The Ioniq 5 N is the most exhilarating electric car yet, writes James Stinson.
The pace of electric car development is frightening. Range, refinement and cost are improving with every new model. But you couldn’t say electric cars are fun or exhilarating to drive. They are deathly quiet and when you put your foot down, deliver a numbing – albeit speedy – driving experience. It’s far removed from the grin inducing one that petrolpowered performance cars deliver. That’s why this new Ioniq 5 N is so special.
What Hyundai engineers have done is make an electric car that recreates the feel and emotion of driving a high-performance petrol car. So, the Ioniq 5 N will drive just like a regular Ioniq 5, sloping along unobtrusively like other batterypowered cars. But, at the touch of a button it becomes a beast, mimicking the noise and driving dynamics of a petrol-powered car. On paper, it all sounds a little farfetched so when Daly’s Hyundai gave us the opportunity to drive the Ioniq 5 N at Kirkistown, just down the road from Newtownards, we couldn’t say no.
The Ioniq 5 N produces more than 600 bhp, powering all four wheels through two electric motors. 0-62mph is achievable in 3.4 seconds, while a top speed of 161 mph is attainable on tracks. On their own, these numbers are impressive but not unknown for high performance electric cars. What’s different about the Ioniq 5 N is the addition of features like N e-shift, which simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission of a petrol-engined car. Instead of the dead calm, linear feel of an electric car – under acceleration, the Ioniq 5 N recreates the physical sensation of a traditional gear change. It happens automatically, just as it does in one of Hyundai’s petrol-powered N-badged hot hatches.
There’s even a couple of flappy paddles on the steering wheel if you want to get more involved and change ‘gear’ yourself. The sensation is magnified by N Active Sound+, which mimics the sounds of a petrol engine and feeds them through eight different speakers into the cabin (and two more externally). There’s no engine and no gearbox – it’s complete fakery but incredibly convincing. And that’s not even the most remarkable thing about the Ioniq 5 N. It’s a big car, weighing more than 2.2 tonnes but it’s very quick and nimble. Kirkistown is a short, fast circuit with some tricky corners. But the Ioniq 5 N impressed with its grip and poise through corners especially.
No matter how fast we pushed, it never felt like it was going to get out of shape. It was planted, safe, noisy and exhilarating. Range is a claimed 278 miles. That’ll fall with vigorous driving but it should still be good for more than 240 miles during everyday use. Styling-wise, there’s a few helpful changes to set the N aside from the standard Ioniq 5 supersized hatchback. It sits a little lower and features slightly flared wheelarches, a front splitter and rear diffuser, a subtle rear wing as well as some bespoke badging.
Priced from £65,000, it significantly undercuts performance-focussed electric and petrol-powered rivals from the likes of BMW and Porsche. And while it does the fast stuff very well, it can, with the flick of a button, revert to be a regular electric runaround and one with acres of space, comfort and practicality. Little wonder the Ioniq 5 N has picked up a slew of awards in recent months. It’s a genuinely great car!