Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N has been making waves since its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, redefining the possibilities of electric vehicles. What’s more, renowned racecar driver Keiichi Tsuchiya aka ‘Drift King’ (he is regarded as the inventor of drifting as we know it today) shared his excitement about it in a video, highlighting the surprising drift capabilities of the IONIQ 5 N and its agility. (find the video at the bottom)
Early test drivers have praised the IONIQ 5 N for blending daily practicality with exciting racetrack capabilities, emphasising its unique features that bring combustion engine sounds and driver engagement to the EV experience.
The IONIQ 5 N features a dual-motor AWD along with a reinforced steering column, body structure, and N Pedal software to enhance precision, responsiveness, and turn-in behaviour. The N Drift Optimizer and Torque Kick Drift function have us excited as drift enthusiasts. The 21-inch forged aluminium wheels contribute to reduced unsprung mass, while the electronically controlled suspension ensures a comfortable yet dynamic ride according to Hyundai. Hyundai has also thrown in 275/35R21 Pirelli P-Zero tires! On an EV? Yes, it seems bonkers as it sounds with Keiichi Tsuchiya behind the wheel.
Under the hood, the IONIQ 5 N gets electric motors capable of 21,000 RPM, producing 650 PS of power. The N Grin Boost feature adds an extra kick for 10 seconds, to boost acceleration. N Launch Control and Track SOC (state-of-charge) provide real-time battery consumption monitoring. N-tuned Brakes and N Brake Regen deliver enhanced braking performance.
Hyundai mentions the IONIQ 5 N is engineered to be an everyday Sports Car with features like N e-shift for power delivery simulation and N Active Sound +, which offers customizable sound themes for an engaging driving experience. N Road Sense optimises settings based on road conditions. The IONIQ 5 N also gets V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality as well.
The exterior of the IONIQ 5 N reflects its commitment to performance with proportional adjustments, a distinctive N-Mask graphic fascia, and aero-enhancing elements. The interior integrates the N family’s design elements with a focus on sustainable materials.
We will be driving the IONIQ 5 N soon, stay tuned for our first drive review!
