Since its premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, the Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ 5 N has been defying perceptions about electric vehicle capabilities. Keiichi ‘DK’ Tsuchiya, the renowned Japanese professional racecar driver and ‘Drift King,’ expressed amazement in a Hyundai N brand video, stating, “This is my first time driving an EV that can drift. It is so much fun. The most surprising was the agility. I thought ‘Oh, they’re making playful cars.’ This has changed my impression about Hyundai Motor.”
Early test drivers have hailed the IONIQ 5 N for its seamless fusion of everyday practicality and exhilarating racetrack abilities. This EV brings in a host of motorsport-inspired features, integrating combustion engine sounds and driver engagement into the electric driving experience.
This week, the international media will experience the car firsthand at its birthplace, the Korea International Circuit in Young-am.
The IONIQ 5 N marks a significant milestone in the realm of high-performance EVs, leveraging Hyundai N brand’s motorsport-honed technologies within the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).
The model embodies N performance through three core pillars: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability, and Everyday Sportscar, heralding a new era of driver-centric, thrilling-to-drive EVs.
Corner Rascal Capabilities
The IONIQ 5 N elevates driving dynamics with its impressive Corner Rascal capabilities. It integrates enhancements in body structure, steering, and pedal systems, ensuring a dynamic and engaging driving experience.
- N R-MDPS Steering: Reinforced for precise control, offering enhanced steering response and feedback.
- Enhanced Body Structure: 42 additional welding points and adhesives enhance rigidity for superior handling.
- Improved Motor and Battery Mounting: Reinforced to withstand higher electric motor torque.
- Enhanced Subframes: Front and rear subframes bolstered for better lateral rigidity.
- Drive Axles: Inspired by World Rally Championship for robust electric motor torque handling.
- N Pedal Software: Enhances turn-in behavior and throttle sensitivity, mimicking ICE characteristics.
- N Drift Optimizer and Torque Kick Drift: Maintains drift angles and simulates immediate drift initiation.
- N Torque Distribution: Fully variable front and rear torque distribution optimized for cornering.
- Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (e-LSD): Enhances cornering performance and control.
- 21-inch Forged Aluminum Wheels: Reduces unsprung mass, improving overall performance.
- Electronically Controlled Suspension: Offers a comfortable yet dynamic ride.
Racetrack Capability
The IONIQ 5 N excels as a high-performance EV with a suite of technical enhancements designed for an exhilarating racing experience.
- High-Powered Electric Motors: Delivering 478 kW / 650 PS of power with a thrilling N Grin Boost feature.
- N Launch Control: Offers rapid and powerful starts with three traction levels.
- Track SOC: Automatically calculates battery consumption per lap for efficient performance management.
- Advanced Battery Thermal Management: Resists power degradation with expanded cooling, improved motor oil cooler, and battery chiller.
- N Race Feature: Allows precise energy management with ‘Sprint’ and ‘Endurance’ modes.
- N-tuned Brakes: Incorporating lightweight materials and optimized airflow for improved cooling.
- N Brake Regen: Offering exceptional deceleration force of up to 0.6 G, setting an industry standard.
Everyday Sportscar
The IONIQ 5 N isn’t just an EV; it’s engineered to provide a dynamic and engaging driving experience every day.
- N e-shift: Precise power delivery simulation for an interactive experience.
- N Active Sound +: Delivers futuristic EV sounds and ICE-like engine and exhaust sounds.
- N Road Sense: Automatically optimizes settings based on road conditions, enhancing the driving experience.
- V2L (Vehicle-to-Load): Allows using stored energy to recharge or power devices, expanding versatility.
Performance-Enhancing Design
The IONIQ 5 N’s exterior and interior design elements emphasize sportiness and track potential, distinguishing it from the standard IONIQ 5.
- Exterior Changes: Specific proportional adjustments, aerodynamic enhancements, and distinctive accents.
- Interior: N-specific design elements, advanced steering wheel with N buttons, track-focused console, and sustainable materials.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N isn’t just a groundbreaking EV; it’s a testament to the fusion of performance, innovation, and driving thrill in the realm of electric vehicles.
