Friday 12th January 2024

Hyundai NPX1 previews Ioniq 5 N Performance Parts

So it's not a racing car. But it's definitely meant to look like one...

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There’s nothing like modifying a hot hatch, and putting your own stamp on it. The appeal of tasteful (or not) upgrading was seized upon by Hyundai for almost as long as it’s been making N flagships, the first N Performance Parts launched in 2019; availability hasn’t exactly been widespread, which is disappointing, but their existence at least shows some intent. And it all looks set to continue into the electric N future, too, as this spectacular NPX1 previews the Performance Parts that are coming for the Ioniq 5 N. Let’s all hope these make it out of South Korea…

The most obvious change for the show car is the additional carbon fibre, with a new front splitter, rear diffuser, massive wing and chunky side skirts making the N stand out even more than standard. This Ioniq 5 has also been treated to the hybrid carbon wheels seen at the Festival of Speed last year - and fabulous they look, too - plus lowering springs to further ramp up the attitude. Uprated brake pads are included as well. 

Though the inside of the N can’t be seen yet, the upgrades are said to include bucket seats and Alcantara; no modified hot hatch would be complete without them, though you’ll want to be even more careful taking the family out in an Ioniq 5 with Performance Parts. Imagine juice and yoghurt on the Alcantara!

While this Hyundai is officially a concept for the moment, it’s very much that the parts are prototype items rather than the idea being a far-fetched reality: ‘The concept model previews an array of enhancements by N Performance Parts that will be available for purchase by customers in the near future’ reckons the press release. That’s as soon as this year, in fact, with an expansion of bits available for all N cars due. Let’s hope more folk get to experience them, too. 

Hyundai’s VP of the N brand is Joon Park, who said of the NPX1: “In 2024, Hyundai Motor Company will take a step forward as a leader in new tuning parts suitable for the high-performance EV era as demonstrated with the ‘NPX1’ concept model. Not limited to tuning parts, we are also developing software customization such as sound and vehicle calibration by OTA updates which will open a completely new category of EV customization for an exciting future ahead for the tuning community.”

Sounds like good news to us - expect plenty more from Hyundai as the year goes on.

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• 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 | PH Review
• BMW 128ti vs. Hyundai i30 N vs. Golf GTI Clubsport

[lotus116tornado]

Max Power for the GenZ generation.

If this comes to the UK it will be £75k which discounts 99% of GenZ.

No doubt it will take records at the Ring but will anyone actually buy it.

[Filibuster]

The Ioniq is one of the best looking mainstream cars on sale atm. The flat silver especially suits zhe lines and gives them a back to the future vibe.
I don‘t think these mods suit it, visually.

What they do performance wise will be great no doubt! But is it really needed? The track will be the one place ICE cars will still be driving in 100 years. Much like horses today.

[Orchardab]

Good job someone wants to make an attempt of making EV interesting.
If I was to go ev, this is what I would go with.

[wolfie28]

The Darth Vader Edition.

[Twinair]

Could be, could be… :-))

[spikyone]

Looks superb, agree that it's a cracking-looking car and hands-down the best looking EV. But... It's also huge, more like a small SUV without the ground clearance, and at £65k starting for the Ioniq 5N it's stupidly expensive. At that sort of money I'd take an interesting used V8, or save myself £15k and get a new Civic Type R.

Great to see Hyundai trying to do something for enthusiasts though, too many bean counters and stupid regulations seem to have killed that off for a lot of brands.

[DannyScene]

Nice, they've given a ste bland looking car a bit of character! If I had to have an EV this is what I'd be buying

[MrHooky]

Spoiler a bit much but I quite like the rest of the adds-ons. Wheels and ride height look good - plus I like the idea of this as a plus size EV run around - if my work ever sorts out a salary sacrifice this is on the short list.

Would want a more exciting colour though (like the powder blue one previously shown)...

[Seven7]

Hyundai are smashing it these days.

[J4CKO]

Filibuster said:

The Ioniq is one of the best looking mainstream cars on sale atm.

Yeah, they are a striking looking thing.

[Silvanus]

No one has mentioned that it is the biggest car in the world and weighs 15 tons yet.

Compared to many EVs, this is pretty cool, would definitely take one over something like a Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model Y or an Audi Q4 etron.

[redroadster]

Very lancia delta looking .

[Tomatogti]

spikyone said:

Looks superb, agree that it's a cracking-looking car and hands-down the best looking EV. But... It's also huge, more like a small SUV without the ground clearance, and at £65k starting for the Ioniq 5N it's stupidly expensive. At that sort of money I'd take an interesting used V8, or save myself £15k and get a new Civic Type R.

Great to see Hyundai trying to do something for enthusiasts though, too many bean counters and stupid regulations seem to have killed that off for a lot of brands.

It's huge and has 650 bhp. Which means that £65k is reasonable value. If I was in the market for an EV then I'd be very interested in this as a replacement for my C63 wagon (though I'd rather an electric estate if I had to go electric, but perhaps given the batteries needed, this is a close as you'll get). Comparing to a used car or a car with half the power makes no sense.

