Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Digital techniques for real emotions

Hyundai? Most people certainly think about practical, relatively affordable and towable vehicles. Only connoisseurs know that Koreans can also build car burners – that is when one of their models has an additional “N” label. In the era of electricity that is just beginning, Hyundai and its sports department, named after the 14th letter of the alphabet, want to finally make fun of real car enthusiasts and aspiring drivers.

That is why the first electric product from the N department, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, has interesting technical specifications that are unique in the pack of electric cars and aim to inject the model with more than a touch of the pleasure of the combustion engine. We found out firsthand that this works. Here we present in detail.

1. Drift Support

N engineers have integrated several drift aids into the electronic control of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. For example, the “torque kick drift function”: If the driver wants to initiate direct movement, the system simulates a clutch kick, as it would be used in a combustion engine of the rear drive, to cause the rear end to break. “N Drift Optimizer” is also on board. It allows the steering angles to be maintained for a long time by reacting to the car’s many controls in real time and, among other things, to better coordinate the energy information, reduce the chassis and the effect of the brakes for this purpose.

But even without the “clutch kick”, the Korean, which weighs 2.2 tons, can be driven sideways in drift mode. The Ioniq 5 N basically uses a powerful electric motor on the rear axle for overdrive. To ensure that the wheel speed does not explode unnecessarily, only as much power is used as is needed for sliding. Only when the angle becomes too great and the load threatens to fly does the unit on the front axle provide support and stabilize the spectacle.

2. E-LSD, Torque Vectoring, N-Pedal und Co.

Several components of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N hardware and software serve as the technical basis for the one-sided skid support, the electric sports car has a completely different torque distribution (torque vector) in the front and rear, which can be well adjusted. in eleven steps. There is also an electronic slip differential (e-LSD) on the rear axle, which is intended to improve traction and cornering stability. While the technology is nothing new, the N-Pedal feature seems like a refreshing approach. This software function uses the vehicle’s deceleration force to automatically transfer weight to provide strong steering behavior at the entrance to the curve. This is intended to hide the previously unknown but certainly impressive weight – the Ioniq 5 in the standard configuration already weighs two tons.

3. Restoration of the “leading factory”.

The N pedal is also a function of another technology that characterizes the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. It uses a regenerative recovery system, which almost every electric car has. However, N engineers have developed a special recovery system that achieves a maximum deceleration of 0.6 G – according to Hyundai, this is an “industry-leading value”. Once the ABS starts, the recovery should remain alive, although only up to 0.2 G. The Koreans promise an invisible transition between recovery and a hydraulic stop. In addition, the system is designed to support left-foot braking, meaning that the brake and accelerator pedals can be operated at the same time, which can increase lap times on the racetrack in certain situations.

4. N E-Shift, an imitation gearbox

The driving dynamics feature that was discussed the most before the official presentation of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was the simulated gearshift. Like most electric cars, it has a single-speed gearbox. However, by adjusting the engine torque, the “N E-Shift” function simulates a disturbance in the attractive force, as occurs during the switching process of a combustion engine. This “displacement shock” does not increase speed or lap time; Maybe it even makes the Ioniq 5 N a touch slower. But this is a very interesting feature that even simulates rev limit and engine braking, which is said to be less noticeable in “higher gears” and more noticeable in “lower gears”.

5. N Active Voice+

This function is just for fun with the driver sound which is changed for the respective driving situation. Of course, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has one called “N Active Sound+” and works with a total of eight speakers (eight internal and two external). Drivers can choose one of three sound worlds: “Ignition” imitates the sound of the two-liter turbo gasoline engines previously used in Hyundai’s N models. The “Evolution” is meant to deliver a high-performance sound inspired by the RN22e concept car. Another method is “Supersonic”. This means that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N should sound like a twin-engine fighter jet and modulate its sound differently when it is positioned sideways.

6. Careful, fun road ahead

But that’s not all shenanigans. There is also the “N Road Sense” function, which changes the sense of traffic sign recognition, which was actually intended as a safety feature. If the cameras detect a “double curve” road sign, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N automatically suggests switching to N driving mode – and thus a forced driving style instead of a cautious one. It is surprising that the EU security envoys have accepted this task. Apparently not the US ones: “N Road Sense” is not available there.

7. N-Race driving mode

Would you like to complete a sprint or a marathon with your Hyundai Ioniq 5 N? Both are possible, and the car can be properly conditioned using the N-Race driving mode with just a few button presses. If the driver selects the “Endurance” option, the Korean sets performance limits, which keeps the temperature within limits and increases energy efficiency. If, on the other hand, it’s only a few laps at high speed, the Ioniq 5 N uses all the power it has – which therefore drains the 84 kilowatt-hour battery faster.

So that the Hyundai can turn to the pit lane at the time to stop charging, the “Track SoC” (State-of-Charge) function automatically calculates the battery consumption for each cycle. Of course, there is also launch control, with which the all-wheel drive electric car shoots from standstill to 100 km / h and more in 3.4 seconds, like being launched by a catapult. If you do not take your foot off the accelerator, you can continue to accelerate up to 260 km / h.

8. Ways to drive in all conditions

But that is not enough. Depending on whether the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N should accelerate for a short time at full power or complete several laps on the racetrack, you can choose the “Drag” or “Track” mode, which prepares the battery accordingly. The launch control also offers three different levels of traction and also has an “N Grin Boost” function on board, which increases the acceleration capability by ten seconds. Only when this supercharger is activated and up to 478 instead of 448 kW (650 instead of 609 hp) does the Ioniq 5 N fly from zero to one hundred in 3.4 seconds. There are also the standard Normal, Eco and Sport settings as well as two tuning variants in which all the mentioned modes can be combined to your heart’s content.

9. Improved equipment

Like every other Hyundai Ioniq 5, the N version is based on the E-GMP platform. However, it was important for the manufacturers to increase the torsional rigidity, which is why the structure and the body have 42 additional welding points and 2.10 meters of additional connected parts. The mounts of the two motors and the energy storage as well as the operating range have also been strengthened. The power steering also works with higher gear ratios and is said to have improved torque feedback. Like Hyundai’s WRC car, the Ioniq 5 N has the so-called integrated drive axles (IDA) which can withstand the highest torque (a maximum of 770 Newton meters). The forged wheels are fairly large at 21 inches, but should be light enough to reduce unsprung mass. It also wears specially developed and very attractive Pirelli P-Zero tires with a size of 275/35 R21. In addition, a large braking system is used, which can also be very fast.