Corner Rascal: Hyundai’s N division unveils 650 PS Ioniq 5 N
Hyundai’s high-performance division launches first EV, the Ioniq 5 N
While electric vehicles (EVs) were conceived mainly for increased efficiency and to eliminate emissions, it does not mean we cannot have fun with them. That was probably on the minds of designers and engineers of Hyundai’s performance-turning division called N.
“Hyundai N spearheads the technological leadership of Hyundai Motor Company. N brand’s winning combination of technological know-how and motorsport experience is pushing the limits of vehicle performance, which has most recently resulted in IONIQ 5 N, a game-changer for electric high performance. Key developments around this vehicle will further strengthen the competitiveness of all Hyundai models going forward. This is why the N brand exists,” said,” Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.
Today, Hyundai unveils that vision of a fun, driver-focused, high-performance EV at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England in the form of a five-door hatchback with motorsport-bred technologies and elevated racetrack capability. This is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
“Ioniq 5 N, was developed to take driving fun to a new level by utilizing the latest technologies available. Starting with Ioniq 5 N, the N brand aims to deliver N’s signature fun driving experience regardless of petrol, electric, or hydrogen. To accomplish this, we’ve closely monitored the voices of our N fans to fine-tune our first all-electric N with the goal of electrifying the driving passion of our most demanding N-thusiasts,” said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company.
The Ioniq 5 N uses the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) platform of the same Ioniq 5 we have in the Philippines but with more than a few enhancements. It gets all the expertise of Hyundai N high-performance models and its Rolling Labs to ensure it meets the divisions’ three performance pillars: ‘Corner Rascal,’ ‘Racetrack Capability’ and ‘Everyday Sportscar.’
To distinguish itself from the garden-variety Ioniq 5, the N version has many performance-enhancing design elements on the body, including an N Mask graphic fascia, an N-exclusive ‘Luminous Orange’ at the bottom of the black front bumper, a lip spoiler, contrasting black trim parts, a wing-type rear spoiler, and an N-exclusive black bumper cover with checker flag reflector graphics. It is 20 mm lower, 50 mm wider, and 80 mm longer for better aerodynamics, bigger tires (21-inch wheels with 275/35R21 Pirelli P-Zero), and a rear diffuser. It also has a functional mesh, an air curtain, and air flaps for extra cooling.
Hyundai N masterfully incorporates advanced technology and motorsports with sustainable materials in the cabin. The newly designed N steering wheel with paddle shifters has the N logo and N buttons on either side that set the different drive modes. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, click the N Grin Boost button positioned at 3 o’clock. Techies can connect/charge their devices or stow them away via a C-type USB port, wireless charger, and cupholders. To ensure you do not slide off your seat during cornering, the two-tone recycled poly Alcantara N seats are set about 20 mm lower and have reinforced bolsters. Finally, the pedals are optimized for foot contact in track driving scenarios that involve oversteer, drifting, and power slides, reducing the risk of foot slippage in two-foot driving. The footrest is optimized to maintain a stable driving posture at all times, including strong deceleration moments.
Now for the really fun part. The Ioniq 5 N gets an improved motor that spins up to 21,000 RPM to give it up to 650 PS with N Grin Boost. It is made possible by the two-stage inverter and a stronger 84 kWh battery. To sustain this type of performance, engineers gave it better thermal management with an increased cooling area, a better motor oil cooler, a battery chiller, and independent radiators. A top speed of 260 km/h makes this Hyundai's Fastest Production N car, but it has to stop sometime. That is a job for the N-tuned brakes that feature 400-mm diameter front discs with four-piston monobloc calipers and 360-mm rear discs.
Other technologies include N Launch Control (provides three different traction levels for the fastest possible start), N Battery Pre-conditioning (optimizes the battery cells to the most power-efficient temperature), N Race (optimizes the EV’s endurance on the circuit, N Brake Regen (offering up to a maximum of 0.6 G decelerative force, N e-shift and N Active Sound + (enhances the fun and joy of driving by simulating the jolt feel and sound of an ICE vehicle), N Road Sens (automatically recommends the activation of N Mode when double-curved road signs are detected), N Pedal (gives instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity), N Drift Optimizer (maintains the drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls responding to real-time inputs), N Torque Distribution (variable front and rear torque distribution that can be adjusted to 11 levels), and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) (use the stored energy from the EV’s high-voltage battery to recharge devices, such as an e-bike, electrical camping equipment or domestic appliances — even when the vehicle is turned off).
If the phrase Corner Rascal has intrigued you, this is made possible by 42 additional welding points and 2.1 meters of additional adhesives. The motor and battery mounting are reinforced while front and rear subframes are enhanced for lateral rigidity.
As Hyundai N’s first-ever all-electric model, it is a sign that it is just a matter of time before we see more electrified N models in the future. If you were to choose, which Hyundai model would you want N to turn into an EV?
