Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Battery stays surprisingly cool at 155 mph on iconic German race track

As battery-powered cars are slowly but surely making their way into motorsports, the South Korean automaker Hyundai is working on the performance model of the popular Hyundai Ioniq 5, which will be the first electric vehicle to carry the prestigious "N" moniker. The ambitious plans for the sporty electric SUV have now been put to the test on one of the most challenging race tracks on the planet.

Ahead of its scheduled debut in mid-July, the automaker extensively tested the camouflaged Hyundai Ioniq 5 N on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and gathered 10,000 kilometers (roughly 6,200 miles) worth of data according to the accompanying press release, which also explains the new drive modes and numerous changes from the regular trims in more detail. The electric crossover probably hasn’t recorded incredibly quick lap times such as the more expensive premium EVs from Porsche or Tesla, but the corresponding trailer highlights a certain technical detail of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N that has turned some heads.

Shortly after the 1-minute mark, the cinematic YouTube video shows a top speed of 250 kph (155 mph), which many sports cars can reach on the long straight named “Döttinger Höhe”. Immediately after that, the trailer cuts to the battery temperature reading of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which supposedly only reached 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit). This temperature is just slightly above the optimal window and suggests that the car's battery cooling works very well even under sustained loads, which should avoid any serious thermal throttling issues even during long drives at highway speeds or above. Whether or not this detail is more of a marketing stunt will certainly be investigated as some prospective owners will take their new EV to the track or German autobahn.

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