The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb witnessed a dominant display of electric vehicle prowess by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Hyundai put its Ioniq 5 N through its paces with three cars, each achieving record-breaking times in their respective categories.
The standard Ioniq 5 N and the specially tuned Time Attack (TA) Spec variant surpassed expectations, conquering the unforgiving 12.42-mile course.
This grueling climb gains over 4,700 feet in elevation to reach the summit of Pikes Peak, with 156 turns and unpredictable weather conditions testing the limits of both car and driver.
The challenge was further amplified by the thin air at high altitudes, which can significantly impact battery performance in electric vehicles.
Hyundai returned to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2024, showing its commitment to performance and innovation.
This year, they set their sights on pushing the limits of electric performance with a specially modified version of their Ioniq 5 N, the Ioniq 5 N TA.
This electric SUV received a significant performance makeover, featuring a software-enhanced motor for additional power and a range of upgrades designed to conquer the demanding Pikes Peak course.
However, the Ioniq 5 N TA remained firmly rooted in its production counterpart, highlighting Hyundai’s ability to translate performance from concept to consumer car.
The challenge wasn’t limited to the modified vehicle. A rookie driver, Ron Zaras, took the wheel of a production Ioniq 5 N to tackle the legendary climb.