The electric performance arms race has a new contender in the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N – and it arrives swinging, writes James Stinson
Not long ago, the idea of a Hyundai turning heads at a track day would have been laughed off the paddock. But times are changing, and the Korean brand’s ‘N’ division is moving with them. After the success of the boxy Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai has applied the same steroid-enhanced formula to its slippery Ioniq 6 saloon, and the results are, quite frankly, startling.
Let’s start with the numbers, because Hyundai clearly wants attention. In the UK, the Ioniq 6 N kicks off at £65,800. While that might cause a sharp intake of breath for those who remember the budget Hyundais of old, it’s a bit of pricing psychology that sees it undercutting the Porsche Taycan by a massive margin while offering performance that would make a BMW M3 driver look nervously at their rearview mirror.
And what do you get for that? Quite a lot. The Ioniq 6 N utilizes a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system paired with an 84kWh battery. In its standard state, it produces a healthy 601hp, but hit the “N Grin Boost” button on the steering wheel and you unlock a muscular 641hp and 568lb ft of torque for ten-second bursts.
Even with a hefty kerb weight of 2,201kg, the Ioniq 6 N is no slouch. Helped along by a new launch control function, it is capable of completing the 0-62mph dash in just 3.2 seconds, before heading onto a top speed of 160mph. This makes it one of the quickest electric saloons in its class, benefiting from a lower drag coefficient of 0.25 compared to its SUV siblings.
However, the Ioniq 6 N isn’t just about straight-line muscle. Hyundai talks up this model as an “Everyday Sportscar,” and it features reworked drive modes, electronic “stroke-sensing” dampers, and a rear-biased torque-vectoring system. For those who want to get “slidey” on a circuit, there is even an N Drift Optimiser that helps manage the car’s 770Nm of torque for controlled angles.
Charging is just as competitive. Thanks to its 800V architecture, the 6 N can gulp down electrons at up to 263kW DC, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in around 18 minutes. For home charging, an 11kW AC charger is standard, though a typical 7kW wallbox will take just under 12 hours for a full charge. Official range stands at a respectable 302 miles, though enthusiastic use of the “Grin Boost” will likely see that figure tumble.
Inside, the cabin is a blend of tech-forward and tactile. You get a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays, Alcantara-trimmed bucket seats, and a bespoke steering wheel. There’s also the “N e-Shift” system, which uses the paddles to simulate the gearshifts of a dual-clutch gearbox, complete with “pops and bangs” delivered through the external and internal speakers to give the driver more feedback.
Overall, the Ioniq 6 N feels like Hyundai testing the limits of what an EV can be. It’s a statement of intent that proves electric cars don’t have to be clinical or dull. While the price and weight are reminders of the current limitations of the genre, the sheer engineering prowess on display is hard to ignore. Orders are being taken now, and if Hyundai’s goal was to make performance enthusiasts think twice before defaulting to a German rival, they may just have pulled it off.