“Do more than simply drive, enjoy every second of it. Never just drive,” says Hyundai’s high-performance N division.
That mantra is printed on the camouflage of what appears to be a prototype of the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, a hotted-up version of its recently introduced electric crossover.
It’s unclear what’ll power the Ioniq 5 N at this stage but it could employ the high-performance powertrain that’ll be used in the forthcoming Kia EV6 GT, with which it shares its E-GMP architecture.
The high-performance Kia EV6 GT has a dual-motor powertrain that produces 430kW of power and 740Nm of torque. It’s claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.5 seconds.
Hyundai’s engineers could also eke some more performance out of this powertrain as well.
Compared to the previously spied Ioniq 5 N prototype, this prototype has a chequerboard pattern camouflage made up of black and Performance Blue, the N division’s signature colour.
It’s hard to tell but this camouflage wrap could be disguising some sportier front and rear bumpers or air intakes.
Unique to this Ioniq 5 N prototype are a set of extended wheel arch protectors over both the front and rear wheels. The previously spied prototype only had these over the rear wheels.
Our spy photographers suggest these don’t appear to be production-ready and are most likely just there to compensate for a slightly wider track.
Other changes that have already been seen on the previous prototype are the lower ride height, unique alloy wheels and wider low-profile tyres.
Documents viewed by CarExpert in 2021 indicate production of the high-performance Ioniq 5 is set to begin in March 2024, at which point it’ll become the first electrified model under the N performance division.
Hyundai has already confirmed it’s working on its first all-electric N model on the E-GMP platform.
It has said the N treatment will still work for an electric vehicle (EV), so long as it’s a “corner rascal”, an “everyday sports car”, and boasts track capability.
The core Hyundai Ioniq 5 range first arrived in Australia in September 2021, offering one highly-specified trim level and two powertrains.
It’s currently available with a single-motor rear-wheel drive powertrain producing 160kW and 350Nm or a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain with 225kW and 605Nm.
Both powertrains use a 72.6kWh lithium-ion battery.
Hyundai in Europe also announced the Ioniq 5 will be receiving thermal battery preconditioning and Smart Frequency Damping on models delivered in the second half of 2022.
CarExpert understands additional features could arrive locally as part of a model year update, which may also bring additional trim levels.
Hyundai Australia has yet to confirm when a model year update for the Ioniq 5 will be introduced.
