It is well known that the high-performance N brand models under modern car brands are labeled with multiple tags such as track, performance, and driving control, and are comparable to BMW’s M and Audi’s RS in terms of overall performance. Popular mass-produced models such as i30N, i30FastbackN, VelosterN, i20N, KONAN, and ElantraN have achieved good sales performance in markets such as Korea and Europe. Following the ElantraN, Hyundai’s N brand has released a high-performance pure electric SUV model in China, the first mass-produced high-performance pure electric SUV under the N brand – IONIQ 5 N China version. The car also officially announced the pre-sale price on the 17th of this month. For users who are torn between playing with high-performance models powered by gasoline or pure electric, this article may provide some answers.
IONIQ 5 N is a high-performance midsize electric SUV with a dual-motor drive system. The electric motors deliver 605 horsepower and 740 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.4 seconds in N Grin Boost mode. This crazy performance attracts many young users who love driving control.
From the appearance, the new car inherits and promotes the innovative and bold design concept of Korean cars, with a slightly retro look combined with modern elements, making it a blend of retro and modern.
The overall vehicle’s center of gravity looks very low, in line with its sporty positioning. Although it is a pure electric model, the front end is not designed in a simple and rough way to be fully enclosed, but rather aerodynamically designed for its identity, equipped with new deflectors, air curtains, and air curtains to improve aerodynamic efficiency and cooling performance.
When the U-shaped daytime running lights are lit, the visual effect is excellent and the recognition is high. Combined with the shape of the front grille, it looks like a tough character. Some people jokingly refer to the front face design of this car as “angry birds”, and it does look a bit like it.
The new car’s side profile still exudes a strong sporty vibe, with a very sharp waistline that doesn’t feel out of place. Compared to the standard version of IONIQ 5, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N has lowered its overall height by 20mm and increased its bottom width by 50mm to accommodate wider tires. With a new diffuser design, the body length has also increased by 80mm. The Chinese version of IONIQ 5 N has a length of 4715mm, width of 1940mm, height of 1585mm, and a wheelbase of 3000mm.
Due to the increase in tire width, the IONIQ 5 N China version also naturally increases the width of the body, giving a wider visual stability effect. The rear of the car features a hollow-shaped spoiler, and the high-mounted brake light is also exclusive to the N brand in a triangular shape.
The lower bumper is painted in glossy black, with square flag reflector patterns on both sides, enhancing the track attributes. The lower diffuser provides excellent dynamic stability. The rear taillights illuminate four rectangular shapes, designed in a minimalist style.
The IONIQ 5 N China version comes with 21-inch lightweight aluminum alloy forged wheels and high-grip 275/35 R21 Pirelli P-Zero tires for improved handling and stability on the track. While driving, you can activate ESC Sport mode to stabilize the vehicle by sensing traction loss and braking individual wheels.
In terms of interior, the Chinese version of IONIQ 5 N is also trying to create a sporty atmosphere. The cabin is wrapped in a large area of suede, with leather used in other areas. The pure black design, along with the racing flag texture on the door panels, looks compact and sporty. Sitting inside will make you eager to hit the track.
The new car features a 12.3-inch dual-screen display, with delicate visual effects. The air conditioning system combines touch and physical buttons for easy operation. The suede-wrapped steering wheel is the right size, with a layout that looks sporty. Buttons for driving mode adjustment and N mode activation are designed in a racing style. Behind the steering wheel, there is a lever for manual shifting.
The car’s multimedia system features various applications such as phone screen mirroring, Tencent WeChat, iQiyi, and Tencent Mini Programs. The system also supports intelligent recognition. In fact, in recent years, Korean cars have been continuously improving in terms of multimedia applications, especially in models sold in China, which pay more attention to Chinese consumers’ usage habits.
The center console features a semi-open design for convenience, with wireless charging panel, storage compartments, and power outlets. The vehicle also includes rear window sunshades and heated steering wheel.
In terms of seats, the front seats of the new car are specially designed with a bucket-type integrated sports seat for stability during high-speed driving. The seats support heating and ventilation functions.
All seats in the car are made of suede and leather, the backrest angle of the rear seats can be adjusted in multiple directions, the thickness and length of the seat cushion of the rear seats are good, sitting on it will not cause leg stretching or lack of thigh support. The backrest of the rear seats can also be completely folded forward, at this time the trunk and the interior basically maintain a flat state, loading some large luggage is no problem.
The IONIQ 5 N China version is a model full of driving fun and enjoys the transfer of racing technology. We can experience a lot of “black technology” and the driving fun comparable to traditional fuel vehicles on this car. The car is equipped with a dual-motor power system, with a maximum output power of 609 PS and a maximum torque of 740 Nm. When the N Grin Boost function is activated, the vehicle’s horsepower can be instantly increased from 609 PS to 650 PS and maintained for 10 seconds, with the motor speed reaching 21,000 rpm.
