SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Company is testing the performance capabilities of Ioniq 5 N at the Nürburgring circuit for its world premiere this month.
For Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai Motor has combined its Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with N’s motorsport-bred technologies and expertise to maximise the EV’s high performance capabilities and ensure it meets N’s three pillars of N performance: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportscar.
To achieve this, Hyundai Motor combined the strengths of Namyang R&D Center located in South Korea and its European Test Center at the Nürburgring, which is an extension of Hyundai’s European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, where the brand’s European design and engineering teams have been based since 2003.
By having a full-time presence at the track, Hyundai’s N team of engineers are able to evaluate and develop the durability and driving dynamics of its vehicles more effectively and more often.
Hyundai N brand has long used the Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) track to validate motorsport-bred technologies on N brand vehicles and Ioniq 5 N is no exception despite the technical challenges unique for EVs.
Extracting maximum performance from an EV requires strict discipline on heat management compared to cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) and that requires advanced software implementation. This means each hardware upgrade is further reinforced by advanced software-based performance enhancements.
Ioniq 5 N’s heat management through cooling is given particular care as EVs are more challenging to cool than its ICE predecessors.
An enlarged cooling area with N-specific efficient radiator packaging, enhanced motor oil cooler and battery chiller complete the hardware enhancements similar to ICE vehicles. These hardware cooling techniques are further reinforced by new heat management solutions, such as N Battery Preconditioning and N Race.
N Battery Preconditioning pre-sets the temperature of the battery cells to their most power efficient temperature.
N Race gives drivers more direct control on the car’s energy usage, prioritising ‘Sprint’ or ‘Endurance’ driving.
‘Sprint’ is the default state of Ioniq 5 N prioritising full power on demand for the driver. ‘Endurance’ is a setting that maximizes Ioniq 5 N’s range on the racetrack. This is achieved by limiting sudden power spikes that slows temperature build-up and increases endurance.
Regenerative braking from the motors provide primary braking force with hydraulic brakes providing additional braking force if necessary. Hyundai N engineers designed this unique regenerative braking system especially for Ioniq 5 N, offering up to a maximum of 0.6 G decelerative force — an industry leading figure — through regenerative braking alone. Regenerative braking remains engaged even under ABS activation with a maximum of 0.2 G decelerative force.
Ioniq 5 N’s hydraulic brakes are enhanced with larger 400-mm diameter discs, featuring new lightweight material and optimised airflow for cooling. They reduced dependency on disc brakes increases the longevity compared to ICE vehicles.
Many performance enthusiasts have been outspoken about their dissatisfaction with the lack of driver feedback behind the wheel of many EVs.
Hyundai’s response was to develop N Active Sound + and N e-Shift in order to deliver greater driver feedback and more precise driver control of the vehicle’s dynamic handling. N brand’s unique emphasis on precise driver feedback is said to differentiate it from past iterations of EV sound.
N Active Sound + consists of a 10-speaker system (eight internal, two external) that provides three different sound themes available for drivers: Ignition, Evolution and Supersonic.
Ignition simulates the 2.0 turbo engine of ICE N cars complete with pop and bang sound effects while Evolution is a N signature electronic sound inspired by the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Concept and RN22e. Supersonic simulates a fighter jet to give the drivers the sensation of a fighter pilot.
All sound options are customisable for drivers to uniquely tailor to their preference.
N e-Shift works closely with N Active Sound + to simulate the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of ICE N cars. N e-Shift simulates a gearshift by controlling motor torque output and simulates the jolt feeling between shifts.
The goal is to allow drivers to seamlessly use driving techniques honed with ICE cars for a more immersive driving experience that feels closer to ICEs than EVs.
In conjunction with the Nürburgring test, N brand released ‘an Ioniq 5 N film teaser, highlighting Ioniq 5 N’s Racetrack Capability.
The film depicts Ioniq 5 N undergoing intense endurance testing at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife, reaching its 10,000km testing milestone.
Ioniq 5 N is scheduled to complete an additional 10,000km durability test before production in order to confirm the vehicle’s enhanced mechanical endurance as well as the seamless functionality of its intelligent software.
Ioniq 5 N will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking Hyundai N’s first participation at this event.
A dedicated Hyundai N stand will host Ioniq 5 N’s world premiere announcement on July 13 as well as other activities designed to engage the public.
In addition, multiple N vehicles, including the hydrogen-powered N Vision 74 will participate on the iconic hill climb.
Additional information and details will be released building up to Ioniq 5 N’s world premiere.
Keyword: Hyundai puts Ioniq 5 N through the wringer before Goodwood reveal