Right at the top in a competitive environment
One of the most pleasing side effects of the politically enforced electrification of the automotive fleet in Europe is the newfound freedom in design - and the regrouping of the brand landscape. Manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia are suddenly moving into the premium segment, while established European players are clearly struggling to meet the new requirements. The result is beautiful products such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is now also available as the new top-of-the-range N version.
The letter stands for the Korean development center Namyang on the one hand and the Nürburgring on the other. With the performance models i20 N and the i30 N, Hyundai has already made a very good name for itself among fans of purist, affordable compact sports cars with combustion engines, and now the brand wants to make its mark with electric cars too. Hyundai is therefore positioning the Ioniq 5 N more sharply than any other sporty derivative of an electric car that other brands have launched on the market to date.
With 478 kW (650 hp), no other electric car in this segment is as powerful. The power delivery of the Hyundai is almost explosive from a standing start, despite its 2.2 tons kerb weight: the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes a whole 3.4 seconds, the Vmax is 260 km/h and therefore right up there with electric cars. The Ioniq 5 N steers spontaneously, but is not free of lateral tilt. Its generously dimensioned brakes can be modulated with astonishing precision for an electric car. And the electronically controlled limited-slip differential allows well-controlled drift interludes.
Three different sound worlds can be selected - from simulated combustion engine sounds to futuristic "performance" sounds and even a fighter jet. Or there is no sound simulator. But that would be a shame, as the Ioniq 5 N offers a special gimmick that relies on the sound and can significantly ease the pain of separation from the combustion engine: you can shift through eight gears using the steering wheel paddle, and the simulation is deceptively realistic. The Koreans have even recreated the afterburning in the exhaust tract, which is a reliable source of pleasure when the accelerator is released in classic sports cars, using software. (aum)
More info for topic: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
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