Amidst the 400-odd screaming ICE autos which dominated Hyundai’s N Pageant at Sydney Motorsport Park this previous weekend have been a number of new stealthy Ioniq 5N EVs, recent off the boat from Korea.
EV fanatics who raced to pre-order an Ioniq 5N in September have been invited to drive the excessive efficiency EV on the 4.6km Jack Brabham Circuit – with steering from driver trainers, however no constraints on the accelerator.
David Sargent, who flew from Adelaide to take up the provide, was there on Sunday together with his son Andrew and one of many first in Australia to familiarize yourself with an Ioniq 5N on observe. That is his take.
Petrol fumes, crackling backfires, screeching tyres and exhaust emissions hit you first. Then we picked up a few N model merchandise gadgets, and tried to search out the Ioniq 5N pits. There they’re!
Hunkered down over 21 inch cast wheels and customized Pirelli rubber, that is no strange Ioniq 5. Child “N blue”, brutish and angular, the entrance sports activities a red-trimmed black scoop which directs air to radiators to chill the 84kWh batteries and two motors. The distinctive pixel lights of the unique Ioniq 5 gaze forward, hungry for street.
From the facet, it’s massive. 5 metres. A diagonal crease, the black B pillar disappears between tinted home windows and there may be extra purple trim underneath a black skirt.
On the rear a large diffuser, micro-spoilers and a pixel gentle bar on the hatch cover a beneficiant boot. This racey automotive can even take you on vacation, with
Greeted by gracious Hyundai hosts, I’m foisted with administrative duties, prepped to drive. I wait amidst the cluster of EV fanatics who’ve glimpsed sustainable motorsport on the horizon, helmet prepared, go-pro poised, nervous with anticipation.
A white Ioniq 5N pulls in. That one has to go for a cost, I’m instructed. Persistence petal, I inform myself, quickly you’ll put the pedal to the steel.
The blue automotive returns and I’m ushered into a shocking cockpit dominated by a steering wheel festooned with N buttons and an amazing array of knowledge throughout two screens.
A quick introduction from my driver coach, Martin, a twist of the gear stalk to “D”, and we’re ready briefly for the observe to reopen for the subsequent session. Go!
I ask if there’s a pit lane velocity restrict.
No, so go. Go!
![Ioniq 5n](https://b2232832.smushcdn.com/2232832/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ioniq-5n-martin-1160x668.jpg?size=1160x0&lossy=1&strip=0&webp=1)
I hit the accelerator arduous and the Ioniq N responds instantly, leaping ahead with out a trace of wheelspin as I’m pushed again into the sports activities bucket seats.
I catch the speedo digits flashing previous 140 km/h and we’re on the primary nook, Martin urging me to “braaaaake!”. I carry and regen kicks in earlier than I’ve obtained my proper foot over to the brake – amatuer transfer.
Pulling as much as 0.6G, robust regen saves a variety of the work that the large 400mm entrance discs and 360mm rear discs must do.
A 2.2 tonne automotive takes some stopping.
I flip into T1 and the automotive is simply the place I need it to be. I apply energy up the hill and it’s as if we’re going downhill. With as much as 478kW of energy and 770Nm of torque, hills don’t matter a lot.
It’s an “out” lap on an unfamiliar observe, so I take it comparatively simple, particularly because the chicane opens up on the high of the circuit. The steering is responsive, the energetic suspension and low centre of gravity assist get what must be a bath round each nook properly. It feels heavy at instances, however nonetheless very linked to the observe.
As I end my out lap we head onto the primary straight, foot flat to the ground. My first “sizzling lap” is whole enjoyable. I’ve a greater understanding of brake factors and drive by way of the corners, hitting apex after apex.
The motors whir and I can hear the tyres crying for mercy. At one level throughout an uphill right-hander, the again steps out a little bit, however traction management adjusts and we shoot over the little rise unperturbed. Martin jogs my memory to push the N Grin Increase and we go simply shy of 250km/h throughout the end line.
On my second sizzling lap Martin requested me to interact N e-shift. The steering wheel paddles are energetic and the soundscape kicks in. It’s loud and similar to an ICE automotive, simulating 8 gears and utilizing regenerative resistance on downshifts. It’s undoubtedly enjoyable, however it could actually’t be as quick.
Scorching laps executed, we proceed again to the pits on the “in” lap. I’m ecstatic, grinning from ear to ear. What a blast!
There may be much more to this automotive although, and I need to perceive it extra.
Hyundai has flown Albert Biermann, who headed-up the design and engineering group tasked with making use of Hyundai’s N philosophy to the Ioniq 5, to offer insights into how the boffins have been capable of resolve the various conflicting design imperatives and remedy the technical challenges posed by racing circumstances.
Albert is launched by Thomas Schemera, World Chief Advertising and marketing Officer (CMO) and Head of the Buyer Expertise Division at Hyundai, the manager charged with realising the product imaginative and prescient for the N division.
Albert talks to the three pillars of N: nook rascal, on a regular basis sports activities automotive, and race observe functionality. Tick. Tick. Tick.
![ioniq 5N](https://b2232832.smushcdn.com/2232832/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ioniq-5n-albert-1160x862.jpg?size=1160x0&lossy=1&strip=0&webp=1)
As EV fanatics pressure to listen to Albert’s Tech Speak over the ICE cacophony, they nonetheless grasp on his each phrase. Albert elaborates the 20-20-20 purpose. 20 minutes on observe. 20 recharging. 20 minutes on observe. Dash races.
He highlights the efficiency of the Ioniq 5N at Nurburgring Nordschlieffer, with consecutive laps underneath 8 minutes – a feat only a few vehicles have achieved.
Throughout Q&A I ask Thomas whether or not Hyundai intend to go racing with these vehicles quickly. Thomas is diplomatic however constructive that, given a little bit time for motorsport to regulate to the realities of EVs, there may very well be a contest of some type involving the IONIC 5N on Australian racetracks inside a few years.
When the speaking is over, the driving resumes, and as I wait with my son for his walk-up driving alternative I watch drivers emerge from the IONIC 5 Ns with smiles almost as broad because the 2m it strides.
It will be a few hours, so we go to the Determine 8 Monitor and Andrew registers to drive the Kona EV. As we wait, we discover the observe has gone purple flag.
There was a collision between two ICE autos on the far facet of the observe and one or each have caught fireplace extensively. Plumes of acrid smoke spew into the sky and blow our means as the hearth resists decided efforts to place it out. Some folks suppose solely EVs are a hearth hazard.
My son later finds his means into the Ioniq 5N driver’s seat and has the time of his life, insisting he went sooner than me. I’ll have kindled a burning need to race.
I’m left with a variety of impressions and feelings, and a great dose of the fact of taking EVs into the efficiency zone.
I’ve accomplished my order and may’t wait to get my Ioniq 5N in early 2024, to take it to a racetrack, play with the settings, and discover the bounds of this phenomenal new EV.