The high-performance version of Hyundai Motor Co.’s Ioniq 5 EV (electric vehicle) made its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England earlier in the week. The Ioniq 5 N establishes the brand’s N performance sub-brand as the “technology powerhouse” within Hyundai Motor and spearheads advanced technologies to be shared with all Hyundai EVs and the strategic goal of increasing the brand’s overall competitiveness.

“Hyundai N spearheads the technological leadership of Hyundai Motor Co.,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Co. “N brand’s winning combination of technological know-how and motorsport experience is pushing the limits of vehicle performance, which has most recently resulted in Ioniq 5 N, a gamechanger for electric high performance. Key developments around this vehicle will further strengthen the competitiveness of all Hyundai models going forward. This is why N brand exists.”

The N version of the Ioniq 5 is 20 mm (0.8 in) lower, 50 mm (2.0 in) wider at the bottom to accommodate wider tires, and 80 mm (3.1 in) longer primarily due to the more prominent rear diffuser. The EV is 4715 mm (185.6 in) long, 1940 mm (76.4 in) wide, and 1585 mm (62.4 in) tall, on a 3000-mm (118.1-in) wheelbase. It adds N-enhancing exterior design elements such as contrasting black trim and a wing-type rear spoiler.

At the front, there is an N Mask fascia with functional mesh along with air curtains and air flaps for extra cooling. Along the bumper bottom are a lip spoiler and the EV N-exclusive Luminous Orange stripe that continues along the side skirts.

At the rear, a prominent wing-type spoiler, along with an orange-accented rear diffuser and air outlet, help control airflow for optimized aerodynamic performance. Integrated into the spoiler is a triangular N-only center high-mounted stop lamp. Below the rear hatch is an N-exclusive black bumper cover with checker flag reflector graphics.

Beneath the surface, the performance EV combines the standard model’s E-GMP (Electrified-Global Modular Platform) with N’s motorsport-bred technologies and expertise from recent electrified “rolling labs” like the RM20e, RN22e, and N Vision 74 to ensure it meets N’s three performance pillars: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability, and Everyday Sportscar.

 

Corner Rascal and Racetrack Capability

The Corner Rascal capabilities begin with enhancements to the body-in-white structure, with 42 additional welding points and 2.1 m (6.9 ft) of additional adhesives. The motor and battery mountings are reinforced, and the front and rear subframes are enhanced for lateral rigidity.

World Rally Championship-inspired front and rear integrated drive axles are reinforced to deliver stronger electric motor torque while helping to reduce unsprung mass with new 21-in forged aluminum wheels. The wheels are wrapped in high-grip 275/35R21 Pirelli P-Zero tires for improved handling and better track grip.

The steering column is strengthened for improved rigidity, and the power steering system has a higher ratio and enhanced torque feedback for a more direct and communicative experience. The N Pedal intelligent software function is designed to provide more instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity, prioritizing fast cornering over energy efficiency.

N Drift Optimizer helps to maintain the drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls responding to real-time inputs. N Torque Distribution provides fully variable front and rear torque distribution that can be adjusted to 11 levels.

On the propulsion front, the electric motor output is 166 kW in front and 282 kW at the rear for a total output of 448 kW. The top speed is 260 km/h (162 mph).

The electric motors spin up to 21,000 rpm. Output can be boosted to 478 kW, 175 kW front and 303 kW rear, for 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 3.4 s. This is enabled by the two-stage inverter with increased energy efficiency for stronger output from the new higher-capacity 84-kW·h battery. Up to 350 kW charging enables 10% to 80% in 18 min.

N Grin Boost maximizes acceleration for 10 s, and N Launch Control provides three different traction levels. Track SOC (state-of-charge) automatically calculates battery consumption per lap.

Energy consumption figures are not finalized, and the range will be announced at regional market launches.

Hyundai says that the Ioniq 5 N sets a new benchmark for thermal management in severe racetrack conditions, boasting a higher resistance to heat-induced power degradation than competitors. The enhanced battery thermal management system has increased cooling area and better motor oil cooler and battery chiller. Driver-selected N Battery Pre-conditioning optimizes battery cell temperature via Drag mode for a short burst of full power or Track mode for better laps.

The N Race feature further optimizes the EV’s endurance on the circuit, giving drivers more direct control over the car’s energy usage. Endurance mode maximizes range on the racetrack by limiting peak power, which results in a slower build-up of temperature. Sprint mode prioritizes power and provides shorter bursts of full energy.

Hyundai’s most powerful braking system features 400-mm diameter front discs with four-piston monobloc calipers and 360-mm rear discs, new lightweight materials, and optimized airflow for improved cooling. For the extreme demands of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, engineers designed an N-specific region braking system. It offers up to a maximum of 0.6 g, said to be an industry-leading figure, through N Brake Regen alone and remains engaged under ABS activation with a maximum of 0.2 g. The risk of mechanical brake fade is minimized by maximizing regen braking power.

 

Everyday sportscar interior design and user experience

According to Hyundai, many performance enthusiasts have been outspoken about the lack of driver feedback behind the wheel of many EVs. So, the brand’s engineers developed N e-shift and N Active Sound+ features to deliver greater driver feedback and more precise control during dynamic driving.

N e-shift simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission of internal combustion engine N cars by controlling motor torque output to simulate shift jolts. N Active Sound+, paired with the N e-shift, incorporates a 10-speaker system (eight internal, two external) for three distinct sound themes. The Ignition theme simulates the sound of N’s 2.0T engines, Evolution provides a signature high-performance sound inspired by the RN22e, and Supersonic is inspired by twin-engine fighter jets and features variable volume during cornering.

Exclusively for the EU, N Road Sense automatically recommends the activation of N Mode when double-curved road signs are detected.

Inside the EV are N-branded elements including the steering wheel, seats, door scuff panels, and metal pedals optimized for track driving.

The steering wheel features the N logo for the first time. It is flanked by N buttons that can be set to the driver’s preference, with driving modes customized and matched to each button in various combinations and an N Grin Boost button positioned at 3 o’clock for instant access. Paddles are positioned at the driver’s fingertips to engage N e-shift and N Pedal features.

The center console is optimized for track driving with knee pads and shin support, and an extension to the lower part of the console enhances rigidity to support sporty driving. For everyday use, it offers a sliding armrest, C-type USB, wireless charging, and cupholders.

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the bucket seats are positioned about 20 mm (0.8 in) lower and have reinforced bolsters to firmly support the upper and lower body to maintain a stable driving posture. The pedals are optimized for track driving, reducing the risk of foot slippage in two-foot driving. A checkered flag theme—a track-inspired riff on Ioniq 5’s parametric pixels—is on the door scuff panels, metal pedals, and footrest.

Like the standard Ioniq 5, sustainable materials include recyclable door decorative garnish, bio-PET and -TPO from sugarcane, yarn from recycled PET bottles, and eco-processed leather. The N adds recycled tire pigment paint and recycled poly Alcantara seat cover cloth.