- There is no current electric production SUV/crossover record at the hillclimb.
- The Ioniq 5 N’s dual electric motors combine to produce up to 641 hp.
- Hyundai has made some minor safety changes to the car.
Hyundai is bringing four Ioniq 5 Ns to June’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and will attempt to set a new electric production SUV/crossover record with its compelling new EV.
Hot on the heels of the Ioniq 5 N being crowned 2024 World Performance Car, the automaker has planned an all-out assault on Pikes Peak. Two production-spec examples driven by Paul Dallenbach and Ron Zaras will go record chasing while two modified Ioniq 5 Ns will be piloted by Dani Sordo and Robin Shute, the former a WRC driver for Hyundai Motorsport. All four vehicles will compete in the Exhibition class.
Read: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Is A Ballistic Missile That Redefines EVs
There is no current electric production SUV/crossover record at the world’s most famous hillclimb so Hyundai will be looking to set a benchmark time, rather than break an existing record.
Some minor changes have been made to the production-spec Ioniq 5 Ns that will compete. Both feature Recaro Pro Racer SPA Hans driver’s seats, Sabelt six-point racing harnesses, and have had the rear seats removed. Additionally, a roll cage and fire suppression system have been installed. Mechanically, these two models remain identical to those that have started to arrive in the hands of customers.
“We are returning to the mountain stronger than we have left it, with a class leading electric SUV in the form of IONIQ 5 N,” head of Hyundai’s N Brand and Motorsport, Till Wartenberg said. “Hyundai has a history of proving new technologies and products at Pikes Peak going all the way back to 1992 and the IONIQ 5 N brings that concept to high performance electric cars. The production spec IONIQ 5 N will demonstrate what customers can expect from their vehicles.”
Making the Ioniq 5 N such a potent performer is an 84 kWh battery pack feeding power to a 223 hp motor at the front axle and a 378 hp motor at the rear axle. The EV delivers 601 hp as standard but that is increased to 641 hp with the N Grin Boost function enabled.
