Hyundai reveals Ioniq 5 N with 650 hp boost, software cornering magic, and fresh, aggressive styling ^↺

Although, it may not be the smallest car around, Hyundai's flashy new Ioniq 5 N is about as close to a high-performance electric hot hatch we've seen actually make it to fruition, although the Renault 5 EV is due within the next year or so. Debuting at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Hyundai has made several key alterations to its humble electric crossover to get it into shape as a performance hot hatch. Curiously, Hyundai has also elected to include a simulated eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the Ioniq 5 N to make the driving experience feel more engaging than a regular EV might.

The inclusion of the simulated eight-speed transmission might give you an idea what Hyundai is going for with the Ioniq 5 N — not all-out performance, but a lot of performance with a mighty fun drive.

For starters, Hyundai has upgraded the dual-motor electric drivetrain to output 226 hp to the front axle and 282 hp to the rear axle, for a total of 609 hp, with a possible boost output of 650 hp via the N Grin Boost button. All of this eAWD power results in a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time of just 3.4 seconds, while the top speed is upped to a respectable 260 kph (~162 mph).

Hyundai didn't just upgrade the motors and battery pack on the Ioniq 5 and add an "N" to the label. Instead, the Korean marque has made a number of changes to the chassis, steering, braking, and software aspects to tie it all together. For example, Hyundai has reinforced the chassis as well as motor, steering column, and battery mounts of the vehicle to make the whole package stiffer and more responsive. The steering system was also upgraded to a Rack-Mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system with a "higher steering ratio and enhanced torque feedback," to facilitate a more fun driving and track racing experience.

Along with the upgraded hardware, Hyundai has packed in a whole lot of software trickery, including Hyundai's N Pedal, that uses the motors in the vehicle to shift torque and weight throughout the car and enable quick, responsive turn-in and sharp handling. On the less serious side, the Ioniq 5 N also makes use of its electric motors and software smarts to enable the N Drift Optimizer feature, which helps drivers kick the vehicle sideways when the need arises. Given that it's an electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5 N also features an e-LSD (electronic limited-slip differential) on the rear axle, and adjustable fully variable torque distribution for potent power delivery. 

Hyundai claims the Ioniq 5 N can recharge its 86 kWh battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, thanks to 350 kW DC fast charging. Hyundai has yet to confirm any pricing or regional availability for the Ioniq 5 N, but it's sure to cost a pretty penny, with some sites estimating it to cost as much as US$63,000.

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