N Drift Analyzer confirmed for Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Upcoming EV hot hatch will be 'the true driving enthusiast's choice'
It would be reasonable to say that hopes are high for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The base car is a brilliant EV, the N hot hatches so far have been ace - bringing the two together must make something great, right? We can’t say for sure just yet, but Hyundai has released a few encouraging details ahead of the reveal.
First of those is the N Drift Optimiser, which sounds like N Grin Shift and N Power Shift - i.e., just the sort of silliness that’s made the i30 and i20 N such a laugh. In Hyundai’s own words, the NDO ‘integrates front and rear torque distribution, torque rate, suspension stiffness, steering effort and the e-LSD system to create a driving mode dedicated for drifting.’ Probably not the sort of thing to encourage on the public highway, but a little squiggle here and there never hurt anybody. Apparently the N Drift Optimizer ‘helps drivers of all skill levels to enjoy drifting and it is designed with particular care for drivers who are entering the sport of drifting for the first time.’ Regardless of skill level it’d be rude not to try it out, basically.
The Ioniq 5 is also going to be equipped with something called N Torque Distribution, which works with the e-LSD and the drive modes to give really distinct splits to each axle - presumably each wheel - depending on the setting. ‘N Torque Distribution and e-LSD work together to distribute power to all four wheels in varying ratios and are specifically designed to quickly respond to the instantaneous and seamless power delivery inherent in EVs’, says Hyundai. The e-LSD has been specifically tuned for this installation.
Hyundai is showing all this tech off in a little video with its i20 N WRC Rally 1 car, Ioniq and i20 skidding side by side in the Swedish snow. Which, again, has no relevance at all to the real world - but is quite fun. This is Hyundai N’s first all-wheel drive car, as well as it’s first EV, showing just how far it’s come since the division was only created in 2015.
“Just as our N models are honed at the sharp corners of the Nürburgring, our N models are also honed at the sharp corners and icy surfaces of our proving ground in Arjeplog, ensuring maximum performance in the most extreme winter conditions,” said Till Wartenberg, vice president of N Brand Management & Motorsport. “We’re proud to demonstrate the Ioniq 5 N perfectly meets our broad performance criteria, ensuring N Brand success as our first EV production N model.” Expect to see it shorn of disguise and out of the snow (but probably still sideways) in July.
Google says 2.5 tons? That can't be right. 577hp too but that's ev power so how long can you drive it like a loony before it needs to plug back in?
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