- Spies in Germany have spotted the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
- Huge brakes can be seen behind the wheels
- It could make in the neighbourhood of 600hp
News of an ultra-powerful Ioniq 5 EV has been bouncing around for months, with development prototypes being spotted in shadowy areas of Hyundai HQ. This time around, our spies in Germany have caught our best look yet at what promises to be one of the hottest vehicles to wear an N badge.
This test mule has much more aggressive front and rear fascia details than a workaday Ioniq 5. Peep the angry vertical slashes in the jowls of its fore bumper, suggesting there may be some aero at play, or perhaps these details are funneling extra air to the N’s friction brakes. Around back we find more of the same, with tall slats placed vertically on the bumper’s bookends, stretching from just under the cubist tail lights to the top of that diffuser-esque valence.
And – this is worth a paragraph all of its own – a rear wiper sprouts from the back glass. Praise the pharaohs. Let’s hope this detail makes it to our side of the pond.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Boots on the ground report this car seemed to have an extraordinarily stiffly-sprung suspension as it wended its way around the track. Combined with the extra-large brake discs that can be spotted peeping from behind the multi-spoke wheels, it sure seems like Hyundai is interested in more than just making the Ioniq 5 N go fast in a straight line. Whether one will need a kidney belt to weather the ride quality remains to be seen. The tires on this test mule have had their sidewalls scrubbed of identifying markings, but it’s safe to say these are very low-profile socks.
Power numbers are unknown but one can make some logical deductions based on other offerings in the Hyundai-Kia family. The slinky Kia EV6, showing up for duty not long after the rectilinear Ioniq appeared, is available in hot GT trim making 585 horsepower and packing all-wheel-drive. The Ioniq 5 N will assuredly have the latter, and is very likely to make a few ponies more than the Kia in a petulant fit of sibling rivalry.
Will it crest 600 horses? We shall see. Albert Biermann, chassis wizard and head of R&D for Hyundai Motor Group, said a couple of years ago that this E-GMP platform “will go almost up to 600 horsepower in certain models,” suggesting there may yet be a bit more in the (electric) tank.
And since we are two years adrift from that statement, it is logical to think the company has plowed development dollars into the platform since then, potentially giving it the capability to handle even more power.
Keyword: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 spotted in a hotted-up new N trim