Hyundai Motor debuts high-performance EV IONIQ 5 in UK

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, right, is taking a commemorative photo with Ionic 5 N, which was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Britain’s largest auto festival, on July 13 (local). [Photo provided by Hyundai Motor]

Hyundai Motor Co. on Thursday premiered the IONIQ 5 N, the first electric vehicle (EV) under the top automaker’s high-performance brand N, in the UK, with hopes to expand its presence in the burgeoning EV market.

The global debut of the IONIQ 5 N took place at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, in the attendance of Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung. It was the first time for Chung to join a new car release event since taking office in 2020.

Last month, Hyundai Motor announced its new electric vehicle strategy dubbed Hyundai Motor Way at the CEO Investor Day and raised its global EV sales target for 2030 by 130,000 units.

The IONIQ 5 N was chosen as the model to represent the execution of Hyundai Motor Way during that event.

Due to its symbolic significance, Chairman Chung personally attended the new car unveiling. The last time he attended a new car presentation was in 2018 when Hyundai Motor introduced the Chinese version of its compact sports utility vehicle, the Kona, during his time as Vice Chairman.

Since taking the position of Chairman, he had not made public appearances at new car launch events, including the launch of the seventh-generation Grandeur and IONIQ 5 and 6 EVs, which were released at the end of last year.

The IONIQ 5 N, an all-wheel-drive EV, boasts a combined maximum output of 478kW (650 horsepower) from the front and rear motors, with a peak torque of 770 Nm.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. These impressive specifications were achieved by applying advanced EV-specific technologies, including an 84kWh high-output battery and an EV-specialized thermal management control system.

The power output surpasses that of Porsche’s electric sedan, the Taycan, which has a maximum output of 408 horsepower for its base model.

The IONIQ 5 N also incorporates technologies used in motorsports vehicles to ensure exceptional handling performance.

It is equipped with features such as “N Pedal” and “N Drift Optimizer” to enhance cornering quality. It also includes “N Battery Pre-conditioning,” which optimally manages battery temperature based on driving purposes.

The IONIQ 5 N features a 400V/800V multi-rapid charging system, allowing compatibility with both 800V ultra-fast charging infrastructure and standard 400V chargers. With the use of an 800V ultra-fast charger, it can achieve 10 percent to 80 percent charging in just 18 minutes.

The IONIQ 5 N participated in the iconic “Hillclimb” course at the Goodwood event. Hyundai Motor also set up a dedicated exhibition area, showcasing not only the IONIQ 5 N but also the N Vision 74, a hydrogen hybrid rolling lab car under the N brand.

With the global debut of the IONIQ 5 N taking place at Goodwood, all major high-performance vehicle models under the Hyundai Motor Group brands have now had their world premieres in the UK.

Last year, Kia Corp.’s high-performance EV6 GT, and the year before, Genesis’ high-performance sports sedan, the G70 Shooting Brake, were introduced at Goodwood.