The most powerful Hyundai ever produced is electric. This is the sporty version of the Ioniq 5 SUV, which inherits the “N” badge inaugurated on a production car by the compact i30 in 2018, then deployed on other models.
For the first time, this treatment, both aesthetic and mechanical, is given to an electric car. While the standard versions of the SUV peak at 239 kW, or 325 hp, the Ioniq 5 N reaches 448 kW (609 hp) and even 478 kW (650 hp) in N Grin Boost mode, thanks to its two electric motors. The torque reaches 740 Nm or even 770 in N Grin Boost mode. It is also possible to simulate gear changes with paddles behind the steering wheel, by modulating the torque of the engines, which has no impact on performance.
0 to 100 km/h, in fact, is achieved in just 3.4 seconds. This is considerably better than a Tesla Model Y Performance, for example, which on paper takes 3.7 s to complete this exercise, but omits the first 30 cm of launch in its calculation.
A high price, but not completely crazy
This level of performance necessarily comes at a price. Count on €78,000 to afford a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N on the French market. Fortunately, at this price, just about all equipment comes standard. However, this makes it one of the most expensive Hyundais ever produced. We have to go back to 2010 with the very confidential marketing in France of the luxurious Equus sedan to find such an elitist model from Hyundai. This prestigious vehicle was available from us on order only; Hyundai has since delegated luxury to its premium brand, Genesis, which is currently not distributed in France.
The Tesla Model Y Performance is priced at €59,990, a fairly significant difference. The Kia EV6 GT, which shares its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but is nevertheless a little less powerful with 430 kW (585 hp), is offered from €74,690. Finally, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT costs at least €81,990, while it “only” displays 358 kW (487 hp).
Although the price of the Ioniq 5 N may seem very high, it is not completely uncorrelated with the market. Thermal models are also much more expensive, and very heavily taxed. Between CO2 penalty, weight penalty and vehicle registration, their total purchase cost can easily reach double what Hyundai demands for its Ioniq 5 N.
And for those who are not fond of sporty SUVs, Hyundai is planning an N version of its Ioniq 6 electric sedan that is even more powerful, according to information from Australian media Drive. It could arrive in 2025.