The nice of us at Hyundai have scrambled my mind with the 2025 Ioniq 5 N, a devilish little electrical compact crossover which may simply be a motorsports game-changer.

Most electrical automobiles are a blast to drive in a straight line, with unbelievable acceleration and accessible energy. However their weight turns into a legal responsibility on the race observe, and battery cooling can put a damper on the enjoyable effectively earlier than working via a cost. 

Like many “sporty” variations of best-selling vehicles—suppose the Toyota Corolla GR or the Acura Integra Sort S—the Ioniq 5 N will get extra energy, a wider stance, and upgraded tires. The automotive nonetheless has all of the tech options we’ve come to count on in a Hyundai like automated emergency braking, a driver-assistance system that helps ease fatigue on the freeway journeys, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a big digital gauge cluster and infotainment display screen. 

Nonetheless, the corporate wished to construct an EV that will entice ICE fanatics over to the electron world. By and huge, fanatics don’t care about tech options. As an alternative, we wish emotion. We wish to really feel related to the automotive, just like the car is an extension of ourselves. We wish to really feel pleasure and pleasure and sure, only a contact of worry. 

Whoo boy does this factor rock. 

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Emme Corridor

Inexperienced Automobile Stories despatched me out to Laguna Seca Raceway with 5 particular questions—in daring beneath—to reply. I spent the day amidst skilled drivers and Hyundai engineers, dutifully fulfilling my task and questioning on the absurdity of hooning a ridiculously highly effective automotive on a compelling observe and getting paid for it. Y’all, it was a very good day.

Does N Grin Enhance put a smile in your face within the Ioniq 5 N? Did you apply it to the observe?

N Grin Enhance is the equal to a go-fast gold coin in a online game. Press the pink button labeled NGB on the steering wheel and the Ioniq 5 N provides you all 641 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque for 10 seconds. Drivers can do that so long as the battery is at a 30% or larger state of cost.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Emme Corridor

Laguna Seca Raceway is an advanced observe with loads of blind crests, tough decreasing-radius turns and a 0.2-mile entrance straight. This straight, I figured, could be a very good place to spice up, and thus grin.

I’m not fairly certain how briskly I used to be going once I hit the button. I had simply finagled my approach out of flip 11, a 90-degree left-hand flip, so it couldn’t have been greater than 35 or 40 miles per hour. I floored the accelerator, waited a number of seconds and smacked my proper thumb on that NGB button.

Did I grin? Sure. Did I additionally panic? Once more, sure. I had been utilizing one among Hyundai’s pre-programmed propulsion sounds—extra on that in a minute—and as quickly because the NGB kicked in, all went silent. It was like I used to be abruptly in a hyperspace vortex the place time and physics meant nothing.

Area, nevertheless, was in full impact as I careened in the direction of flip one, a blind crest that turns barely left that has terrified me each single time I’ve been to this observe. I risked a short glimpse of my speedometer and noticed 105 miles per hour. 

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

“That is nice,” I believed. “I’m nice, all the pieces is okay.”

I managed to remain within the throttle over the crest with none type of Code Brown second, however the hysterical laughter that got here out of me served as a reminder that I used to be certainly experiencing a tiny little bit of worry. I obtained on the brakes laborious and one way or the other managed to get via flip 2, the Andretti Hairpin, earlier than NGB deactivated itself, the faux noises got here again on and I used to be again to a barely extra manageable tempo.

Hyundai later instructed me that NGB will be set to one among three audible sounds and doesn’t should be silent. Looking back it was type of cool for the automotive to go quiet, because it was very clear one thing was taking place. I simply wasn’t essentially ready for it.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

How do the faux gearshifts work within the Ioniq 5 N? Why did Hyundai select this and did it ever think about a two-speed gearbox?

The Ioniq 5 N performs video games with the driving force with a simulated shiftable transmission, whereas it’s truly simply working its motor up the rev vary. Certain, I may hold it in Auto mode and let the 2 electrical motors spin all the best way as much as 21,000 rpm, or I may let the pc within the N e-Shift characteristic manipulate my feelings a bit, protecting the motor—my notion of the motor—at a most of seven,750 rpm and divided into eight steps, making me really feel extra at one with the automotive.

