Has Hyundai made the Ioniq 5 N a true performance EV?

Battery preconditioning. Variable torque distribution. A peak of 641 horsepower. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N sounds like an EV built for performance–that’s because it is. It can also sound like a twin-engine jet fighter. Literally. No joke. Don’t click back on your browser yet–let us explain.

Let’s start with the more traditional performance elements of the Ioniq 5 N. A significant contributing factor to an EV’s performance is the battery’s temperature. The Ioniq 5 N offers N Battery Pre-conditioning. It comes in two modes: Drag, for short bursts of full power, and Track for sustained lapping.

Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 N “boasts a higher resistance to heat-induced power degradation” when compared to its competitors. The thermal management system “uses increased cooling area and volume, enhanced motor oil cooling and a battery chiller. The performance of the battery thermal management system is also enhanced with the minimized heat transfer route from the battery cells to the cooling channel and the new gap filler with high thermal conductivity. The independent radiators for the battery and motor maximize Ioniq 5 N resistance to performance degradation both before and during intense track driving.”

The N Race feature optimizes performance for two scenarios with Endurance and Sprint modes. Endurance favors range at the expense of limiting peak power by providing a “slower build-up of temperature.” As you may surmise, Sprint favors power over range.

EVs offer incredible torque and the Ioniq 5 N probably won’t be any exception (no stated torque number, though). N Torque Distribution allows you to vary the distribution of that attribute, from front to rear, by 11 levels. The Ioniq 5 N also comes with an e-LSD (electronic limited-slip differential). And, yes, N Drift Optimizer allows you to get the car to drift. Per Hyundai, “The integrated Torque Kick Drift function allows the driver to simulate the clutch-kick action of rear-wheel-driven internal combustion vehicles for scenarios where the driver desires more immediate drift initiation.”

Like most EVs, it comes with brake regen. The regenerative braking system “serves as the primary source of braking force, while the mechanical brakes are used to supplement additional braking force when required.” Yet, Hyundai claims the system offers “the seamless blending between the N Brake Regen and hydraulic brakes creates a smooth transition, imperceptible to the driver. Moreover, performance-oriented left-foot braking allows the brake and accelerator pedal to be applied simultaneously on the track.”

N Pedal offers benefits, too. According to Hyundai, “This intelligent software function, applied to Ioniq 5 N, is designed to provide instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity. Drawing on similar technology used in i-Pedal’s regenerative braking system, N Pedal prioritizes fast and exhilarating cornering over absolute energy efficiency. By utilizing decelerating force, aggressive weight transfer is positioned on the front axle, resulting in sharper, more confident corner turn-in.”

No, there’s no third pedal, but you can shift with the Ioniq 5 N. “N e-shift simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of internal combustion engine (ICE) N cars. It simulates a gearshift by controlling motor torque output and simulates the power-shift feeling between shifts, including synchronized audible cues. As a result, it provides a more precise, interactive driving experience that feels closer to an ICE experience than other EVs.”

It also produces a simulated ICE sound, too, with N Active Sound+. Why? “The objective of N Active Sound+ is to provide drivers with an acoustic reference point to gauge the power utilized and available, especially when quickly gauging cornering speeds lapping a circuit. The driver gains an additional reference point to rapidly changing speeds in an intuitive manner, adding the sensory input of hearing to sight and tactile feel.”

N Active Sound+ comes in three themes: Ignition (a 4-cylinder ICE engine), Evolution (the sound of the RN22e), and Supersonic (inspired by twin-engine fighter jets).

Back to the more core performance bits, Hyundai rates the Ioniq 5 N at 641 horsepower with N Grin Boost engaged. The N Grin Boost function “maximizes acceleration with extra power for a 10-second interval.”

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will be available in limited quantities at select dealers starting in March 2024.

Comments

Displaying 1-10 of 10 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums

You'll need to log in to post.