Hyundai teased their upcoming Ioniq 5 N, a performance variant of the company’s electric family hauler, and some new technology the company hopes will make electric vehicles more fun to drive.
In a video posted today on Hyundai’s Youtube channel, the company not only teased an upcoming performance variant of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but the brand demonstrated its dedication to “making electric vehicles fun to drive.” Along with this mission, Hyundai showed off their testing platforms, the RN22e and Concept 74, and some upcoming technology that will aim to make their electric vehicles more engaging than ever before.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has been rumored to be in the works a couple of times over the past few months, but the video from Hyundai is the first official mention of the upcoming vehicle. Very little is known about the performance EV, but in all likelihood, it could perform similarly to the Kia EV6 GT that came out earlier this year. That vehicle produces 576 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque via a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. That powertrain will rocket the vehicle from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 162mph.
Hyundai also showed off a few technologies they hope to introduce to their electric vehicles to improve responsiveness and enjoyment. The first is Hyundai’s new “e-TVTC.” In essence, this is just a torque vectoring technology that manages which wheel receives power and how much – but it has been specifically designed for use in electric vehicles where it can more quickly act to direct power to the wheels that need it.
The second major technology is more controversial. Like many other brands, Hyundai has been working to improve the auditory experience of their electric vehicles, designing sounds for the cars to make to increase driving pleasure. However, the company is also looking to introduce a more physical system. In the demonstration of the audio system, the vehicle not only makes a sound as it accelerates but lurches forward and back at specific increments, mimicking the movement of shifting in an ICE-powered manual vehicle.
While many enthusiasts will likely (and already have) criticize Hyundai on some of their technology choices, at the very least, the company’s newest video shows a dedication to automotive enthusiasm. Perhaps it can indicate that the fun of driving doesn’t have to die with electric vehicles.
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The dawn of performance EV tuning is upon us. After teasing an upcoming N series of EVs, Hyundai has unveiled two “rolling brand” concepts offering upgraded nods to both the automaker’s past, present, and future. These concepts should help wet our beaks until Hyundai officially launches the IONIQ 5 N next year.
Two summers ago, Hyundai launched IONIQ as its own electric brand consisting of three initial models. This began with the IONIQ 5 crossover EV, which is currently available and remains in high demand in all its respective markets.
During the initial IONIQ brand launch, Hyundai shared details of two additional EVs to follow, the IONIQ 6 sedan and IONIQ 7 SUV. Earlier this week, Hyundai delivered the global debut of the IONIQ 6 with much hype.
At the end of one of its launch videos, all three IONIQ models are shown racing down a track side by side. Suddenly, from the other direction, another vehicle zooms by, followed by text stating that IONIQ N branded EVs are coming. Have a gander:
It’s true. Hyundai has confirmed plans to add the electrified IONIQ brand to its N and N Line of performance variants. This performance road car sub-brand was launched in 2017 with Hyundai i30 N. In a press briefing regarding the IONIQ 6 debut, Hyundai executives told us that N EVs were coming and we’d learn more this week.
Here we are, on the cusp of another beautiful summer weekend, and thanks to Hyundai, we have two new performance EV concepts we can tape up on our garage walls as we await the launch of the automaker’s first official performance EV model – the IONIQ 5 N.
Before then though, let us gawk over the two EVs Hyundai is calling “rolling lab” N models – the RN22e and the Vision 74.
Hyundai’s RN22e N EV concept based on the IONIQ 6
Hyundai unveiled the two concepts in a press release this morning as demonstrations of the automaker’s electric vision for its N performance sub-brand. Hyundai’s “rolling labs” are where the automaker tests and verifies its technologies with the goal of applying them to future models.
In this case, both of these Hyundai N EVs will remain concepts but feature much of the tech we will see in future N branded models, beginning with the IONIQ 5.
Moving on to the RN22e – this performance EV is based around the recently debuted IONIQ 6 electric streamliner and represents the first N model on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. The name is derived from the “rolling lab” of the “N brand” developing an “EV” in “2022.” Per the release:
RN22e is tested to maximize N’s three performance pillars, starting with ‘corner rascal.’ N has been developing cornering capability since the brand launch and has been providing e-LSD, Corner Carving Differential, for most N models. RN22e elevates the corner carving feel with inevitably heavier weight, by exploring torque vectoring by twin clutch. Moreover, the 3D printed parts reduce weight and keep the rigidity for better corner attack. Equipped with AWD, RN22e provides optimized torque distribution according to different drive modes that allows drivers to choose the torque power on the front and rear wheels.
Other features:
Track-optimized settings to let customers enjoy the circuit without derating
Four-piston mono-block calipers and a 400 mm hybrid disc allow the EV to withstand the weight of its power electric (PE) system
Hyundai N will use the RN22e to study how to deliver dynamic movement with regenerative braking that precisely controls yaw and corner attack
N Sound+ generates noise from interior and exterior speakers for a dynamic driving feel
N e-shift integrates the vibration and shifting feel with N Sound+
Low ground clearance and emphasized shoulders provide an EV design with a wide and sturdy stance
L / W / H / Wheelbase 4,195 mm / 2,023 mm / 1,479 mm / 2,950 mm
Max Power 430 kW (front and rear combined)
Max Torque 740 Nm (front and rear combined)
Battery Capacity 77.4 kWh / 400V-800V capability
Charging Speed 10-80% charge in 18 minutes
Max Speed Over 250 km/h (~155 mph)