New 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the first fully-electric N performance model from Hyundai, but more are coming.
New Hyundai IONIQ N to deliver 641 horsepower and reach 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds
An 84-kWh battery should provide over 400 kilometres of range
IONIQ 5 N was tuned on the Nurburgring
The Goodwood Festival of Speed played host to the unveiling of the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N today, Hyundai’s first-ever electric N model. The N series has been competing in World Rally Championship since 2014 and stands as Hyundai’s performance vehicle division with models such as the Veloster N featuring more aggressive chassis tuning, more powerful engines, and a sportier experience compared to the models on which they are based.
In the electric vehicle segment, the IONIQ 5 N is expected to square off against the likes of the Kia EV6 GT, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Tesla Model 3 Performance, and the BMW i4 M50i. Moreover, Hyundai plans to expand its N EV lineup with plans to introduce three more models in the future.
The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is loaded with a range of performance features that in typical Hyundai N fashion have quirky names like N Grin Boost and N Drift Optimizer. Visually, the IONIQ N is everything you expect from an N model, meaning that it is bold and in your face, and ultimately looks like it can go very fast around a track.
Two Electric Motors and All-Wheel Drive
Powering the IONIQ 5 N are two electric motors, each responsible for its own axle, providing an all-wheel-drive setup. The combined output from the motors reaches a staggering 478 kW or 641 horsepower, fed by an 84-kWh battery. While Hyundai has not revealed precise numbers, we expect at least 400 kilometres of all-electric freedom. Hyundai says the new IONIQ 5 N will reach 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, giving it the straight-line acceleration needed to compete with other high-powered EVs in its class.
A Range of New Performance Features
The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N comes equipped with an array of new performance features. The ‘N Pedal’ enhances responsive handling through instant turn-in behavior and increased throttle sensitivity. The ‘N Drift Optimizer’ helps maintain drift angles by balancing vehicle controls and simulating the clutch kick action of rear-wheel-drive combustion engine vehicles. The ‘N Torque Distribution’ offers fully variable front and rear torque distribution, an electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD) at the rear axle, and additional wheel sensors for optimized cornering performance.
Designed for the Track
The IONIQ 5 N is engineered with features that enhance its performance on the track. Additional welding points and adhesive for the body-in-white (BIW) structure, reinforced motor and battery mounting, improved front and rear subframes for lateral rigidity, and reinforced integrated drive axles (IDA) are among the enhancements made.
The new performance EV from Hyundai also sports a strengthened steering column, a specially tuned N R-MDPS system for better steering feedback, and features like N Grin Boost and N Launch Control to aid track performance. The battery management system offers a ‘Track SOC’ feature, which calculates battery consumption per lap, and the vehicle has been engineered to offer superior resistance to heat-induced power degradation.
Off the track, the N e-shift and N Active Sound + functions have been developed to address the often-criticized lack of driver feedback in electric vehicles, offering a more immersive and enjoyable driving experience.
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Distinct Design
As expected, the visual design of the IONIQ 5 N differs from the standard IONIQ 5. It’s lower, wider, and longer, with distinctive design elements like a unique N Mask graphic fascia and functional cooling features on the front. The vehicle also sports a ‘Luminous Orange’ color accent, forged 21-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in high-grip Pirelli P-Zero tires, and a more prominent diffuser.
The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is set to arrive on the market later this year, with pricing details yet to be announced. With its host of unique performance features and distinctive design, this new entry stands as a significant addition to the electric vehicle market.