Photo courtesy of Hyundai.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai.

A race-prepared Hyundai Ioniq hybrid prototype reached a top speed of 160 mph at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats and set a land-speed record in the hybrid category, Hyundai announced.

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) approved a record of 157.825 mph with a peak exit speed of 160.7 mph for the prototype vehicle that was developed by Hyundai Motor America's engineering and quality team.

Hyundai will sell a trio of Ioniq models starting in late 2016 with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric powertrains.

To achieve the record, Hyundai engineers equipped the Ioniq with a nitrous-oxide boost and aerodynamics upgrades such as underbody and air dam modifications. The vehicle's engine, transmission and hybrid ECU were recalibrated and governors were removed. The air conditioning was removed.

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