The new car is equipped with advanced battery thermal management technology, achieving battery temperature pre-adjustment function. It is divided into “Drag Mode” and “Track Mode”. The system adapts to various driving scenarios by presetting the battery temperature. In “Drag Mode”, IONIQ 5 N China version can set the optimal battery temperature for immediate use of maximum power. In “Track Mode”, IONIQ 5 N China version optimizes lower battery temperature to help complete more laps on the track. IONIQ 5 N China version improves energy efficiency with a two-stage inverter, equipped with an 84 kWh new battery, meeting both track performance and daily needs. To meet daily range requirements, IONIQ 5 N China version is equipped with an 800V platform, fourth-generation battery cell technology, charging from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
The battery is one of the most important components of an electric vehicle. It needs to withstand continuous high current discharges, maintain constant acceleration power without overheating in extreme conditions. The new car is equipped with advanced battery thermal management technology, achieving battery temperature pre-adjustment function. It has “Drag mode” and “Track mode” to adapt to different driving scenarios. In “Drag mode”, IONIQ 5 N China version can set the optimal battery temperature for immediate use of maximum power. In “Track mode”, IONIQ 5 N China version optimizes lower battery temperature to complete more laps on the track.
In addition, the new car also offers N Race, divided into “Sprint mode” and “Endurance mode”. “Sprint mode” is the default mode of IONIQ 5 N China version, prioritizing the driver’s full power needs. “Endurance mode” can maximize the endurance mileage of IONIQ 5 N China version on the track by limiting the peak power of re-acceleration to slow down the temperature rise, significantly increasing endurance durability. IONIQ 5 N China version adopts a two-stage inverter for energy efficiency improvement, equipped with an 84 kWh new battery, which can meet both track bursts and daily needs. To meet daily endurance needs, IONIQ 5 N China version is equipped with an 800V platform, fourth-generation cell technology, and can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. IONIQ 5 N China version also has a particularly interesting feature, which highly restores the driving experience of a fuel car in terms of sound, dynamics, and control. The car provides a simulated gear shifting mechanism, allowing gear shifting operations through the lever behind the steering wheel. It can simulate the traditional manual transmission fuel car’s jerky shifting, seat vibration, the sound of cutting off fuel when the RPM enters the red zone, and even if the high gear exits the corner without downshifting, the car will accelerate weakly and slip out of gear.
The sound system offers three simulated sound waves through eight speakers in the car, including traditional N brand engine sound, advanced high-performance electric exclusive sound, and fighter jet explosion sound. I personally prefer the first one, as it is more realistic.
For a pure electric SUV weighing 2.2 tons, braking must be more cautious. The high-performance braking system of the new car is supported by large brake discs with diameters of 400mm/360mm front and rear, made of lightweight metal with a hybrid structure, paired with integrated four-piston front calipers with high-friction brake pads, and front and rear dedicated air ducts, giving the vehicle first-class braking performance and cooling efficiency. The N Brake Regen exclusive kinetic energy recovery system can assist in braking, with a maximum recovery force of up to 0.6G, reducing braking burden effectively.
In Sport mode, when the accelerator pedal is released, kinetic energy is recovered to provide enough braking force, shifting the center to the front wheels, increasing friction, and improving stability during high-speed cornering. With the intelligent front and rear torque variable system, the driving torque of the front and rear wheels is adjusted in real time, allowing the all-wheel drive vehicle to drift smoothly.
Perhaps most people would think that the traditional fuel-powered Elantra N would be more fun on the track, but this time I can only say you are wrong. Because this IONIQ 5 N Chinese version gave me a big surprise in terms of handling and flexibility, especially in the real simulation shift mode, this car will become more exciting. Because in this mode, the system will simulate a surging sound, and the jerky feeling of the sequential gearbox shifting, and even when shifting up and down, you can hear the exhaust backfire sound.
During the three-lap track experience, the vehicle’s power performance did not decrease. Using N mode, set the engine, brakes, steering, etc. to Sport+ mode. With the strong power pushing, press the accelerator pedal, accompanied by a pleasant sound, adrenaline will also quickly rise. Using intelligent torque distribution on the track, the driving force will tend to rear-wheel drive. When cornering, the vehicle’s tracking ability will become very good. The power output is very linear and always responsive.
When the vehicle enters a sharp turn at high speed, the rear end may slide slightly due to excessive power output, causing a drifting motion. By stabilizing the steering wheel and controlling the power output, the vehicle can easily be brought back on track. Activating the NBG mode boosts power output within 10 seconds, similar to a “turbo” mode. During acceleration on a straight line, the top speed reached 240 kilometers per hour.
During the 12-kilometer track experience, the braking performance remained stable and consistent. After one lap of adaptation, the optimal braking timing and intensity could be easily found, and with the steady braking performance, there was still confidence in cornering. It is reported that the new car’s brake discs use aluminum alloy material in non-critical areas, making them 30% lighter than regular brake discs.
In the Jin Kana experience project, the main experience is the N Sport pedal mode of this car, with three adjustable gears. The motor braking power after releasing the accelerator pedal is automatically adjusted according to the speed, reducing the driver’s foot movements. Speaking of the steering and suspension of this car, a steering motor with a large gear ratio is used, providing good steering feel and allowing for precise angles with minimal effort, which is important for tight corners and slalom. The sport suspension provides excellent body support during high-speed cornering and aggressive braking, enhancing the vehicle’s dynamic agility with its rigid body.
Summary: This was an exhilarating track experience at the Shanghai International Circuit, driving the first performance SUV from Hyundai’s N brand. I believe this pure electric performance SUV is more fun than fuel-powered cars, especially with the realistic shift simulation in N mode, delivering a strong acceleration and pleasing engine sound. With a pre-sale price of 398,800 yuan (54920$), it is a good choice for both daily use and track modifications.