Hyundai, one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, is reinforcing its claim in electrification with a 650-horsepower sporty model. The first electric model of the N brand, established for high-performance vehicles, the IONIQ 5 N brings a very different perspective to electric cars with both its sporty design and superior ability on race tracks. With every element serving performance, the IONIQ 5 N marks the meeting point of sportiness and aerodynamics in an electric model. Selected as the 2024 World Performance Car of the Year (WCOTY), the IONIQ 5 N also confirmed its ambitiousness by being deemed worthy of the same award by the world-famous British automobile program Topgear.
Great aerodynamics with dynamic design
The 'N' stands for Namyang, Hyundai Motor Company's global R&D center in Korea, and the Nürburgring, where the N series is developed and tested and which is also home to the Hyundai European Test Center. This close connection between Namyang and the Nürburgring forms the basis of the N. With pure driving pleasure as its top priority, the N models stand out in both everyday use and on the race track, with top-level equipment.
The IONIQ 5 N’s specially developed high-gloss black front bumper, the grille symbolising the chequered flag and the active air curtains not only enhance visual appeal but also enhance aerodynamics and cooling performance. The rear spoiler, rear diffuser and air outlet specially designed for the IONIQ 5 N help optimise both road holding and airflow by increasing downforce. Lower, wider and with larger high-performance tyres, the IONIQ 5 N exhibits an aggressive stance while also increasing its capabilities on the race track. The bumper designs specific to the new-generation N model increase the length of the front and rear sections by 5 millimetres and 25 millimetres respectively compared to the current IONIQ 55. At the same time, the front and rear suspension have been redesigned to further lower the centre of gravity to optimise handling.
The car, which is 20 millimeters lower overall, also uses a 50-millimeter-wider and more pronounced diffuser at the bottom to accommodate the wide tires. Thanks to this, the car is exactly 80 millimeters longer. For a better ride and superior road holding, it uses 275/35 R21 P-Zero EV N tires specially developed by Pirelli and 21-inch forged aluminum rims. The IONIQ 5 N is offered for sale in Turkey in a characteristic “N” color, “Performance Blue”.
Sustainability is a strategy that Hyundai has been focusing on and constantly highlighting in its IONIQ models. Environmentally friendly materials such as decorative door trim made from recyclable paper, bio PET yarn derived from sugar cane and PET bottles, bio TPO derived from sugar cane, and pure leather are prominent in the vehicle’s interior. In addition, the car features recycled rubber pigment paint and recycled poly Alcantara seat upholstery fabric to further exemplify Hyundai’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices.
Sporty and modern interior
The interior of the IONIQ 5 N is designed according to the concept of a racing car. The N Racing Bucket sports seats with a lower seating position, the new N steering wheel with special mode switches and the N fixed centre console offer ideal driver ergonomics. The steering wheel, optimized for track driving, features N logo details and lightweight parts in many places, including the seats, door trim panels and metal pedals.
To maximize the fun driving spirit of the IONIQ 5 N, the driving modes can also be customized and mapped to two different buttons as “Custom 1 & Custom 2.”
The N Grin Boost (NGB) button changes the vehicle's character for 10 seconds, allowing for maximum acceleration and excitement. This feature allows for significant times to be achieved during the race on the track.
The IONIQ 5 N’s centre console provides extra support for the driver on the track with knee pads and shin support as well as a comfortable armrest. The extension at the bottom of the console helps maintain the body’s resistance and rigidity during high G forces. As a sports car, the IONIQ 5 N also offers a Type C USB, wireless charger and cup holders for everyday use. The N seats also feature reinforced bolsters. Thus, they tightly grip the body for a stable ride even when there is strong lateral acceleration in sharp bends. The N Racing Bucket seats are designed for users looking for a high-performance driving experience and are positioned approximately 20 millimetres lower than the current model.
