Hyundai’s passenger vehicles solely lately made a return to Thailand, however the firm has gone from power to power with a number of fashions already on sale. One of many stand outs is the electrical Ioniq 5, launched within the Land of Smiles simply final November, and it was joined on the Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present (BIMS) by its efficiency variant, the Ioniq 5 N.
This scorching hatch/SUV made its ASEAN debut on the present, and whereas it hasn’t gone on sale but, we will assume a launch can be occurring within the not-too-distant future. Which might be simply as effectively, as a result of the N boffins have actually labored a quantity on this automobile.
It’s nonetheless powered by twin motors, however outputs have close to as dammit been doubled over the cooking Ioniq 5 Max range-topper to a formidable 609 PS and 740 Nm of torque. So geared up, this 2.2-tonne beast will get from zero to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds on its strategy to a prime velocity of 260 km/h.
However that is an N automobile, in any case, so the Ioniq 5 N comes with a number of hilariously-named options – chief of which being the N Grin Increase that reinforces energy and torque to 650 PS and 770 Nm. This shaves a tenth off the century dash (3.4 seconds) through the N Launch Management.
Then there’s the 11-step N Torque Distribution that shunts energy variably between the entrance and rear axles, the N Race perform with Dash (full energy and cooling for decent laps) and Endurance (most vary for longer drives) modes, a similarly-configured N Battery Preconditioning with Drag and Observe modes and two customized N buttons on the steering wheel.
However the coolest options are those that assist carry petrol-powered efficiency automobile drama to EVs. These embrace the N e-Shift that simulates the gearshifts of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, paired with the N Lively Sound+ that may mimic the sound of the i30 N‘s 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine or perhaps a fighter jet. The noise is piped by means of the eight-speaker Bose sound system and twin exterior audio system.
Oversteer lovers, then again, will love the N Drift Optimiser, which helps you preserve a drift for so long as potential and incorporates a Torque Kick Drift perform that simulates a clutch kick. In the meantime, the N Pedal will increase regenerative braking to shift weight onto the entrance tyres, enabling a sharper turn-in, whereas the powertrain has been configured to help left-foot braking, permitting each the brake and throttle pedals to be pressed on the similar time.
To ensure the Ioniq 5 N isn’t all mouth and no trousers, Hyundai has stiffened the construction with 42 further welding factors and a pair of.1 metres of further structural adhesive. You additionally get a stiffer and faster steering rack, stronger regenerative braking (pulling as much as 0.6 G, claimed to be the very best on any EV), an digital limited-slip rear differential and bigger dampers to widen the efficiency gamut of the electronically-controlled suspension.
The Ioniq 5 N can also be the primary automobile constructed on the Electrical International Modular Platform (E-GMP) to obtain a fourth-generation 84 kWh battery (fitted to the facelifted Ioniq 5), delivering a claimed vary of 448 km on the WLTP cycle. Cast 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in 275/35R21 Pirelli P Zero tyres conceal bigger disc brakes that measure 400 mm within the entrance (clamped by four-piston callipers) and 360 mm on the rear.
Sitting squat on its 4 fats tyres, the Ioniq 5 N appears far meaner than its common sibling, using 50 mm wider and 20 mm decrease. Fender flares assist conceal the broader wheels, whereas the entrance bumper has been made extra aggressive with giant air intakes, a distinguished splitter and loads of black and purple trim. A sizeable rear diffuser with distinctive chequered-flag reflectors full the look.
The substantial adjustments proceed on the within – the Ioniq 5’s loft-like cabin has been gutted and made extra purposeful. You’ll discover a three-spoke N steering wheel with devoted mode buttons, in addition to metallic pedals, N-branded facet sill plates and bucket seats with illuminated N logos, similar to BMW’s M vehicles.
However the revisions go additional than that – even the sliding centre console has been swapped for a hard and fast unit with knee pads to help your knees below onerous cornering. You continue to get a sliding armrest in addition to USB-C ports and a Qi wi-fi charger.
Now that the Ioniq 5 N has made its look in Southeast Asia, may we see it being launched right here quickly? Whereas the cooking non-N mannequin was fast to go on sale right here owing to tax incentives, the final N mannequin, the i30 N, was a very restricted affair over right here. That may probably be additionally the case with this automobile, as even tax free it’s going to most likely value almost RM400,000.
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