Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ 5 N — N brand’s first high-performance, all-electric model — made its world premiere today at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England. IONIQ 5 N represents N brand’s electrification future and a new way for high-performance enthusiasts to electrify their passion for driving on road and track.
The new vehicle represents Hyundai’s long-standing legacy of offering high-quality mobility alongside driver-focused N models. N brand made a comeback to WRC in 2014 and its subsequent success with multiple world championships infused Hyundai with a winning DNA, reflected in the N high-performance models. This momentum carries forward with electrification, as the award-winning E-GMP-based IONIQ 5 provides the perfect foundation to create N’s first high-performance EV.
IONIQ 5 N establishes Hyundai N as the technology powerhouse within Hyundai Motor and spearheads advanced technologies to be shared with all Hyundai EVs with the strategic goal of increasing Hyundai’s overall competitiveness. IONIQ 5 N represents the first step to this strategic shift with additional electric N models to follow.
IONIQ 5 N’s Corner Rascal capabilities begin with enhancements to the body-in-white (BIW) structure with 42 additional welding points and 2.1 meters of additional adhesives. The motor and battery mounting are reinforced while front and rear subframes are enhanced for lateral rigidity. World Rally Championship-inspired integrated drive axles (IDA) are applied both front and rear and reinforced to endure stronger electric motor torque while reducing unsprung mass together with the 21-inch forged aluminum wheels.
To enhance steering response and feedback, IONIQ 5 N’s steering column has been strengthened for improved rigidity. Additionally, the vehicle features a specially tuned N R-MDPS (Rack-Mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering) system with a higher steering ratio and enhanced torque feedback. These enhancements result in a more direct and communicative steering experience that will instill greater confidence in drivers.
N Pedal was developed as a solution to address the inherent weight and size of EVs while aiming to achieve the responsive handling characteristics seen in Hyundai’s championship-winning i20 N WRCs. This intelligent software function, found in IONIQ 5 N, is designed to provide instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity. Drawing on similar technology used in i-Pedal’s regenerative braking system, N Pedal prioritizes fast and exhilarating cornering over energy efficiency. By utilizing decelerative force, an aggressive weight transfer is created, resulting in sharper corner entry.
N Drift Optimizer helps to maintain the drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls responding to real-time inputs. The integrated Torque Kick Drift function allows the driver to simulate the clutch kick action of rear-wheel-driven ICE vehicles for driving scenarios that require more immediate drift initiation. This is a result of sophisticated electronic control technology.
N Torque Distribution provides fully variable front and rear torque distribution that can be adjusted to 11 levels. The e-LSD (electronic limited slip differential) at the rear axle optimizes cornering performance and control. Additional wheel sensors and broader damping capacity with increased damper size widens the performance range of the electronically controlled suspension.
As an everyday sportscar, IONIQ 5 N delivers an engaging shift feeling and emotional driving through the integrated N e-shift and N Active Sound +. N e-shift provides a sense of control over power delivery and shift feeling while N Active Sound + works collectively to deliver not only a futuristic EV sound but also ICE-like engine and exhaust sounds that provide a more engaging experience behind the wheel. Together, they enhance the fun and joy of driving by simulating the jolt feel and sound of an ICE vehicle.
Many performance enthusiasts have been outspoken about the lack of driver feedback behind the wheel of many EVs. That’s why Hyundai N engineers developed the N e-shift and N Active Sound + functions to deliver greater driver feedback and therefore more precise driver control of IONIQ 5 N’s dynamic driving. The unique emphasis on precise power control differentiates N’s approach to EV sound from past applications.
N e-shift simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of internal combustion engine (ICE) N cars. It simulates a gearshift by controlling motor torque output and simulates the jolt feeling between shifts. As a result, it provides a more precise, interactive driving experience that feels closer to ICEs than previous EVs.
N Active Sound+ is paired with N e-shift to enhance the driving experience of EVs by creating a more engaging and exciting sensory experience for the driver. It incorporates a 10-speaker system (eight internal, two external) that offers three distinct sound themes. The ‘Ignition’ theme simulates the sound of N’s 2.0T engines and ‘Evolution’ provides a signature high-performance sound inspired by the RN22e. The ‘Supersonic’ theme is a unique concept inspired by twin-engine fighter jets, featuring variable volume during cornering. The objective of N Active Sound+ is to provide drivers with an acoustic reference to gauge the power being utilized.
IONIQ 5 N also is equipped with N Road Sense, which automatically recommends the activation of N Mode when double-curved road signs are detected, enabling drivers to enjoy every second of their drive to the fullest (EU only).
Like the standard IONIQ 5, its N variant is equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), which allows the driver to use the stored energy from the EV’s high-voltage battery to recharge devices, such as an e-bike, electrical camping equipment or domestic appliances — even when the vehicle is turned off.
