Although it will share its platform with the Kia EV6 GT, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will be a unique driving proposition
Hyundai has launched a new teaser video for its first electric performance N model, the Ioniq 5 N, showcasing some of the car’s abilities and overall design look.
The second action teaser video of the Ioniq 5 N, shown in camouflage at the famed Namyang R&D test facility in Korea, to be released by the official Hyundai N Worldwide YouTube channel. It follows on from last month’s teaser footage of the electric prototype snow driving in tandem with an i20 N rally car.
Both videos demonstrate vehicles with bodywork silhouettes that don’t deviate wildly from the current, regular Ioniq 5 form. However, aggressive front bar restyling is clearly evident.
The phrase “never just drive”, evidently the model’s marketing catchphrase, is overlaid across the black and white camouflage livery. There’s also a cryptic tip of the hat to the Nurburgring Nordschleife via logos on the side windows.
Elsewhere, interior shots reveal fitted race-style bucket seats and race harness cut-outs in the seat backs, not unlike the bucket seats in Kia’s EV6 GT.
The new video footage clearly suggests that Ioniq 5 N will offer lairy drift capability in dry, sealed surfaces.
Based on the same fundamental E-GMP platform as the related Kia EV6 GT, it’s very likely that the upcoming Ioniq 5 N will have similar outputs to the EV6 GT’s 430kW/740Nm figures.
It’s expected that the new Ioniq 5 N will launch in Australia around January 2024 after the hot hatches expected unveiling in mid 2023.
Hyundai currently offers high-performance combustion-engined N models – the i30 N, i20 N and Kona N, however their days are ultimately numbered as the brand moves toward electrification.
While some information about the Ioniq 5 N is still under wraps, a previous report by Chasing Cars stated that the electric N SUV will be much more track focused than the related Kia EV6 GT.
One of the founding executives of the Hyundai N performance program, Albert Biermann, told Chasing Cars earlier in the year that the Ioniq 5 N had a very different brief to the EV6 GT.
“An N car has to be on the track, and survive on the track, for a certain amount of time. The Ioniq 5 N would survive much longer on the track [than EV6 GT],” he said at the time.
Chasing Cars was also told that the EV6 GT is more suited as a rally car than a track car.
In terms of hardware, the Ioniq 5 N will use the same 74kWh usable battery pack and 800-volt battery technology as the EV6 GT.
And although the two batteries are the same size, Hyundai has said there is a different setup in terms of cooling.
“We will get every potential out of the cooling system to make the car survive as long as possible when you push it hard,” Biermann said.
According to the brand, the uprated electric motor fitted to the rear axle of the upcoming Ioniq 5 N will be able to spin at speeds of up to 21,000rpm and will also have an electric limited-slip differential (e-LSD) fitted as standard.
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