While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is busy racking up accolades, engineers are working on a high-performance N variant. Recently spied wearing checkered camouflage with “Never Just Drive” mottos, the Ioniq 5 N closely echoes the standard model as it features a familiar design with flush-mounted door handles and Parametic Pixel LED lighting units. However, the model’s performance aspirations can be seen in the lightweight wheels that are wrapped in low-profile tires. They’re backed up by a beefier braking system as the front discs are significantly larger than the 325 mm found on the mainstream variant.
The prototype also sports a reduced ride
height and this suggests the car will be equipped with a sport-tuned
suspension. There’s no word on specifics, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the
Ioniq 5 N features electronic limited slip differential software similar to the
Kia EV6 GT.
Speaking of the EV6 GT, it’s headline
grabbing powertrain could be shared with the Ioniq 5 N. While that remains to
be seen, the Kia features a 77.4 kWh battery pack as well as a dual motor
all-wheel drive system that develops an impressive 577 hp and 740 Nm of torque. It should enable the model to rocket from 0-96 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds.
Regardless of the final numbers, there’s
little doubt the Ioniq 5 N will be far more powerful than the standard model
which offers up to 320 hp and 604 Nm of torque.
