Hyundai’s N division is just a few years outdated, barely out of diapers in comparison with venerable, in-house efficiency sub-brands akin to Mercedes-Benz’s AMG or BMW’s M. However already in that point, it is outlined itself because the creator of some correctly rowdy, pleasant machines. 

Certainly, whenever you’re handed the keys to a bit of Hyundai dipped in periwinkle blue and trimmed with a crimson orange, you recognize you are in for a superb time.

However, traditionally, that is additionally meant having to take care of one thing that is extra punishing to drive each day than an on a regular basis Hyundai. For the most recent N, that is not the case. That is the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, a hotted-up model of Hyundai’s visually sharp, functionally compelling EV with twice the ability and dozens of efficiency upgrades. Better of all, none of these upgrades have compromised this machine’s core enchantment.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Huge upgrades, inside and outside

It begins with energy and Hyundai’s engineers created it with much more than a motor swap. The Ioniq 5 N affords 641 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque from two motors, one up entrance and one on the rear. That is twice the ability of the bottom Ioniq 5, a automobile that is already fast and enjoyable to drive.

We have seen loads of EVs providing massive energy numbers and fast acceleration occasions that they will solely obtain a couple of times earlier than needing a bit of time to chill off. To make sure the Ioniq 5 N is not a one-lap-wonder, Hyundai engineered a brand new, larger battery pack (84 kwh versus the common automobile’s 77 kwh) and added further cooling, too. 

Hyundai N technical advisor Albert Biermann promised the adjustments are sufficient for the Ioniq 5 N to do two full laps of the Nurburgring at velocity in Endurance mode earlier than needing to chop energy to handle thermal load. That is about 16 minutes and greater than 28 miles of laborious operating on one of many hardest tracks on the earth, which means your standard 20-minute trackday session must be doable.

Larger energy means larger brakes, and the Ioniq 5 N has chunky, 4-piston monobloc calipers that clamp 15.7-inch rotors up entrance with single-piston items out again to pinch 14.2-inch calipers. However, extra considerably, the automobile can decelerate at as much as 0.6 g by way of regeneration alone, which means these brakes ought to survive some critical monitor motion.

Extra grip can be required, so you will discover Pirelli P Zero 275/35R21 tires in any respect 4 corners. With extra grip comes extra chassis flex, so Hyundai engineers added structural reinforcement to the entrance and rear subframes, plus further welding and adhesives all through. An electronically actuated limited-slip rear differential helps put the ability down successfully, and the 5 N has a brand new a suspension that sits 0.8 inch decrease and has larger, adaptive dampers at every nook, providing a wider vary of efficiency between consolation on one finish and sport on the opposite. 

All that’s bundled in a physique that carries over all of the bizarre angularity of the bottom Ioniq 5, injected with a good bit of further visible angst within the type of an enormous entrance splitter, a rear wing and diffuser, plus aspect skirts so aggressively pronounced you are assured to bruise a shin a minimum of as soon as when climbing into this factor. (I absolutely did.)

Hyundai did not give any figures to outline how these massive wings and diffusers have boosted downforce charges at numerous speeds, maybe indicating that aesthetics are the precedence right here. Frankly, I can admire that. The automobile carries an inexpensive 0.313 coefficient of drag, not far off from the 0.28 cd of a base Ioniq 5, which means that N hasn’t completely killed the automobile’s aerodynamic finesse.

Total it is a complete improve bundle, rather more so than the ability infusion given to the Kia EV6 GT. However the upgrades do not cease there.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Laborious-coded efficiency

The largest upgrades to the Ioniq 5 N may really be discovered within the software program. Whereas the automobile affords the identical twin 12.3-inch show setup as the bottom Ioniq 5, with two panels joined on the hip forming each gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment expertise (together with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), the Ioniq 5 N consists of many customized screens and choices. These not solely assist differentiate this automobile but additionally present limitless alternatives for minutiae-loving house owners to go loopy customizing the efficiency of their machines.

Probably the most enjoyable settings is a straightforward slider to set torque distribution. Would you like a front-drive machine for some bizarre purpose? Simply drag that slider to the left. Are you craving a wild, RWD burnout? Drag that management within the different route and prepare to order your self a brand new set of Pirellis. 

You will additionally discover choices for stuff akin to N Pedal, a track-focused, high-regen mode that ostensibly supplies a everlasting trail-braking impact, on high of all the same old tweakable settings for issues akin to damper stiffness and throttle sharpness.

However essentially the most attention-grabbing choices must do with the Ioniq 5 N’s faux engine noises and its faux transmission. Sure, an 8-speed DCT lives within the Ioniq 5 N, or a digital one anyway, managed by the paddles on the again of the steering wheel. Allow this setting, and the automobile not solely pipes one among three faux engine noises into the cabin but it surely optionally broadcasts them exterior the automobile, too. 