Mixed with the simulated sounds—and be affected person, I’ll get there—shifting the automotive gave me a way more visceral expertise. Auto mode is okay for toddling to the grocery retailer, however that is Laguna Seca, dammit. I wished to really feel like I used to be driving the automotive. I wished to be in management.

The best way the Hyundai engineers developed the simulated shifts is so easy it borders on genius and absolutely borrows from a driving simulator. When in guide mode, if I take advantage of the suitable paddle to upshift, the torque briefly drops then blips up, all in a nanosecond. From the driving force seat it felt at minimal like a delicate push, however once I was on the throttle it was sufficient to jolt my head again just a little, similar to an actual transmission would do when beneath load. 

Coming into corners I may downshift and get some engine braking to assist gradual the automotive down, and put a number of electrons again within the 84-kwh battery (extra capability than another Ioniq 5). For science, I attempted exiting flip 11 in fourth gear and the automotive protested with a noticeable lag, similar to it will with an precise guide transmission. 

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai may have gone the Porsche Taycan route and opted for a two-speed transmission, however once more, it’s seeking to construct a bridge for ICE fanatics to cross over to The Democratic Republic of EVs. The corporate is aware of fanatics like guide transmissions and whereas this doesn’t have a clutch pedal, it a minimum of provides the driving force a modicum of management.

Joonwoo Park, Vice President N Model Administration Group, instructed me {that a} two-speed transmission would additionally add weight and price. By eschewing an actual, bodily factor and merely including a number of strains of weightless code to its easy single-speed transmission, Hyundai provides lightness and helps hold the worth of the Ioniq 5 N to $67,475 together with $1,375 for vacation spot.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

What concerning the Ioniq 5 N propulsion sounds themselves? What was the inspiration for this “simulated” a part of its expertise?

Okay, let’s speak concerning the sound! Hyundai has integrated what it calls N Lively Sound+ into the myriad decisions drivers could make within the Ioniq N 5. In fact, you’ll be able to don’t have any sound, simply the slight metallic whirr or the electrical motors spinning up. That’s nice for on a regular basis driving however observe shenanigans name for drivers to make use of all their senses, aural included.

The most effective sounding possibility by far is named Ignition. That is based mostly on the two.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine discovered within the Elantra N, full with lift-off pops and gurgles. My first session on the observe was in silent mode with the single-speed gearbox doing its personal factor. Once I turned on the N e-Shift and the N Lively Sound+, I obtained the bodily movement of snapping off gears with the paddle shifters and the audible cues of a throaty little engine. Immediately I used to be far more invested within the expertise, and my time reveals it. Certain, I’m no Max Verstappen, however my second session glided by a lot faster than the primary, and it was far more enjoyable in addition.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup race automotive

The sound is pumped into the automotive from eight audio system, but in addition launched to the unsuspecting pedestrian via two exterior audio system. Park mentioned that these taking part within the new eN1 Cup racing sequence in South Korea with the Ioniq 5 N might at some point get to decide on their very own bespoke sound, so followers know who’s coming round that nook and on to the straight. 

I believe I’d need mine to sound like a Mötley Crue guitar riff, however I digress.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Emme Corridor

Preconditioning is as a lot about getting probably the most observe time as it’s getting the quickest cost. How does this all work within the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5?

In fact, EVs have a number of disadvantages in relation to working sizzling and heavy on the observe. Certain, an ICE car will possible want extra gasoline throughout a day of observe driving, nevertheless it’s a activity accomplished in 5 minutes or much less. With an EV, there are such a lot of different parts that come into play to verify the batteries can ship probably the most energy and recharge rapidly.

First, there’s energy supply. The battery within the Ioniq 5 N will be set for a dash race with an optimum battery temperature of 86 to 104 levels Fahrenheit or an endurance race, the place the temperature needs to be a bit cooler, between 68 and 86 levels or so. Take into account that these numbers are for optimum efficiency, not vary. Throughout my time on the observe I misplaced 10% of my cost in every of my two endurance periods and the battery temperature stayed round 70 levels. I used 16% of my battery juice in my one dash session ending with a battery temperature of 93 levels.

