Hyundai unveils the IONIQ 5 N: performance and… rear wiper
Hyundai manufactures performance products through its N-division. Mainly focused on driving pleasure, the name N was chosen in reference to the Nürburgring, the famous race track located in Germany.
In Canada, 3 models have so far been marketed by this division, namely the Hyundai Veloster N, the Elantra N and the Kona N. Un 4e vehicle will soon be offered in the N range; he will be the most powerful yet in the series. There Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is also the group’s first performance electric car and promises 642 horsepower.
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Power and performance
Built on Hyundai-Kia Group’s Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the IONIQ 5 N guarantees more power than the regular IONIQ 5. The car has 2 motors to power the 4 wheels of the vehicle. The front motor puts out 166 kilowatts, the rear motor 282 kilowatts, for a combined total of 448 kilowatts (600 horsepower) and 546 pound-feet of torque. This therefore allows the IONIQ 5 N to distinguish itself slightly from its cosmic cousin, the Kia EV6 GT, which provides 430 kilowatts (576 horsepower) and 545 lb-ft of torque.
For more power, Hyundai offers an N Grin Boost drive mode that produces 642 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, which would allow the IONIQ 5 N to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. . Both motors are powered by a new 84 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The range offered by the vehicle is still unknown at the time of this writing, but Hyundai adds that the IONIQ 5 N can reach a top speed of 260 kilometers per hour.
Calibrated for racing
Hyundai was quick to announce that the new N was conceptualized as a performance car. The manufacturer has repeated several times that the car aspires to the three main concepts applied to the N division. The three elements revolve around the efficiency of the vehicle to be excellent in the curves, on the track and in the life of all days.
To achieve this, the manufacturer says it has reworked the suspension as well as the general skills of the IONIQ 5 N. Equipped with electronic shock absorbers, the IONIQ 5 N is able, again according to Hyundai, to be both comfortable on the road and efficient in a race situation. Reinforcements on the body and the chassis as well as 42 welds have been added to improve the rigidity of the product, according to the statements of the manufacturer.
The steering column has been modified, and a rack specific to the IONIQ 5 N improves its response and feedback. Beneath the 21-inch forged aluminum wheels and 275/35R21 Pirelli P-Zero tires, large brakes are hidden. In fact, the IONIQ 5 N is equipped with the most powerful braking system to date for the manufacturer. The vehicle therefore has 400 millimeter diameter front discs and 4-piston monoblock calipers and 360 millimeter rear discs.
A limited-slip differential makes it possible to manage the power of the electric motors separately. These are ultra-fast data reads that tell the on-board computers where power should be redistributed to give the IONIQ 5 N remarkable performance, according to Hyundai.
Play on feelings
Hyundai points out that one of the problems with electric vehicles is the lack of communication with the driver. As they are silent, it is more difficult, in the eyes of the manufacturer, to convey emotions similar to those felt in a car with a heat engine to performance enthusiasts.
To counter this problem, the manufacturer is presenting two new technologies. The first is called N e-shift. This technology simulates the shifting feeling of the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of the N internal combustion engines. The device exploits the engine torque as well as the feeling of jerk during gear changes to offer a more precise and interactive driving experience closer to thermal vehicles, according to Hyundai.
Still to make the car more performance-oriented, the manufacturer unveiled the second novelty: N Active Sound+. Combined directly with the N e-shift mode, the N Active Sound+ aims to give the driver an acoustic reference to assess the power used when driving.
The system is made up of 10 loudspeakers (eight internal, two external) which offer three distinct sound themes. The first is called “Ignition” and simulates the sound of the 2-litre turbocharged engines of the N vehicles currently offered. The second, “Evolution”, provides a high-performance signature tone inspired by the RN22e concept. The latest, “Supersonic,” is unique, according to the company, and modeled after twin-engine fighter jets.
The different themes are adaptable to the taste of the driver. According to Hyundai, it is also possible to recreate the “pop and bang” din attributed to the downshifting of the internal combustion engine N models.
Heavier than the regular IONIQ 5
The N model is further distinguished from the IONIQ 5 by an adjustment of proportions. The car is lower by 20 millimeters, wider by 50 and longer by 80. In terms of aesthetics, the car is undergoing changes. However, according to Hyundai, these differences not only improve the appearance, but also the performance of the N. Air intakes at the front give a more fierce style to the vehicle, while enriching the cooling of the braking system. The spoiler, diffuser and air outlet located at the rear help control the airflow to promote the performance of the car, according to the manufacturer. Surprise, while the regular model is still not offered with a rear windshield wiper, the IONIQ 5 N will be entitled to a windshield wiper, which thus corrects a major manufacturing defect for Canadian vehicles.
In addition to its exterior aesthetic elements, the IONIQ 5 N has also been entitled to some changes inside. The seats, of the racing type, are placed lower than the regular version of the IONIQ 5 to perfect the driving position. Firmer and designed to improve lateral support, the seats are made for the track, but also for the road, according to Hyundai. They are covered with a pixel pattern and are available in fabric/leather or Alcantara/leather. Of course, several N badges have been added to the interior and exterior to recall its sporting identity.
Pricing has still not been announced for this new version of the IONIQ 5, nor when it will be introduced to the Canadian market. Hyundai says in its press release that the IONIQ 5 N is the first mass performance electric vehicle to be manufactured by the company, but it does not specify how much of the IONIQ 5 N it expects to produce.
