Hyundai N’s incoming hot EV shows off its party tricks including ‘engine’ noise, virtual gearshift and drift mode
Hyundai is steaming up the hype train as the global reveal of the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N inches closer, releasing the most explicit teaser yet of the upcoming battery-electric high-performance SUV.
The latest teaser is a 73-second video of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N tearing around Seoul and the Korean car-maker’s Namyang R&D centre with its long-promised N Sound+ synthetic engine noise, N e-shift virtual gearshift and N Drift mode all on full display.
Closely related to the Kia EV6 GT, the IONIQ 5 N will be the first battery-electric Hyundai N offering and will take on a more aggressive persona compared to its grand touring Kia cousin.
It will feature the same dual-motor/all-wheel drive powertrain but is expected to be uprated to at least 450kW and more than 740Nm of torque (EV6 GT: 430kW/740Nm), using an equivalent 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery.
It will easily be the quickest, fastest and most expensive N model to date, with 0-100km/h devoured in around 3.5 seconds and top speed up to circa 260km/h.
That said, company executives insist N cars are more about fun and engagement than sheer performance, hence the virtual gear shift, synthetic engine noise and drift mode – most of which we were able to sample at last year’s N Festival behind the wheel of the Hyundai RN22e rolling lab.
Expect adaptive dampers, lightweight sports seats, myriad drive modes, a full track warranty and ludicrously juvenile body kit to be included out of the box when the IONIQ 5 N arrives here early in 2024, following its July reveal at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
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Keyword: WATCH: Hyundai IONIQ 5 N prototype cut loose