Ioniq 5 N takes on the Nürburgring

HYUNDAI is putting its first high-performance all-electric model – the Ioniq 5 N – to the test at Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife ahead of its world premiere next month.

The South Korean firm has combined learnings sought at the ‘Green Hell’ with those from its own proving ground at Namyang since 2003, and says the pairing allows its N team engineers to better evaluate and develop the durability and driving dynamics of its vehicles more effectively and more often.

“The Nürburgring is where every N model is honed to the Nth degree, so our first high-performance, all-electric N model must also prove itself here,” said Hyundai Motor Company vice president and head of N brand and motorsport, Till Wartenberg.

“The Ioniq 5 N just completed its 10,000km durability test on the Nordschleife, which is an important milestone that proves the vehicle’s high endurance and racetrack capability. And yet, we just began our second 10,000km test to push Ioniq 5 N’s limits.”

Mr Wartenberg said the process was able to extract maximum performance from the Ioniq 5 N, the EV model’s heat management hardware and software testing in extremis, resulting in an enlarged N-specific cooling package combining an oil cooler and battery chiller, and new heat management systems such as N battery preconditioning and N race.

N battery preconditioning pre-sets the temperature of the battery cells to their most power efficient temperature. The battery preconditioning function is split into two modes: ‘Drag’ mode and ‘Track’ mode to accompany different performance driving scenarios. In ‘Drag’ mode, the optimum temperature is set for immediate use of maximum power, while in ‘Track’ mode, the lowest possible battery temperature is optimised for increased number of laps.

N Race gives drivers more direct control on the car’s energy usage, prioritising ‘Sprint’ or ‘Endurance’ driving. ‘Sprint’ is the default state of Ioniq 5 N prioritising full power on demand for the driver. ‘Endurance’ is a setting that maximises the vehicle’s range on the racetrack. This is achieved by limiting sudden power spikes that slows temperature build-up and increases endurance.

The technologies join heightened regenerative braking technology – capable of offering an industry-leading 0.6G decelerative force – that accompanies the hydraulic braking system with larger 400mm front rotors.

Further, Hyundai says it has worked to ensure the feel at the ‘wheel of the Ioniq 5 N mimics that of an ICE-powered vehicle, offering N active sound + and N e-shift systems to simulate the character and power delivery of a petrol-powered model.

N active sound + consists of a 10-speaker system (eight internal, two external) that provides three different sound themes available for drivers: Ignition, Evolution and Supersonic. Ignition simulates the 2.0 turbo engine of ICE N cars complete with pop and bang sound effects while Evolution is a N signature electronic sound inspired by the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Concept and RN22e. Supersonic simulates a fighter jet to give the drivers the sensation of a fighter pilot. All sound options are customisable for drivers to uniquely tailor to their preference.

N e-Shift works closely with N active sound + to simulate the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of ICE N cars. N e-Shift simulates a gearshift by controlling motor torque output and simulates the jolt feeling between shifts. The goal is to allow drivers to seamlessly utilise driving techniques honed with ICE cars for a more immersive driving experience that feels closer to ICEs than EVs.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will make its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 13 and will take to the famous hill climb alongside the brand’s hydrogen-powered N Vision 74.

More information on the Ioniq 5 N will be announced closer to the model’s debut.