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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