This is not only a trick for rowdy vehicles and low exhibitions. The intent right here is to present drivers on the monitor extra reference factors than you’d get in an in any other case silent EV. It’s additionally meant to supply the extra little bit of endorphin rush obtained when operating a high-strung motor by way of its rev vary. Weirdly, it form of works.

Hyundai Ioniq 5: Experience, dealing with, and dynamics

South Korea is among the many worst locations on the planet to drive a performance-oriented automobile just like the Ioniq 5 N. Sure, it is the birthplace of this machine, however with the frustratingly low velocity limits, extremely dense site visitors, and automatic velocity cameras in all places, it isn’t a spot for driving with wild abandon. 

Nonetheless, these congested streets and highways have been an incredible place to confirm that Hyundai did not break the stellar Ioniq 5 when affixing that N to the again. Pushed in Eco or Regular modes, the 5 N is almost as candy as a daily Ioniq. The journey high quality is essentially a bit compromised due to these massive, low-profile tires, but it surely’s not too harsh and, in any other case, you’d hardly know the distinction.

In these modes, the paddles act as they do on a daily Ioniq 5, toggling braking regen from low to excessive. In its highest setting, the Ioniq 5 N’s regen will promptly convey the automobile proper all the way down to a cease. There is not any lack of performance on the freeway, both, because the Ioniq 5 N affords the most recent taste of Freeway Drive Help with energetic lane management, adaptive cruise management, and even assisted lane adjustments. 

However, to get a really feel for the efficiency of the Ioniq 5 N, I wanted a closed course. Fortunately, we had one on the Korea Worldwide Circuit. Right here, the Ioniq 5 N was a stunning deal with, regardless of its mass. One factor Hyundai did not do was lighten the 5 N. Actually, it weighs greater than a daily Ioniq 5, which is available in simply shy of 4,000 kilos in AWD trim. Hyundai did not say simply how heavy the N is, however on the monitor, you possibly can undoubtedly really feel its heft, particularly within the tighter bends.

As I first received on top of things, the Ioniq 5 N simply stored pushing its nostril by way of the bends. However, as an alternative of going into terminal understeer, turning the wheel a bit of extra and giving extra throttle pulled the nostril proper round. Enabling N Pedal mode for further regen modified that character considerably, making the Ioniq 5 N really feel surprisingly unfastened on the rear finish. The additional weight placed on the nostril by way of corners made a world of distinction.

In that mode, I received nicely and actually sideways popping out of one of many corners, requiring an enormous correction that firmly imprinted an even bigger grin on my face. 

As for the faux dual-clutch transmission and engine noises, I confess I did not like several of the three artificial notes, however the presence of that sound did assist me higher gauge my velocity going into corners. Likewise, utilizing simulated gears made the brand new monitor a bit of simpler to parse and offered reference factors for what gear could possibly be achieved within the numerous monitor sectors. 

I am going to want way more time to move judgment on any of that since there are such a lot of choices to toggle and sliders to fiddle with. It might be nice to spend extra time sampling the torque distribution and in addition feeling with extra element how the N Pedal mode impacts the automobile’s stability. 

I am going to additionally want extra time to substantiate whether or not this automobile has the stamina for correct trackday antics. My time within the Ioniq 5 N was restricted to seven, lower than full-throttle laps of a bisected Korea Worldwide Circuit, a few mile and half per lap. On the finish of that session, I did not discover any efficiency derating by the automobile to handle temps, however then it wasn’t what I might name most assault. 

Hyundai’s Biermannsaid a objective was so that you can do 20 minutes on the monitor, adopted by 20 minutes at a trackside quick charger, adopted by one other 20-minute session with none derating of energy or efficiency. That is a tall order for any EV, and an extended monitor day is required to see the way it handles a lot punishment. For now, it feels succesful, however I would like extra proof.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Wild efficiency at an undisclosed value

The Ioniq 5 N is exceptional as a result of it affords the form of engagement and enjoyable deserving of its periwinkle hue, but it hasn’t given up a lot of the consolation and practicality of a daily Ioniq 5. Because of its excessive ranges of configurability, you possibly can quiet it proper down, soften the suspension, and mood the throttle response to create the sleek, calm driving expertise you need in an EV. 

It is an incredible and fascinating bundle, but it surely may be a spendy one. Hyundai hasn’t offered pricing but. Given the Ioniq 5 N carries a lot extra specialised tools than its hot-rod sister, the Kia EV6 GT, I’ve to think about it’s going to are available in considerably larger than that automobile’s roughly $63,000 beginning value. Simply how a lot larger stays to be seen.

—by Tim Stevens

Hyundai paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.