Nearly a 12 months to the day after saying its new N efficiency line of EVs, starting with the IONIQ 5, Hyundai has publicly unveiled the long-teased N model on the Goodwood Competition of Pace. The IONIQ 5 N combines previous and current as a nod to Hyundai’s efficiency arm’s design traits, reimagined for the brand new age of EVs constructed for monitor efficiency and never simply pace in a straight line. Ever seen an EV particularly designed for prime pace cornering?
At lower than seven years outdated in its personal proper, Hyundai Motor Group’s N and N Line efficiency stays a younger sub-brand that’s already reimagining itself as an all-electric, enhanced efficiency arm.
We first discovered that N model IONIQ EVs had been coming final summer season through the world premiere of the IONIQ 6. The top of the 6’s launch video featured Hyundai’s first three E-GMP fashions flocking alongside a racetrack earlier than out of the blue being joined by two extra fashions. We’d quickly study these had been Hyundai’s conceptual “rolling lab” N fashions.
That very same day, Hyundai confirmed the IONIQ 5 could be its first manufacturing EV mannequin to don the “N” efficiency badge. Since then, the crew at Hyundai N has teased followers with video updates each couple of months as we strategy the efficiency EV’s full debut on the Goodwood Competition of Pace.
The day has lastly come my associates, and the IONIQ 5 N is on full show for all to see, geared up with design and efficiency options inside and outside that aren’t solely synonymous with Hyundai N, but in addition current a brand new breed of electrical autos particularly designed with superior racetrack capabilities.
Oh, and it could possibly simulate fighter jet noises too.
The IONIQ 5 N is a brand new breed of EV, not a grocery getter
Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 hatchback (it’s a hatchback it doesn’t matter what its makers say) continues to assist pave the way in which for the Korean automaker as a critical contender within the world EV market. The “crossover” and its 800V E-GMP platform provide customers among the most superior tech on the market proper now at very cheap costs – a purpose why the IONIQ 5 was voted automotive of the 12 months by a number of organizations.
Nonetheless, at its core, the IONIQ 5 is tame. It’s an on a regular basis passenger EV, and a rattling good one at that, however not one thing you’re going to take to the monitor. The IONIQ 5 N, nonetheless, is a wholly completely different story. The N model is decrease, wider, and extra aggressive, due to its bigger wheels (cast 21-inch aluminum and high-grip Pirelli P-Zero tires).
Starting with the outside, you’ll discover a brand new N Masks mesh fascia above a entrance air curtain with three energetic air flaps to assist cool the EV’s battery. Atop the rear, Hyundai N has added a wing-type spoiler, diffuser, and air outlet to optimize airflow and aerodynamics. The crew isn’t sharing the drag coefficient simply but, however the N mannequin is extra aerodynamic than the usual IONIQ 5, along with being sportier and geared up with higher braking capabilities.
These upgrades complement the IONIQ 5 N’s entrance and rear suspension, which was redesigned from the bottom up. The general exterior seen within the photos above and beneath options Hyundai N’s unique colours – Blue Shiny and Efficiency Blue Matte – along with Luminous Orange Matte accents across the rear. (Seems pink to me, however hey, nonetheless works.) Hyundai says the IONIQ 5 N will come obtainable in 10 completely different exterior shades as effectively.
Subsequent, let’s take a gander on the 5 N’s “racing idea” inside in addition to its efficiency specs.
Low seats, racing steering wheel, and sustainable supplies
Wanting inside the brand new IONIQ 5 N, drivers will expertise racing bucket seats, a hard and fast heart console, knee pads, shin helps, and sustainable supplies all through the cabin. This contains recyclable paperette door garnishes, recycled poly Alcantara seat cowl material, and recycled yarn from PET bottles.
A brand new “N” branded steering wheel homes 4 devoted buttons, two of that are customizable. The opposite two management the EV’s 4 devoted drive modes in addition to toggle the IONIQ 5’s “N Grin Enhance” (NGB) – which delivers prompt thrust from the twin motors by maximizing the automobile’s energy output and torque for 10 seconds.
We already touched upon the distinctive efficiency pillars carried out within the new IONIQ 5 N, together with options like N Lively Sound + and N e-shift, so let’s dig into the precise efficiency specs:
The crew at Hyundai N says it positive tuned the prevailing E-GMP platform particularly for the IONIQ 5 to ship optimized energy, torque, and response. As a monitor automotive, the IONIQ 5 N has seen quite a few physique and chassis reinforcements, together with 42 extra welds and one other 2.1 meters of structural adhesives to enhance its rigidity.
Its Built-in Drive Axles (IDA) had been impressed by World Rally Championship racing autos and have been carried out on each the entrance and rear to endure the large torque its twin motors put out. The EV’s steering column has additionally been revamped with a bespoke rack to ship the next steering ratio and provide enhanced response for drivers.
Moreover, the Hyundai N crew is touting a expertise it calls “N Pedal,” which will increase the regenerative pressure that creates a particular weight switch of the automobile to allow sharper cornering entries, serving to alleviate among the added weight points EVs with giant battery packs are caught with.
The IONIQ 5 N’s Electronically Managed Suspension (ECS) system controls the dampening pressure and improves dealing with and stability – to not be confused with the EV’s Digital Stability Management Sport (ESC Sport) system – which helps stabilize the EV throughout cornering maneuvers by sensing lack of traction and making use of brakes to particular person wheels. It will also be turned off for a “extra genuine” racetrack expertise, aka drifting.
There’s a lot extra to unpack right here as Hyundai N has put a whole lot of new and thrilling efficiency expertise into its first manufacturing EV mannequin, so we extremely advocate trying out the corporate’s full press launch to study extra.
When you occur to be within the UK attending Goodwood this 12 months, you should definitely cease by the Hyundai N sales space and see the souped-up IONIQ 5 in particular person – and ship me pics, please!
Two large elements we don’t know but – vary and value. That’s positive to come back later as Hyundai strikes nearer to getting this N model into scaled manufacturing and out to motor sport fanatics.
Who is aware of? Maybe we will get this one out on a monitor and see what kind of bother we will get into with it. Keep tuned!
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