Buckle-up for the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - an electric hot-hatch with face-melting amounts of power.
While this performance ‘N’ model has been teased by the Korean firm since last year, up until now we had no idea about just how much oomph it might boast.
Those in the know reckoned on it having around 600 PS.
But they were wrong. We now know it’ll have much more than that - coming with 650 PS of break-neck excitement and an acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds when ‘Boost’ mode is activated.
Make no mistake, that’s QUICK - with the Ioniq 5 N being quicker off the mark than the Tesla Model Y Performance, and almost as rapid as the Porsche Taycan Turbo.
The N version of the regular Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback embodies three ‘performance pillars’, according to its makers - ‘Corner Rascal,’ ‘Racetrack Capability’ and ‘Everyday Sportscar’. So it should be as easy to live with on the school run as it is blatting around the Nurburgring.
The Ioniq 5 N gets a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up inspired by Hyundai’s rallying shenanigans.
It’s underpinned by a 84 kWh battery that can be rapidly-charged from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, according to Hyundai. Meanwhile the top speed is a very respectable 162 mph.
Enhancements and reinforcements have been made to the regular Ioniq 5’s structure to keep the ‘Corner Rascal’ controlled through the twisties.
New ‘N Pedal’ electric tech favours ‘exhilarating cornering over energy efficiency’. It means regenerative braking energy isn’t channelled back into the battery, but is instead used to create aggressive deceleration forces to make the steering razor-sharp.
There are various drive modes, including ‘Drag’, ‘Track’ N Race’, ‘Sprint’ and ‘Endurance’, all with a different emphasis placed on power.
And because it’s a fully-fledged N car, you’ll be able to get it going sideways with the ‘N Drift Optimizer’, which ‘helps to maintain the drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls responding to real-time inputs’, says Hyundai.
A spokesperson adds: “The integrated Torque Kick Drift function allows the driver to simulate the clutch kick action of rear-wheel-driven ICE vehicles for driving scenarios that require more immediate drift initiation. This is a result of sophisticated electronic control technology.”
Another incredible touch is the ‘N e-shift’, which simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of a typical combustion engine. You even get a simulated ‘jolt’ between shifts, just like you would in a petrol-driven hot hatch.
Of course, the N has more imposing styling than the bog standard Ioniq 5, sitting 20mm lower and 50mm wider at the bottom, and boasting an eye-catching rear diffuser.
The cabin is designed for going fast, coming with knee pads, shin supports and bucket seats.
Yet you also get plenty of creature comforts, including wireless phone charging and large infotainment touchscreen.
When can lease customers get their mitts on one?
Order books are due to open in October this year, and it’ll compete for your monthly leasing fee alongside the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and the Kia EV6 GT, with prices for those cars beginning at around £750 per month*.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 14/07/23.
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