Thursday 18th January 2024

Ioniq 5 N laps 'ring quicker than Ferrari 599

First sportauto EV supertest ever puts Hyundai's hot hatch well under eight minutes

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We’re never far from Nurburgring news, and it's indicative of the current climate that the focus is now very much on EVs. Following Porsche’s confirmation of an upcoming Taycan that’s capable of an astonishing 7:07, sportauto is the first media to take a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to the Nordschleife - and record a 7:45.59 lap. 

Which is not hanging around, no sirree. It’s faster than a host of old sportauto laps, for starters, including the Ferrari 599 GTB, 996 GT2 and original Gallardo Superleggera. It’s within a couple of seconds of more recent runs, too, including Porsche’s pre-production Taycan Turbo (7:42.34), the outgoing AMG C63 coupe (7:44.13 with sportauto) and the previous M2 CS (7:42.99, on a Cup 2 tyre). The Hyundai was using the Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyre and the Sprint mode for the drivetrain, with a bucket seat and harnesses fitted.

It’s an intriguing watch, that’s for sure. The speed is never in doubt, of course, the superbike-style hum a cool accompaniment to acceleration that goes all the way to 159mph on the run to Schwedenkreuz. Which is quick by any measure. There’s plenty of traction and more than 1g often being pulled on the brakes, too. But it’s a busy lap, too, with the driver having to make corrections at parts of the lap (and parts of some corners) you wouldn’t normally expect. Perhaps an indication that two tonnes can only be hidden for so long. Still, it’s an impressive and a handy counterpoint to the argument that EVs don’t really require much driving. 

Speaking of which, Hyundai has another EV now on sale that’ll test your car control: a radio-controlled version of its N Vision 74 concept car - complete with the ability to drift. There looks to be plenty of steering angle to spare your blushes, at least, and lots of fun to be had in a 1:10 scale model that looks almost as good as the real thing. For the moment, sadly, the N Vision 74 RC car is limited to sales in South Korea; on Hyundai’s website it’s there, ready to order - one way to brighten up January - at 498,000 won, or £293 currently. So maybe not one for January. It’s not all bad news, though, as the video description states that availability will be ‘expanded to other markets in the future’. So that’s Christmas 2024 sorted. And then the real thing for 2025, please…

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• New Taycan smashes EV Nurburgring saloon record
• Hyundai N Vision 74 | PH Review

[RB Will]

I'll have to go and test one of these, first electric car that I'm vaguely interested in as it seems, like my old I30N, to have been programmed with a bit of fun rather than just pure efficiency. If they could ram this drivetrain into something I30 sized would probably be a winner for me.

[autumnsum]

Very cool.

Now, how long will this thread last before the facebook scientists ruin it with anti-EV myths?

Battery fire, no range, need to tow a boat to China, I drive 500 miles a day without stopping, they give you cancer, child mines in africa, some conspiracy theory about controlling cars. There, it's done, now don't.

[GT9]

autumnsum said:

Very cool.

Now, how long will this thread last before the facebook scientists ruin it with anti-EV myths?

Battery fire, no range, need to tow a boat to China, I drive 500 miles a day without stopping, they give you cancer, child mines in africa, some conspiracy theory about controlling cars. There, it's done, now don't.

I was in a Tesla Uber the other day and now my cat is pregnant. Just as troubling is that the cat is a boy, these cars are pure evil I tell ya.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Looks like it goes well on the ring. Wouldn't mind a go in one of these, seems like its been built to be fun and not just balls out acceleration.

[howardhughes]

Whoopee do. Im sure I'll sleep better at night for it.

[E90_M3Ross]

Impressive.

I'd still rather a 599, mind.

[fantheman80]

GT9 said:

I was in a Tesla Uber the other day and now my cat is pregnant. Just as troubling is that the cat is a boy, these cars are pure evil I tell ya.

Id report that uber driver if I was you

I am not an Ev fan as such, but I do like this. I am waiting to see the salary sacrifice cost on my car scheme

[Nomme de Plum]

This is really just the beginning.

Porsche are between a rock and a hard place. Will they dial back the potential performance of the EV Boxter and Cayman so as to not outperform their 911s

The Alpine will also be one to look out for.

I almost forgot the new Macan which will be PDQ.