650 horsepower coming with high performance
Produced with Hyundai’s E-GMP (electric global modular platform), the IONIQ 5 N has two electric motors operating at up to 21.000 rpm. Equipped with the latest generation 84 kWh battery, the car delivers 448 kW/609 PS and 740 Nm of torque (478 kW/650 PS and 770 Nm with NGB engaged) thanks to the two-stage inverter in the motor for high energy. Able to reach a maximum speed of 260 km/h, the IONIQ 5 N completes the 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3,5 seconds (3,4 seconds with NGB). The fully electric vehicle has an average range of 448 kilometers. The range it can reach in the city can be up to 589 km (WLTP).
Superior cornering performance
The IONIQ 5 N’s cornering prowess comes from a chassis and active systems specifically developed to enhance the excitement of driving. The car, which offers a high-level driving experience through advanced stability and traction control systems, has a different structure than a normal EV model. The placement of the motor and battery contributes to lateral force in performance driving.
At the same time, the integrated drive axles and electric motor at both ends have been strengthened to withstand high torque. The performance brake system provides braking that can easily control 650 horsepower. This brake system consists of large discs with a diameter of 400 millimeters and 360 millimeters at the front and rear respectively. The use of lighter metals together with hybrid discs, monoblock four-piston front calipers, high-friction brake pads and special air cooling reduces the brake temperature level and increases cooling efficiency.
The IONIQ 5 N also features a powerful motorsport-inspired regenerative braking system. The N Brake Regen system delivers an industry-leading maximum deceleration force of 0,6 G. The fact that electric cars are heavier than combustion models requires brakes that are much stronger than those of a conventional car. As a result, hydraulic brakes provide greater durability on the track by applying extra braking force when necessary. The seamless harmony between N Brake Regen and the hydraulic brakes ensures a smooth transition that the driver will hardly notice. In short, this system works together with the stability and traction control systems of the IONIQ 5 N to provide an exciting driving experience. The vehicle’s high-level cornering capabilities are supported by 42 additional welded points and 2,1 meters of additional adhesive.
Race track capability
N Pedal is a feature that is also used in the Hyundai i20 N WRC and provides very fast response while driving. While the aim is for high-level road holding, the natural weight and size of EVs also play an important role here. This intelligent software is activated instantly and offers improved throttle sensitivity. Using a technology similar to the i-Pedal regenerative braking system in the IONIQ models, N Pedal prioritizes fast and exciting cornering over energy efficiency. An aggressive weight transfer is created by using a deceleration force on the rear axle, which makes it possible to enter corners more sharply.
The N Drift Optimizer helps maintain the drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls. The integrated “Torque Kick Drift” function simulates the clutch kicking motion of rear-wheel drive vehicles, commonly known as clutch slapping, allowing the driver to drift faster.
N Torque Distribution (NTD) also shifts power between the front and rear axles, offering up to 11 different settings. Fully variable front and rear torque distribution allows drivers to vary the torque distribution they want between the front and rear wheels.
The electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) located on the rear axle controls the amount of force sent to the rear wheels depending on the driving conditions. It improves the vehicle's cornering performance at high speeds and also improves wheel slip compensation. With an increased torque capacity of 1.800 Nm, the e-LSD provides advanced reaction control for optimum performance.
N Launch Control, on the other hand, provides the best possible acceleration and pre-torque when starting from scratch. It offers three different traction levels (low, medium and high) for the least possible wheel slip and the fastest possible take-off, allowing drivers to drive like a professional race car on the track.
The N Race feature also gives drivers direct control over the car’s energy use. The IONIQ 5 N allows its settings to be changed with just a few buttons. Drivers are given the strategic choice of ‘Endurance’ or ‘Acceleration’. ‘Endurance’ maximises range on the race track. This is achieved by limiting maximum power, which causes the temperature to build up more slowly and later. ‘Acceleration’ prioritises power and cooling for more effective energy. This helps drivers to manage their energy strategy correctly and create an ideal performance range to achieve their driving performance targets.
Hyundai N engineers, who want to make a difference in EVs, developed N e-Shift and N Active Sound+ to make the driving of IONIQ 5 N more dynamic. The integration of both features strengthens the emotional bond between the driver and the car. IONIQ 5 N offers an extraordinary driving experience by simulating the feeling of internal combustion engines.
