It’s official: a high-performance version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is on the way, and it’s coming to Australia.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq N performance electric SUV will hit Australian showrooms in 2024 after its global launch in 2023, it has been confirmed – and it is likely to be the first Hyundai to carry a price tag in excess of $100,000.
Confirmation of the Ioniq 5 N came at the Busan motor show in South Korea, alongside the world debut of the Ioniq 6 ‘streamliner’ sedan, the second Hyundai to be built on Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), shared with Kia.
The Ioniq 5 N is based on the Ioniq 5 five-door crossover that went on sale in Australia in 2021, but Australians will have to wait until 2024 to sample the N’s EV performance potential locally.
“We’re excited to confirm the Ioniq 5 N will come to Australia,” said Hyundai Australia spokesman Guido Schenken. “N cars resonate strongly with Australians, and the Ioniq 5 N will add a unique electrified element to our performance portfolio.”
While the Ioniq 5 N has been confirmed for production at the Busan motor show, the car was not actually shown, nor were any technical details released – though other E-GMP models have given a good idea of what to expect (more details further down).
Hyundai instead used the opportunity to publicise two new N-based EV concepts, one developed on the E-GMP platform and the other looking further into a hydrogen-fuelled future (below).
The RN22e concept is based on the new Ioniq 6 electric ‘streamliner’ sedan, but Hyundai says the RN22e is not a concept car precursor to a second Ioniq-based N model. Instead, Hyundai calls it a ‘Rolling Lab Concept’.
“Rolling labs represent the continuous development of our most advanced technologies,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president of Customer Experience at Hyundai. “This unique approach makes us ready for the challenges of the future by empowering us to push ourselves to the limit.”
Hyundai also revealed the N Vision 74, a hydrogen fuel-cell powered coupe, which it says “sets its sights even further” into the future. Read more about the RN22e here and the N Vision 74 here.
As for the Ioniq 5 N, Drive believes it will share a version of the high-performance electric powertrain used in the Kia EV6 GT, pairing a 77.4kWh battery pack with 160kW front motor and 270kW rear motors for a total of 430kW and 740Nm.
If that’s true, the Ioniq 5 N should match the EV6’s claimed 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 260km/h.
The Ioniq 5 N is likely to also get an enhanced version of Hyundai’s e-LSD electronic limited-slip differential, which uses a twin-clutch rear axle setup to apportion torque between the rear tyres to enhance acceleration in and out of corners.
The hot N EV’s brakes should also be larger to account for the vehicle’s increased performance. The EV6 GT (below) wears 380mm front and 360mm rear discs.
The E-GMP platform’s 77.4kWh long-range battery pack has 800-volt fast charging capability and can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes.
In addition to these powertrain enhancements, the Ioniq 5 N may also get an additional driving mode which allows the driver to tailor throttle response, suspension damping, and steering weight and feel to maximise performance.
Interior upgrades to the Ioniq 5 N will probably include slimline N sports seats up front, an N-specific steering wheel with drive-mode dial, and N-specific functionality in the infotainment system.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will be shown globally in the first half of 2023.
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