Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: The New Benchmark for Fun and Exciting EVs
Hyundai’s N division has taken the electric era with the same commitment and provided the most fun – and, as crucially, excitement – that anyone has ever had in an EV. The Ioniq 5 N is Hyundai’s first electric performance car, and while many details are still under wraps, having driven it extensively on road and track, it’s clear that this car is a new benchmark for fun and exciting EVs.
Design and Features
The Ioniq 5 N is a biggish, tallish crossover that has been reinforced in places, gained new suspension subframes, and been given unique kinematics, including more camber, quicker steering, a reinforced steering rack, four-wheel drive from a motor at each end, and the ability to divert power as it or its driver pleases. The tyres are 235/35 R21 Pirelli P Zeros, and there are 400mm front brake discs (the biggest Hyundai has ever fitted), plus improved battery cooling as N commits to making this car as suitable for track driving as its ICE hatches.
Driving Experience
The Ioniq 5 N offers a bewildering number of driving-mode combinations, including torque-vectoring and adjusting front-to-rear power distribution. There are even synthetic noises (including an ICE one) and a fake tacho and gearshift via the steering-mounted paddles. There’s even a drift mode, which is made unavailable to drivers by the engineer sitting beside them as they drive. The Ioniq 5 N has genuine performance-car depths and feels fast in a straight line, even on a modern circuit like the GP Nürburgring. It feels at least 500bhp-fast to most drivers.
The braking, even though it’s by wire and contains strong regen, even at really high braking levels, accounting for up to 0.6g of total retardation, is strong and consistent. It turns in exceptionally well and pleasingly retains some of the ‘tuck’ that the best European hot hatches and now Hyundai’s N hatches also display. It’s present as strongly as it can be in a car that must weigh two tonnes. That means you lift, and it turns in willingly, seemingly pivoting around its middle. Then, as you roll onto the power, the Ioniq 5 N diverts some of that to the rear to straighten its line nicely, or perhaps more than nicely.
On the highway, the Ioniq 5 N feels its size more and inevitably leaves drivers further from its limits. But even then, it’s still engaging. The fake engine sound and fake gearshift might sound gimmicky but somehow aren’t. The ‘tacho’ goes to 8000rpm, and the ‘engine braking’ and throttle response change with revs – all false, yes, but cleverly mapped. There are two other futuristic synthetic sounds, too, or drivers can turn the whole lot off, leaving the paddles to change the regen level.
Technical Specs
The Ioniq 5 N is powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors and features four-wheel drive from a motor at each end. The kerb weight is estimated to be around 2000kg, and the car is expected to have a 3.5-second 0-60mph time and a top speed of around 150mph. However, many technical specs are still under wraps, including battery size and energy efficiency.
Conclusion
The Ioniq 5 N is a new benchmark for fun and exciting EVs. While many details are still under wraps, having driven it extensively on road and track, it’s clear that this car is a game-changer. It has genuine performance-car depths and feels fast in a straight line, even on a modern circuit like the GP Nürburgring. The Ioniq 5 N has moved the game on massively, and it has moments of hot hatch, rally replica, and super-saloon at various moments in the same corner. It’s so convincing on a circuit that many drivers prefer it there to on the road. The Ioniq 5 N is a car that drivers can’t wait to drive again just for the thrill of it.
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