Edited by Nomme de Plum on Thursday 18th January 11:16

[C5_Steve]

Certainly an impressive feat, however, I'm genuinely more excited by the remote control car.

I like the Ioniq 5 and I hope the N version does well though, they're certainly taking the right approach with their EVs by putting some genuine fun into them.

[MountainsofSussex]

So, it seems they've made a track day capable (and potentially enjoyable EV). We really need PH to take one to a real world track day, to find out if it will do a whole session without melting tyres or brakes, or derating. And will it have enough charge to not need to go hunting a motorway service station or something at lunch time? Oh, and is it fun? If it can do all those things, it would really shut a lot of people up. You could argue very few people will actually use it for that, but if you make a hot (mega?) hatch, then that's part of the job description

[JJJ.]

I'm at a loss. It's fast as most EV's are but honestly so what..

[Nomme de Plum]

MountainsofSussex said:

So, it seems they've made a track day capable (and potentially enjoyable EV). We really need PH to take one to a real world track day, to find out if it will do a whole session without melting tyres or brakes, or derating. And will it have enough charge to not need to go hunting a motorway service station or something at lunch time? Oh, and is it fun? If it can do all those things, it would really shut a lot of people up. You could argue very few people will actually use it for that, but if you make a hot (mega?) hatch, then that's part of the job description

There was a chap here that owns the Kia EV6GT and a BAC Mono. On a rainy track day he used the EV6 and posted the video, It was overtaking everything.

[mmm-five]

Will be perfect for TF days at the 'Ring, as 'most' supercar owners turn up, sit in the car park for an hour, do a lap, sit in the car park for an hour, have a coffee, do a lap, sit in the car park for an hour, ad infinitum.

So as long as they can park in a space with a charger, then they'll be able to 'drive all day'

I wouldn't turn one down if I was offered one. Would prefer their Pony/Vision 74 concept though.

[GT9]

cava said:

I'll be surprised if the N could do multiple laps at that pace though. All EV track videos I've seen (admittedly not that many) result in overheating and the car going into limited power mode.

My car has 400bhp and is already anti-socially fast and quite frustrating to drive on the road. I can't see the point of giving a hot hatch over 600bhp. Why not less powerful, smaller battery, and therefore lighter?

Batteries are sized for range, the power rating is a freebie.
The car doesn't have a gearbox, the 600 bhp rating only ever gets deployed momentarily at 60 mph or above.
It's impossible to access it below that speed.

[GT9]

Nomme de Plum said:

There was a chap here that owns the Kia EV6GT and a BAC Mono. On a rainy track day he used the EV6 and posted the video, It was overtaking everything.

Still posting, I think he's on his way to Birmingham as we speak.

[Nomme de Plum]

JJJ. said:

I'm at a loss. It's fast as most EV's are but honestly so what..

EVs are becoming better in every way than outgoing ICEs. That is just progress.

Now they will run alongside each other well into the 2040s or even a bit longer and people can still have their fun ICEs/ track cars.

Goodwood Revival will still be a great few days and I don't see that stopping just because day to day motoring is done in EVs.

[WCZ]

very cool and one of the few desireable ev's imo

[TikTak]

I quite like the look of the Ioniq, and as the title says it's a hatch. Except it isn't.

When I saw one of these in the flesh I couldn't get over how gigantic it is.

That might make this slightly more impressive, if I could stop thinking that I'm permanently viewing it on 120% zoom.

[Bladedancer]

autumnsum said:

Very cool.

Now, how long will this thread last before the facebook scientists ruin it with anti-EV myths?

Battery fire, no range, need to tow a boat to China, I drive 500 miles a day without stopping, they give you cancer, child mines in africa, some conspiracy theory about controlling cars. There, it's done, now don't.

I think you don't quite get the meaning of word "myth". Many of those listed are inconvienent facts that pro-EV lobby ignores and anti-EV exaggerate, but those are facts nonetheless.
Making a post like that doesn't make you look any more intelligent than the anti-EV crowd tbh. Condescending and holier-than-though yes, but not intelligent.
I suggest watching "jayem on cars" for a fairly balanced piece on EVs. We now, as with most things, have two sides that largerly cover their ears shouting "lalalala".

[Nomme de Plum]

GT9 said:

Still posting, I think he's on his way to Birmingham as we speak.