Hyundai’s unleashed the Ioniq 5 N – a sporty electric crossover that might just rewrite the rules of racing. Sure, most EVs are quick in a straight line but throw them on a racetrack and their weight bogs them down
Plus keeping the battery cool can limit the fun.
The Ioniq 5 N tackles these issues head-on. It’s got more power, a wider stance for better handling, and grippy tires to stick to the curves. It even keeps all the cool tech Hyundai is known for, like automatic emergency braking, highway driving assistance, and smartphone integration.
But here’s the tip: Hyundai designed this car for driving enthusiasts, the folks who crave that emotional connection behind the wheel. They want to feel the car, not a bunch of buttons. They want a thrill, a rush of excitement, maybe even a sprinkle of fear. And let me tell you, this electric rocket delivers.
Let’s talk about the star of the show: N Grin Boost
Imagine a “go-fast” button like in a video game! Push the red NGB button on the steering wheel, and for 10 glorious seconds, you unleash the full fury of the Ioniq 5 N – a whopping 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque (as long as you have at least 30% battery charge).
Laguna Seca Raceway, with its challenging turns and straights, seemed like the perfect place to test this grin-inducing feature.
Coming out of a tight corner, I wasn’t going too fast – maybe 35-40 mph. I floored the accelerator, waited a beat, and then slammed the NGB button.
Did it put a grin on my face?
Absolutely.
But here’s the funny part: it also freaked me out a bit. I was using one of Hyundai’s fancy engine sound effects, but the moment NGB kicked in, everything went silent. It felt like I’d warped into another dimension where time and physics didn’t apply. ‘
However, reality came crashing back as I hurtled towards a blind corner that always gets my heart racing. A quick glance at the speedo confirmed my fears – I was barreling towards oblivion at 105 mph!
The fake gearshifts in the Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 N uses a simulated system called N e-Shift. Even though the car has one motor that revs to 21,000 rpm, N e-Shift creates the illusion of eight speeds, keeping the perceived revs at a maximum of 7,750 rpm.
This might sound strange, but it actually makes driving feel more engaging.
Imagine cruising in Auto mode, which is fine for daily errands, but on a racetrack like Laguna Seca, you want to feel like you’re in control.
Here’s the clever bit: when you upshift in manual mode using the paddle shifter, the car blips the torque for a split second, creating a tiny jolt that mimics a real gear change. It’s a simple trick, but it makes a big difference in how connected you feel to the car.
