Ahead of the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Hyundai has given its all-electric flagship the Ioniq 5 an ‘N-spec’ makeover. Called the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the compact SUV is now more driver-focused and offers a heightened performance as compared to its predecessors.
Starting the main highlights, the biggest difference comes here in the form of a bigger 84 kWh battery pack, which replaces the 72kW unit found on the standard model. Along with it, folks at Hyundai have also revised the front and rear electric motors, to deliver 225PS and 383PS respectively.
Combined, this takes the total output to 609PS. But wait, the new boost mode takes this output up a notch at almost 650PS, more than the Kia EV6 GT! To put things in perspective, this translates to a 0-100kmph sprint in 3.4 seconds, way quicker than the standard model’s timing of 7.4 seconds.
But it isn’t just the blistering speed and quick acceleration which takes the headlines here. Hyundai’s N-spec models have been known for their engagement with the driver. To improve this, the carmaker has bolstered the overall structural integrity of the car, adding 42 additional welding points and 2.1 meters of additional adhesives to improve rigidity. The steering column has also been strengthened to manage excessive loads at high speeds. Then there’s the 11-level N Torque Distribution system, which helps you choose torque distribution at the front and the back. Also, new here is the N Drift Optimizer, with a Torque Kick Drift function that’ll allow you to simulate the clutch kick action of a real-wheel drive ICE car.
Like it or not, you have to tame all of this performance somewhere. The solution comes in the form of a four-piston, 400mm front disc, and a 360mm rear unit. This braking hardware works alongside the revised regenerative braking system, which alone can provide 0.6 G of decelerative force.
Electronic bells and whistles here consist of an N Race mode, that lets the driver choose between ‘Endurance’ and ‘Sprint’ settings, with the former reducing the peak power for longer sessions on the track, while the latter does the opposite. Additionally, you get N e-shift mode, which as per Hyundai can stimulate the feel of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, essentially giving you the famous jolt while shifting gears. For a real immersive experience, there is also something called an N Active Sound+ that uses eight internal and two external speakers to mimic an ‘Ignition’ sound profile.
Visual changes here are mostly focused on expanding the dimensions. The noticeable difference though comes in the form of a new splitter, air curtains, air flaps, a spoiler at the rear, and a rather pronounced diffuser. Fortunately, the 21-inch forged aluminum wheels come as standard, wrapped in race-spec 275/35 Pirelli P Zero tyres.
Interiors too are in-line with the company’s N-spec models, with a new steering wheel, N-branded buttons, new metal paddle shifters and of course, bucket seats. There’s no official confirmation as yet if Hyundai will bring the Ioniq 5 N to India. Although, we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Image Credits – Hyundai