The Ioniq 5 N has triple the quantity of cooling surfaces because the common Ioniq 5, a cooling factor contained in the battery and its personal separate radiator as effectively. Additional, the pc can inform the driving force how lengthy it would take to succeed in optimum temperature, so she is aware of simply how lengthy earlier than the subsequent observe session is a go.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

In the case of charging, the Ioniq 5 N can fast-charge at a peak of about 235 kw because of its 800-volt structure. Nonetheless, anybody with any expertise with an EV is aware of that charge shouldn’t be assured. Not solely does the charger should be dependable sufficient to ship the ability; the battery pack must be prepared to just accept it. Like most EVs, the Ioniq 5 N can situation the batteries for charging, getting temperatures in that candy charging spot between 68 and 86 levels.

Hyundai has put in 10 high-speed chargers on the Inje Speedway in South Korea to assist its new eN1 Cup racing sequence. It additionally hopes to place chargers at tracks all over the world together with the well-known Nurburgring, the place the corporate says the Ioniq 5 N can do two laps flat-out of the almost 13-mile observe in Endurance mode. 

As for charging at Laguna Seca, Hyundai needed to rent a number of vehicles with turbines to maintain the electrons flowing. There are Tesla Superchargers however the Ioniq 5 N doesn’t have NACS functionality, neither is the station a Magic Dock station. Nuts.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

General, does the Ioniq 5 N evaluate to the EV6 GT in driving thrills—and in driving vary?

Though the Kia EV6 GT may be constructed on the identical platform because the Ioniq 5 N, the 2 are hardly comparable. Don’t get me incorrect, the EV6 can generate 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque from its two electrical motors—shut—and it shares a number of options with the Ioniq 5 N like an digital limited-slip differential and a drift mode, however not its bigger battery and intensified pack cooling. On the finish of the day the EV6 GT is a fast automotive that may carve a canyon or two. It’s not a observe automotive. 

The EV6 GT doesn’t have an e-Shift characteristic nor ship any audible cues, each of which improve the Ioniq 5 N to the, ehem, nth diploma. The Hyundai additionally has distinct settings for the motors, the steering, the digital limited-slip differential, suspension and steering really feel and the driving force can push near 100-percent of the torque to the rear wheels if he so needs.  

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Emme Corridor

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Emme Corridor

There are even two completely different sorts of brake regeneration: I-pedal along with your customary ranges of regen or N pedal, which is supposed extra for weight switch. Choose this setting and the 0.36g of regen not solely slows the automotive earlier than a flip, however actually will get the load moved to the entrance, serving to the Pirelli P Zero tires grip via the turns. Yeah, you’ll hear some squealing however belief me, the grip is there. The EV6 GT with its much less sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 sneakers simply can’t evaluate.

As for driving vary, effectively, that’s a troublesome one. I obtained to pattern the Ioniq 5 N on public roads, however not for an prolonged period of time. Hyundai says the 84-kwh battery is sweet for 221 miles of vary—much less, after all, whereas hooning on a observe. In the meantime the 77.4 kWh battery within the Kia EV6 GT can eke out 206 miles. Once more, I might count on it to be tough to hit that EPA quantity if you happen to exploit the GT’s energy at each inexperienced mild.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N abstract: Driving pleasure

By the point I left Laguna Seca I used to be worn out. I had pushed via the fearsome flip 1 at triple digits, bothered Hyundai engineers with technical questions and cherished each second of it. Whereas the 2025 Ioniq 5 N may be a rolling laptop with myriad sophisticated settings, it produced extra emotion and amusement than I believed attainable from an electrical car. 

This isn’t a automotive about saving the world with a inexperienced powertrain. It isn’t about making a commute safer with superior driver’s aids and even about pushing the boundaries of all-electric vary. No, the Ioniq 5 N is about driving pleasure. And I’m right here for it.