But agree with your final comment, we need electric cars to be more appealing.

[spikyone]

Tomatogti said:

spikyone said:

Looks superb, agree that it's a cracking-looking car and hands-down the best looking EV. But... It's also huge, more like a small SUV without the ground clearance, and at £65k starting for the Ioniq 5N it's stupidly expensive. At that sort of money I'd take an interesting used V8, or save myself £15k and get a new Civic Type R.

Great to see Hyundai trying to do something for enthusiasts though, too many bean counters and stupid regulations seem to have killed that off for a lot of brands.

It's huge and has 650 bhp. Which means that £65k is reasonable value. If I was in the market for an EV then I'd be very interested in this as a replacement for my C63 wagon (though I'd rather an electric estate if I had to go electric, but perhaps given the batteries needed, this is a close as you'll get). Comparing to a used car or a car with half the power makes no sense.

But agree with your final comment, we need electric cars to be more appealing.

A 650bhp ICE car, yep, I'd consider it a bargain. Power claims on EVs are not that meaningful IMO, you can't think of their outputs as being comparable to an ICE. The power delivery and effect of weight (2300kg unladen!) have a huge effect. In reality this is akin to a 300-400bhp ICE.

I'm sure most will "buy" these on PCP or lease, so the headline numbers are probably irrelevant. And those who are big believers in EVs will perceive its value differently. But however good it looks and drives it feels very punchy to me at £65k.

[BrownEaredDog]

J4CKO said:

Filibuster said:

The Ioniq is one of the best looking mainstream cars on sale atm.

Yeah, they are a striking looking thing.

"Striking" is a very good description. We've had a couple in the body shop and my only gripe is that the design is a little "busy" - lots of sharp lines, angles and indentations that look a little strange when viewed up close. They're also very "colour-sensitive" if you know what I mean? Lighter colours look much better to these eyes, the dark two-tone examples look a bit of a dog's dinner.

Oh, and the front doors with the sharp crease are a bit of a bugger to work on when they've been dented[1]; apparently they're quite expensive to replace and there aren't any cheapo Chinese pattern panels for them yet so insurance companies aren't keen on coughing up for OEM...

Sorry for the OT post, as you were

[1] - but satisfying when I'm done

Edited by BrownEaredDog on Friday 12th January 17:45

[_ppan]

spikyone said:

A 650bhp ICE car, yep, I'd consider it a bargain. Power claims on EVs are not that meaningful IMO, you can't think of their outputs as being comparable to an ICE. The power delivery and effect of weight (2300kg unladen!) have a huge effect. In reality this is akin to a 300-400bhp ICE.

I'm sure most will "buy" these on PCP or lease, so the headline numbers are probably irrelevant. And those who are big believers in EVs will perceive its value differently. But however good it looks and drives it feels very punchy to me at £65k.

What new ICE car with 300-400hp does 0-62 on 3.4 seconds? What new 65k ICE car does that? And do you know what an RS6 or M5 weight? I don't hear anyone complaining at their handeling...That's before considering the Ioniq 5's lower COG.

Or put differently: which new ICE-cars with that power and/or does 3.4 seconds to 62mph that can bring the whole family along with luggage and weighs as much or less do you know for 65k?

Edited by _ppan on Friday 12th January 21:08

Edited by _ppan on Friday 12th January 21:10

[nismo48]

It's definitely a "Dark Horse" should blend in with all the current grey's

[Silvanus]

_ppan said:

spikyone said:

A 650bhp ICE car, yep, I'd consider it a bargain. Power claims on EVs are not that meaningful IMO, you can't think of their outputs as being comparable to an ICE. The power delivery and effect of weight (2300kg unladen!) have a huge effect. In reality this is akin to a 300-400bhp ICE.

I'm sure most will "buy" these on PCP or lease, so the headline numbers are probably irrelevant. And those who are big believers in EVs will perceive its value differently. But however good it looks and drives it feels very punchy to me at £65k.

What new ICE car with 300-400hp does 0-62 on 3.4 seconds? What new 65k ICE car does that? And do you know what an RS6 or M5 weight? I don't hear anyone complaining at their handeling...That's before considering the Ioniq 5's lower COG.

Or put differently: which new ICE-cars with that power and/or does 3.4 seconds to 62mph that can bring the whole family along with luggage and weighs as much or less do you know for 65k?

Edited by _ppan on Friday 12th January 21:08

Edited by _ppan on Friday 12th January 21:10

All that makes this look a bargain.

[ajf355]

It’s still a boring EV though, and it’ll cost a stupid amount for the (lack of) pleasure of it.

[_ppan]

Silvanus said:

All that makes this look a bargain.

Slower, cheaper built, technologically one generation behind, smaller, subsidized Chinese camera on wheels. Of course it's cheaper.