Hyundai Unveils Sporty EV Concepts, Announces IONIQ 5 N in 2023

As part of its “N Day” in South Korea, Hyundai confirmed the launch of a high-performance variant of the IONIQ 5 electric crossover in 2023. Unfortunately, no details or official pictures are available at this point.

The event also included the reveal of two stunning electric sports car concepts—or “rolling labs” as the company calls them—that hint at the design direction and new technologies Hyundai’s N division is working on for future products.

RN22e is an IONIQ 6 for Racing

The RN22e concept is based on the all-new IONIQ 6 sedan (or “Electrified Streamliner”) that made its global debut earlier this week. A number of 3D printed parts reduce weight and keep the rigidity for better corner attack, while the AWD system is said to provide optimized torque distribution according to the different drive modes.

Photo: Hyundai

To improve endurance on the track, engineers focused on cooling and braking. Among other things, four-piston monoblock calipers and a 400-mm hybrid disc allows the RN22e to withstand the weight of its electric drive unit. In addition, Hyundai N will use this car to study how to deliver dynamic movement with regen-braking that precisely controls yaw and corner attack.

Meanwhile, there’s a technology called N Sound+ which generates sound from the interior and exterior speakers for a more dynamic driving feel, the company points out. Working toward the same goal is N e-shift, which integrates the vibration and shifting feel of a conventional transmission.

Photo: Hyundai

As you can clearly see, designers have largely kept the highly aerodynamic profile of the IONIQ 6, but added a sportier lower bumper up front and a race car-like wing in the rear. Output is 430 kW (577 hp) along with 546 lb-ft. of torque—exactly like the Kia EV6 GT and probably the future IONIQ 5 N, too. The 77.4kWh battery charges from 10-80 percent in less than 18 minutes when plugged into a 350kW DC fast charger.

Past Meets Future With N Vision 74

In a completely different package inspired by both the 1974 Pony Concept and the 2025 Vision Gran Turismo prototype unveiled in 2015, Hyundai created another “rolling lab” called N Vision 1974. Essentially, the brand’s design heritage meets the electrification era with high performance to shape this model. Parametric Pixel lighting provides a futuristic flourish.

Photo: Hyundai

It’s the same thing inside, apparently (there are no pictures to prove it), with a blend of heritage elements and modern design such as a digital cluster and analogue buttons.

The most surprising aspect of the N Vision 74 is the powertrain. Engineers have developed a hybrid system combining a 62.4kWh electric battery with a fuel cell system (the most advanced ever used by Hyundai). Cooling efficiency is improved, while the two different power sources can be used depending on different driving conditions. According to Hyundai, this setup enables better torque vectoring by twin motors on the rear, allowing a precise and responsive cornering experience.

Photo: Hyundai

It all adds up to more than 500 kW (670 hp) of power and over 665 lb-ft. of torque. Maximum range of more than 600 km is possible and filling the tank takes just five minutes—once you’re able to find a hydrogen refueling station.

“These rolling lab projects are great assets to prepare the N’s electrification vision turning into reality, the IONIQ 5 N next year,’’ said Till Wartenberg, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company.

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

New ModelsSlick Hyundai IONIQ 6 to Have Way More Range Than IONIQ 5
Hyundai has now officially introduced the all-new IONIQ 6 , a boldly styled and extremely aerodynamic electric sedan that will go on sale in South Korea and Europe later this year. North American-bound models will be built and launched starting in the first quarter of 2023. Features and specifications for …
New ModelsAll-New Hyundai IONIQ 6 Debuts With Stunning Looks
Fresh off of winning the 2022 World Car of the Year award with the IONIQ 5 crossover, Hyundai is continuing its EV offensive with the debut of the new IONIQ 6. The first official pictures of the sleek four-door coupe—definitely a far cry from conventional sedans—were revealed on Tuesday by …
Test Drives2022 Hyundai Elantra N: Look at Me!
Hyundai is firing on all cylinders right now, from electric vehicles like the IONIQ 5 (2022 World Car of the Year) to family-friendly SUVs including the refreshed-for-2023 Palisade . The Korean automaker even launched a compact pickup, the Santa Cruz , for crying out loud. As if those weren’t enough, …
ElectricGuess Where Hyundai Plans to Launch a $25K Small Electric Car
Despite some pretty generous incentives from governments, the high cost of electric vehicles remains a major hurdle for most consumers around the world. It’s good to see that a few automakers are working hard to develop more affordable models. You can now count Hyundai among them. The Korean manufacturer has …
Test Drives2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate : Futuristically Ambitious
Hyundai made a serious leap forward in the electric vehicle segment with the launch of THE Ioniq 5 last year. Based on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture that is slowly spreading across the Hyundai/Kia/Genesis electric ambitions like the Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6, the Ioniq 5 stood out …
First Drives2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6: A Tough Matchup for the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is the undisputed king of electric car sales while the Polestar 2 plays second fiddle. Now, here comes the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 6 , a potentially game-breaking sedan from South Korea that shares its E-GMP architecture and 800V charging system with the IONIQ 5 (not to …
Los AngelesHyundai Unveils N Vision 74 Concept in Los Angeles
Manufacturers are scrambling to offer efficient electric vehicles without compromising what their brands stand for. But it’s not an easy task. Hyundai has been putting a lot of effort into building a strong N performance brand in the last years, the Korean manufacturer needs to transport this division identity in …