We’ve had a chance to drive the latest prototype of the upcoming Ioniq 5 N hot EV
- Over 500bhp expected
- Sportier bodykit
- Debuts in July 2023
After plenty of teasers and spy shots, we’ve finally had a chance to test the Ioniq 5 N prototype around the Nurburgring. As the EV market grows, manufacturers are keen to show the fun side of driving will remain in the electric world, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a clear statement of that, turning Carbuyer’s Electric Car of the Year in 2021 into a giant-slaying hot hatch.
Hyundai claims Ioniq 5 N – the brand’s first-ever hot electric model – is already meeting the performance standards expected of the N badge during testing. The car is also the brand’s first N production model to get all-wheel drive.
The Ioniq 5 N will be fitted with innovative technology, including Hyundai’s ‘N Drift Optimiser’ – a driving mode intended for drivers of all skill levels. It can monitor each wheel’s grip level and adjust power from its motors to where it’s needed, as well as altering the suspension’s stiffness. This system is also claimed to make the car’s cornering more responsive and accurate at high speeds on a circuit.
The Ioniq 5 N will stand out, thanks to larger wheels housing bigger brakes, a deeper chin spoiler and additional ducting in the front bumper. A rear spoiler extends from the back window and you can bet there will be other styling details hidden beneath the camouflage.
Pricing is still yet to be announced although with the Ioniq 5 reaching a price of over £50,000 in top trim, we can expect the ‘N’ model to be more expensive with a possible price tag of around £60,000. This will pit it against rivals including the Tesla Model 3 Performance, BMW i4 M50, Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor as well as the smaller and cheaper Cupra Born and upcoming MG4 XPower hot hatch.
Hyundai has been tight-lipped about performance figures, although Hyundai’s RN22e concept gave us a glimpse of the firepower we could expect from the Ioniq 5 N. The concept is clearly based on a potential N variant of the larger Ioniq 6, but, it utilises the same EMP-2 underpinnings, 77.4kWh battery and dual-electric motor setup as the standard Ioniq 5. This produces a silent but impressive 569bhp – substantially more than the 301bhp found in the current range-topping version of the Ioniq 5, while it’s slightly less than in the upcoming Kia EV6 GT.
The Ioniq 5 N is also getting special pre-conditioning modes which work to boost performance via a new radiator system that cools the battery. In ‘Drag’ mode it maintains the cells’ temperature at between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius for better power delivery, while it’s cooled further in ‘Track’ mode. In ‘N’ driving mode the battery temperature can be monitored through the digital dash. The Ioniq 5 N will come with various other drive modes, such as ‘Sprint’ and ‘Endurance’ depending on the type of track you’ll be tackling.
The N Active Sound + feature aims to solve the problem of the relatively unexciting silence of electric motors; this will play synthesised sounds through the car’s internal speakers in order to give the driver more feedback – similar to the AMG Performance Sound mode in the new Mercedes EQE 53. An N e-shift function also simulates the feelings of gear changes via steering wheel vibrations and jolts through the electric motors. Regenerative braking tech is also tailored to give a greater sense of engine braking when lifting off the throttle, as would be felt in a petrol model, with a new system called ‘N Pedal’.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N prototype review – Sean Carson
We drove a prototype version of the Ioniq 5 N at the Nurburgring GP circuit to get an idea of how the model is shaping up.
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As we stepped into the Ioniq 5 N we noticed a few features differentiating it from the standard Ioniq 5, such as sports bucket seats which will make the production version. As supportive as they are, we wished the driving position was a little lower, although this is something that’s hard to change given the position of the car’s batteries in the floor space. Happily, though, the seats are still cushioned well enough that they’d be comfortable for longer road journeys as well as keeping you in place when whipping around a racetrack.
Upon setting off, it was very clear that the Ioniq 5 N is designed with fun at the forefront, with the clever N e-shift system simulating the sensation of an eight-speed automatic gearbox, despite the EV’s single forward speed. With the system activated, the motors give the car a jolt like in a combustion-engined car as it changes gear, providing a greater feeling of engagement. This can also be deactivated, giving the same smooth feel of a traditional electric car.
There’s also an N Active Sound+ system to simulate one of three engine sounds through the car’s stereo – these comprise ‘Ignition’, which emulates a sporty four-cylinder turbo engine like you’d find in a traditional petrol hot hatch, ‘Evolution’, which is more of a progressive hum, and ‘Supersonic’ which gives the car a spaceship-like noise. While we like the idea, the latter two modes were not to our tastes – fortunately, we’re told the sound of the Ioniq 5 N is the focus of much of the car’s final development, so it could improve for the production model.
The regenerative braking system is designed to give a greater feeling of engine braking as experienced in a petrol car, and uses a combination of motor regen and friction braking, which felt well managed on our drive. We did find that the nose of the car rebounded and rose quite quickly when letting off the brakes, but this could be mitigated by adjusting your driving style.
While the steering is sharp, it doesn’t offer much in the way of feedback. The Ioniq 5 N is a heavy car, and yet toggling the suspension to its sportiest setting does a good job of keeping it composed. A clever torque vectoring system also helps keep the car nimble through corners, although through fast uphill bends its weight is more apparent – the Ioniq 5 N feels at its best in slow to mid-speed corners.
Its Sport+ setting feels expectedly firm on the open road, but put the car into its default setting and it’s more fluid, doing a much better job at absorbing imperfections in the road and giving a good level of comfort.
Verdict
While development is still underway for the final production model, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is shaping up to be an impressive hot electric car. This is helped by Hyundai sticking with an ethos of driving fun and engagement over merely serving up impressive on-paper performance stats – although these are equally impressive. The simulated soundtrack needs some improvement, but the car’s artificial gear ratios are surprisingly convincing and effective.
Keyword: New 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: details and prototype review