N e-Shift simulates the behaviour of the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) found in the internal combustion N models, providing a sense of control over the power delivery. Drivers can choose between manual and automatic gear changes, just like in the internal combustion engine. Like the N DCT in manual transmission mode, N e-Shift also features a rev limiter.
N Active Sound (N Active Sound+) provides a more immersive driving experience by producing exhaust sounds similar to those in petrol models. The N Active Sound system, paired with N e-Shift, offers three different sounds. N Active Sound continuously reconfigures the sound based on speed and throttle position, providing a dynamic auditory experience.
This auditory experience provides drivers with an acoustic reference to measure the power used. The external speakers at the front and rear of the car start to emit sound as the speed increases. The exhaust explosions, especially in the i20 N and i30 N, also appear as an artificial sound in this model. Hyundai N engineers, who do not forget the drivers who admire the traditional internal combustion engine and exhaust sound during performance use, thus provide the feeling required for high adrenaline by changing the silence of an electric car at will. Meanwhile, the car also has a premium sound system signed by Bose for high-quality music pleasure.
N Road Sense (NRS) on the IONIQ 5 N takes the driving experience to a new level. NRS automatically recognizes double-curved road markings and recommends the driver to activate N mode. This intelligent system allows the driver to experience an even more exciting and engaging driving experience when navigating winding roads.
The IONIQ 5 N sets a new standard for thermal management under challenging race track conditions. The car, which has a higher resistance than its few rivals, also prevents power losses due to overheating. It is equipped with an improved battery thermal management system, increased cooling area, engine and battery cooler. Independent radiators used for the battery and electric motor provide high-level cooling against performance drops in the IONIQ 5 N before and during intensive track driving. The IONIQ 5 N also features a system that automatically calculates battery consumption per lap to further enhance race track performance. Track SOC (state of charge) optimizes battery energy management according to the vehicle’s performance and driving style during the time spent on the track. In addition to all these features, the advanced Hyundai Smart Sense Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which provide safety and comfort on the road, also help the vehicle provide superior protection. In addition to its performance features, the car also offers all the necessary driving safety systems as standard.
The combination of Hyundai’s high-resolution 12,3-inch infotainment screen and a 12,3-inch digital instrument panel is another of the vehicle’s most distinctive features. Thanks to the N mode on this screen, all parameters and race settings can be made optionally. The car is genetically geared towards performance, but it can also be turned into a traditional city car with very low energy consumption by switching to Eco mode when desired.
The IONIQ 5 N also offers a Head Up Display, which transforms the windshield into a digital display screen. This virtual display presents essential information such as navigation, advanced safety details and the vehicle’s surroundings directly to the driver’s field of vision on the windshield. This innovative feature allows drivers to quickly understand information while maintaining their focus on the road ahead. The car’s interior rearview mirror is also digital. HD images from the high-resolution rearview camera are continuously transmitted to the rearview mirror. This feature can be turned off at any time.
In addition to these performance features, the IONIQ 5 N also offers V2L, which allows users to use the energy stored in the high-voltage battery to charge or power various devices even when the vehicle is switched off. This practical feature allows the vehicle to serve as a power source, providing great convenience and comfort for weekend getaways off the track.
The future of Hyundai N-performance EVs
Since 2017, the Hyundai N department, which has been actively introducing new models and has not been out of the radar of car enthusiasts, has come to the fore with an EV car for the first time after the internal combustion N models. N engineers, who have continued their work and projects after the launch of the IONIQ 5 N, recently introduced another new generation model that shows the future direction of high-performance electric vehicles. This concept, called RN24, stands out as the most exciting model after the RN22e and N Vision 74. The RN24 combines the advanced power electronics system of the IONIQ 5 N with a WRC-inspired chassis supported by next-generation software for maximum agility and precise control. The RN24, which is currently a concept, is seen as an important clue for the future next-generation high-performance road versions of the N and motorsports.
