bondi Blue iMac or Graphite Gray iMac at home or at school—or both. The [2023 Ioniq 6](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2023-hyundai-ioniq-6-gets-340-mile-max-range-charges-to-80-percent-in-18-minutes>), which was shown off this week with a 340-mile range in some trims and up to 320 horsepower from a dual-motor setup. A single motor, rear-drive version will have 149 hp and 55-kW battery. The Ioniq 6 is also equipped with an 800-volt architecture that can support charging up to 350 kW, which can replenish the batteries from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes.

Hyundai says the Ioniq 6 will go on sale in spring but didn’t say how much it will cost when it arrives. It’s not clear what versions will come first—big battery, small battery, rear-drive, all-wheel drive—but what is clear will be the radio antennae. And now we know why.

*Got a tip? Send it to tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Aaron began his career in journalism when the news was printed on dead trees and thrown on driveways. A graduate of the University of Utah, he began his career as a sportswriter and has covered news for over a decade.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/colemeetscars?lang=en>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/colemeetscars/>)