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Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the sporty electric with gearbox and gears drives like a petrol car

Unique, but not so much for power and performance, but because the first electric of the N category brand can give the same excitement as one with a piston engine.

6 June 2024

5' min read

The electric car you didn't expect has arrived. Bringing zero emissions together with a unique character in the line-up of full-electric cars is Hyundai's high-performance N atellier with an original and sophisticated interpretation of the Ioniq 5. In fact, the 5 N is a turning point for full-electric cars because Hyundai's development and research centres in Namyang, Korea, and the Nürburgring, which give the letter N to this Ioniq 5, have defined an electric capable of surprising petrol addcitons as much in terms of performance and use as in terms of soundtrack. In short, the Ioniq 5 N on sale for 77,000 euro in a practically full-optional trim is an electric car unlike any other, one that not only aims to impress with its high power and acceleration that glues you to your seat in a straight line, but is also capable of entertaining you in the bends. And even those who don't really want to know about zero-emission traction can, if they take a chance, be convinced.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, changing the concept of performance electric

N's first battery-powered car is the most powerful Hyundai in history. It is powered by a twin-engine powertrain that generates all-wheel drive with 609bhp and 740Nm of torque, rising to 649bhp and 770Nm with the boost function, which propels this Ioniq 5 to 260mph and 100mph in 3.4 seconds. And so far there would be little surprise. The real surprise comes from the fact that it can also be driven like a petrol car thanks to the system that simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with both automatic and manual modes to be used with the paddles on the steering wheel, which change from braking energy recovery step adjusters to gear selectors.

In this case, even retaining the engaged gear when reaching the rev limiter and bringing out the twin-turbo sound when downshifting, thanks to the soundtrack borrowed from the i30 N's sportier car configuration. The result is the fruit of complex work in which, in particular, the torque loads and delivery of a powerful heat engine were copied to transform the operation of the electric motor. The N also differs from the Ioniq 5 in the geometry and dimensions of the set-up components, the structural stiffening of the body, the self-locking rear differential, the Brembo braking system and the 21" Pirelli PZero tyres developed specifically for this model.

Also specific to the Ioniq 5 N is the complex electronic network of the N configuration with which one can change, for example, the distribution of traction on the two axles through eleven levels, adapt the one pedal mode to sporty driving and obtain more energy recovery from the rear engine to favour cornering, and many, many other functions all aimed at optimising the performance/behaviour ratio. All to be managed in a somewhat complex manner by fiddling with steering wheel selectors and central display screens. The Ioniq 5 N has an 84 kWh lithium-ion battery that promises a range of 448 kilometres with a thermal management designed to limit performance drops in heavy use, recharging on alternating current at 11 kW and on direct current at 240 kW from 10 to 80 per cent in eighteen minutes, thanks to 800 V technology.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, le foto della prova su strada e in pista<br/> — Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, le foto della prova su strada e in pista
Photogallery11 foto

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, sporty outfit and racing-style interior

Based on the E-Gmp architecture of the normal Ioniq 5, the N is 4.72 metres long and therefore more than the other due to the specific design of the bumper shields that integrate spoiler and splitter as well as air intakes and vents, 1.94 metres wide due to the effect of the widened mudguards to accommodate the large and wide 21" wheels, 1.59 metres high and has a wheelbase of 3 metres. The appearance is also characterised by a larger spoiler above the rear window than on the regular Ioniq 5, a large rear extractor and the triangular third brake light typical of the N range.In the cabin, there are very snug front seats, padding that prevents hard collisions between the knees of those sitting in the front and the central tunnel, as well as 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment displays with graphics and functions for sports and track driving according to the complex settings to be made by scrolling through the infotainment menus.

Added to which are those on the steering wheel, with which one can set the boost function for 10", the driving modes, the sub-settings of the N systems previously set in the infotainment and engage the system that simulates the dual-clutch gearbox. Finally, it must be said that the care taken in the N department does not affect the good availability of passenger space or the good capacity of the cargo area, which ranges from 480 to 1,540 litres.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, wild on the track, well manageable on the road

The Ioniq 5's out-of-the-ordinary personality for an electric car becomes apparent when you get to grips with the settings of the many specific technologies gathered in the N configuration, first and foremost the e-Shift and Active Sound combination that offers three soundtracks: Ignition inspired by that of a four-cylinder engine, Evolution by that of the Rn22e concept and Supersonic that recalls the roar of a fighter plane. Activation places a nice tachometer with a scale up to 8,000 revs and a gear engaged indicator in the instrument display, just to create the atmosphere congenial to a car with an Ice engine. Our test begins between the kerbs of the winding Varano de' Melegari circuit where, frankly, we are immediately amazed. In fact, the Ioniq 5 N proves to be a true racing car, capable not only of offering brutal acceleration and almost impeccable handling thanks to the skilful setting obviously carried out by expert hands but, even more so, of arousing enthralling sensations with the gearbox and sound, despite the fact that they are artificial.

The hypnotic experience does not make you think that instead of an Ice engine there is an electric motor and is supported by the thundering needle of the rev counter, the full throaty roar that accompanies the swift accelerations, the warbles and crackles that appear during downshifts and is completed by the machine-gun fired by the rev limiter near 8,000 when you do not switch to the higher gear in good time. And in the end, even on the road, one is inclined to use the dual clutch, in normal use even in automatic mode, which also makes the gear shifts feel more like the typical, linear and aseptic 'single-speed' gearbox of electric cars. The Ioniq 5 N is this because, in the end, when used normally on the road it is an electric, powerful as long as you like and comfortable in less extreme configurations, but traditional.