Heading 1: Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N: A New Benchmark for Fun and Exciting EVs

Hyundai’s N division has taken the electric era by storm with its first electric performance car, the Ioniq 5 N. While the automaker has kept many details under wraps, having driven it extensively on road and track, it’s clear that the Ioniq 5 N is a new benchmark for fun and exciting EVs.

Heading 2: The Basics of the Ioniq 5 N

The Ioniq 5 N is a biggish, tallish crossover that has been reinforced in places, gained new suspension subframes, and been given unique kinematics. It features more camber, quicker steering, a reinforced steering rack, four-wheel drive from a motor at each end, and the ability to divert power as it or its driver pleases. The car also boasts 235/35 R21 Pirelli P Zeros, 400mm front brake discs, and improved battery cooling.

Heading 3: Driving Modes and Features

The Ioniq 5 N offers a bewildering number of driving-mode combinations, including torque-vectoring and adjusting front-to-rear power distribution. It also features synthetic noises, including an ICE one, and a fake tacho and gearshift via the steering-mounted paddles. The car even has a drift mode, which was made unavailable to the author during their test drive.

Heading 4: The Ioniq 5 N on the Track

The Ioniq 5 N has genuine performance-car depths and feels fast even on a modern circuit like the GP Nürburgring. The braking is strong and consistent, even at really high braking levels, accounting for up to 0.6g of total retardation. The car turns in exceptionally well and retains some of the ‘tuck’ that the best European hot hatches and now Hyundai’s N hatches also display.

Heading 5: Cornering Attitude and Highway Driving

The Ioniq 5 N has communicative, light-medium-weight steering, a little roll, lots of grip, and plenty to lean on confidently in high-speed corners. It has moments of hot hatch, rally replica, and super-saloon at various moments in the same corner. On the highway, the Ioniq 5 N feels its size more and inevitably leaves you further from its limits. However, it’s still engaging with its fake engine sound and fake gearshift that cleverly map the ‘tacho’ to 8000rpm.

Heading 6: Conclusion

The Ioniq 5 N is a new benchmark for fun and exciting EVs. It’s a convincing car on the circuit and engaging on the highway. The car’s synthetic noises and driving modes offer loads to play with, making it a thrilling car to drive. While many details are still unknown, the Ioniq 5 N is a promising addition to Hyundai’s lineup and the EV market as a whole.