Hyundai Ioniq 5 N inbound
The first electric Hyundai N is just a few months away, and things are shaping up nicely...
Almost lost in the announcement of a stunning reimagination of the Pony Coupe Concept and the twin drift shots with the RN22e was Hyundai’s confirmation of an Ioniq 5 N. It really was nothing more than making official what we all suspected, too; Hyundai didn’t tease any details, publish grainy images or hint at any outputs. It just told the world it was going to happen.
Of course, it says a great deal about the reputation of both the Ioniq 5 and Hyundai's N division in general that nothing more than that was required for the internet to sit up and take notice. After all, the Ioniq 5 is already very good in conventional spec. A fire-breathing N version is likely to double down on that fact. Plus, it would be the first-ever production N-branded EV - and they have a reputation for coming out swinging.
Here’s our best look yet at the car in question, complete with lightning bolt camo and ‘never just drive’ graphic. (Almost like Hyundai wants you to know about it.) Other notable features from these latest pics include red brake calipers (nice to see the old hot hatch traditions endure), bigger rotors for them to clasp and larger wheels for the arrangement to nestle behind. Or maybe that’s just a trick played by a lower ride height, as the Ioniq can already be had with 20-inch wheels - 21s might be a tad excessive.
Furthermore, while we’re obviously not going to get rowdy exhausts on this N flagship, some familiar cues are expected. The front end here is more aggressive than a standard Ioniq 5, with additional splitters and flics, and the disguise seems to be hiding some broader arches. Remember the RN22e concept had 275-section tyres, so an equivalent Ioniq would need some changes to accommodate that. Red pinstriping seems almost guaranteed.
A link between the production Ioniq 5 and skiddy concept isn’t as daft as it sounds, either, as this N is likely to feature that car’s powertrain - the same twin-motor, all-wheel drive, 585hp motor as seen in the recently launched Kia EV6 GT. Which ought to be more than ample, even with two tonnes to shift. It shoots the Kia to 62mph in 3.5 seconds and onto 160mph, after all. No reason why this car wouldn’t have the EV6’s drift mode, either, with the same twin motor set up. Imagine being this excited about an electric Kia half a dozen years ago.
As befits Hyundai’s tradition, any other concrete details regarding the Ioniq 5 N are very thin on the ground. But the manufacturer's tight-lipped approach to the car during its N-based EV extravaganza suggests it is building up to a model-specific reveal ahead of 2023. After all, there’s already that near-600hp Kia out there; bring on the near-600hp Hyundai to go alongside it…
Image credit | S. Baldauf/S.B.Medien
However.
If I were looking at a near 600bhp AWD monster I'm not sure it would be here.
Clearly cost comes into it. But surely you'd want fire sound and fury with that. Or is that just me?
IMHO the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the best looking cars on the road today! This will be absolutely awesome.
The only thing that irks me is the very 90's looking Hyundai badge that doesn't sit right with the rest of the car. I'd take it off right away!
Hardly end of the world stuff…
My other half is a service manager at a Kia main dealer group and often brings home an EV6 GT, Stinger, new Sorento etc. It's perfectly fair to say that the Koreans are no longer floundering behind the Germans in terms of quality and refinement.
I'm struggling to find an ICE car that has over 500bhp and is circa 50 - 55k brand new.
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