Hyundai unveiled its first high performance electric vehicle (EV) under its N brand, the Ioniq 5 N, hoping to establish a new niche segment within its fast growing global EV market.

As is becoming common for sporty versions of top brands (and EVs), the automaker chose the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, for the global unveiling which the company said represented “a new way for high performance enthusiasts to electrify their passion for driving on road and track”.

The Ioniq 5 N combines Hyundai’s motorsport technology with its extensive electrified “rolling lab” research and development. An 84kWh battery pack drives a dual motor AWD system, providing “rally-inspired handling”. The car has a power output of 448kW/609 PS which increases to 478kW/650PS (at 21,000rpm!) when the N Grin Boost system is engaged. It has a top speed of 260km/h (160mph) and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds in boost mode.

The drivetrain’s thermal management and regenerative braking systems helping to increase endurance while the N e-Shift and N Active Sound are said to help replicate the feeling and sound experience of driving high performance internal combustion engine cars.

Hyundai said it had set the technology standards for the development of high performance versions of other N EV models which it expected would help improve the brand’s EV image and competitiveness.

President and CEO, Jaehoon Chang, said in a statement: “Key developments around this vehicle will further strengthen the competitiveness of all [future] Hyundai models. This is why N brand exists.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Editor’s note: the launch event didn’t go quite the way Hyundai planned as an RN22e prototype crashed in spectacular fashion into hay bales after missing a corner. No injuries were reported but the car appeared to have been badly damaged.