New Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: hot hatch to make Goodwood debut

Hyundai has confirmed that its first all-electric hot hatch, the Ioniq 5 N, will make its global debut at this summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The new model, which is expected to have a twin-motor set-up producing almost 600bhp, and feature torque vectoring and a drift mode, will be one of the most significant reveals at the event. The choice of the UK as launch base is also significant, since the region is known as a key hot hatch market and Hyundai is planning to market the first all-electric N as a fully fledged stablemate to the successful i30 N and i20 N.

Hyundai UK President Ashley Andrew said the car could provide the brand with a significant selling point over the increasing number of rivals in the EV market. “I’m really excited about what it can do,” he said. “N cars make the point that we’re a car company, not just a company that makes cars. I love that our talented people are coming together to have fun, but using that know-how to create a car, an EV, with the sort of character that we’ll recognise from performance cars of the past.”

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spy pictures

The Ioniq 5 N will take inspiration from the RN22e and N Vision 74 concept cars, as well as from sister brand Kia and its EV6 GT - which utilises the same architecture as the Hyundai. 

The Ioniq 5 is already one of our favourite all-electric cars on the market and Hyundai’s high-performance N division has proved it can build exciting driver’s cars with the i20 N and i30 N, so this new Ioniq 5 N model promises much. It also sets Hyundai’s stall out for more all-electric N models in future, such as an Ioniq 6 N. 

We’ve caught the new Ioniq 5 N testing plenty of times and these latest clips confirm some stylistic details. The front end of the Ioniq 5 N will retain its retro-futuristic styling elements, such as the angular bodywork and dual headlight layout. The lower front bumper will gain a large central air vent to help cool the N’s battery pack and two side air intakes to cool the front brakes. 

The Ioniq 5 N will use the same E-GMP platform and 77.4kWh battery as the RN22e concept, not to mention the dual-motor set-up for four-wheel drive, which is also available on the standard Ioniq 5. 

The Kia EV6 GT is also built on the same platform and features the same 77.4kWh battery with two electric motors. In the Kia this results in 577bhp and 740Nm of torque as well as a 3.5-second 0-62mph time and 162mph top speed. You'd expect the Ioniq 5 N to get similar performance numbers to its Korean sibling. 

Given the extra straight-line punch, Hyundai will fit beefier brakes, an extended rear spoiler and a rear diffuser to reduce lift at speed. Vent openings ahead of and behind the front wheels will clean up airflow along the flanks, too. These exterior tweaks are shown in our exclusive render, giving us a clearer idea of how the supercar-baiting crossover will look.

​Inside, the Ioniq 5’s interior is likely to get an N makeover with sportier, but still sustainable, materials used in the cabin, deep sports seats, a thicker steering wheel and revisions to the graphics on the digital instrument cluster. We would also expect some electronic trickery, with different chassis, power and control settings available to drivers.

Hyundai RN22e concept 

Hyundai already has a hot SUV, in the shape of the Kona N, as well as its existing N-badged hot hatchbacks but the firm says the Ioniq 5 N will take primary inspiration from the all-electric RN22e concept.

The RN22e includes a variety of technology that could filter through to the Ioniq 5 N. Hyundai has confirmed the Ioniq 5 N will use an ‘N Drift Optimiser’, which is a driving mode dedicated to drifting - similar to the mode available in the EV6 GT. There’s an electronic LSD, plus torque vectoring technology which Hyundai says “will help drivers of all skill levels to enjoy drifting”. 

Weight is an important consideration in electric performance cars and while 3D-printed parts are likely to help shave it off, a set of four-piston monoblock brake calipers and 400mm brake discs should help keep it under control.  

The N Sound+ feature on the concept might also make its way to the Ioniq 5 N, it pumps artificial noise into the cabin in a similar way to the e-ASD tech introduced in the new Ioniq 6. Meanwhile, N e-shift, aims to replicate the vibration and feel of a ‘real’ gear change.

Hyundai referred to the RN22e as a “glimpse to the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N” and Thomas Schemera, Hyundai’s Executive Vice President told us that the “RN22e plays a big role in the development of our product line up, especially our electrified high-performance vehicles”.

Now read our review of the Hyundai Ioniq 6...