Whereas we await the upcoming launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Malaysia, over in Thailand, the new electrical SUV has made its long-awaited debut – having been proven on the Bangkok Motor Present as early as April. And in the event you thought the RM390,000 estimated pricing that native sellers have been floating was costly, you haven’t seen something but.
That’s as a result of within the Land of Smiles, the Ioniq 5 N prices 3,790,000 baht, which is the equal of a whopping RM479,500! Then once more, efficiency automobiles have at all times been costly in Thailand – witness the most recent FL5 Honda Civic Kind R, which retails at 3,990,000 baht (RM504,800), in comparison with the Malaysian value of RM399,900.
Past that, the specs are as per what was proven in Bangkok, with the Ioniq 5 N’s twin motors producing a powerful 609 PS and 740 Nm of torque. So outfitted, this 2.2-tonne beast will get from zero to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds on its technique to a high velocity of 260 km/h.
Being that that is an N automobile, the Ioniq 5 N comes with a number of hilariously-named options – chief of which being the N Grin Enhance that enhances energy and torque to 650 PS and 770 Nm. This shaves a tenth off the century dash (3.4 seconds) by way of the N Launch Management.
Then there’s the 11-step N Torque Distribution that shunts energy variably between the entrance and rear axles, the N Race perform with Dash (full energy and cooling for warm laps) and Endurance (most vary for longer drives) modes, a similarly-configured N Battery Preconditioning with Drag and Observe modes and two customized N buttons on the steering wheel.
However the coolest options are those that assist convey petrol-powered efficiency automobile drama to EVs. These embrace the N e-Shift that simulates the gearshifts of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, paired with the N Lively Sound+ that may mimic the sound of the i30 N‘s 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine or perhaps a fighter jet. The noise is piped by the eight-speaker Bose sound system and twin exterior audio system.
Oversteer lovers, then again, will love the N Drift Optimiser, which helps you keep a drift for so long as potential and incorporates a Torque Kick Drift perform that simulates a clutch kick. In the meantime, the N Pedal will increase regenerative braking to shift weight onto the entrance tyres, enabling a sharper turn-in, whereas the powertrain has been configured to help left-foot braking, permitting each the brake and throttle pedals to be pressed on the identical time.
To verify the Ioniq 5 N isn’t all mouth and no trousers, Hyundai has stiffened the construction with 42 additional welding factors and a couple of.1 metres of extra structural adhesive. You additionally get a stiffer and faster steering rack, stronger regenerative braking (pulling as much as 0.6 G, claimed to be the best on any EV), an digital limited-slip rear differential and bigger dampers to widen the efficiency gamut of the electronically-controlled suspension.
The Ioniq 5 N can be the primary automobile constructed on the Electrical World Modular Platform (E-GMP) to obtain a fourth-generation 84 kWh battery (fitted to the facelifted Ioniq 5), delivering a claimed vary of 448 km on the WLTP cycle. Solid 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in 275/35R21 Pirelli P Zero tyres conceal bigger disc brakes that measure 400 mm within the entrance (clamped by four-piston callipers) and 360 mm on the rear.
Sitting squat on its 4 fats tyres, the Ioniq 5 N appears to be like far meaner than its common sibling, driving 50 mm wider and 20 mm decrease. Fender flares assist conceal the broader wheels, whereas the entrance bumper has been made extra aggressive with giant air intakes, a outstanding splitter and loads of black and pink trim. A sizeable rear diffuser with distinctive chequered-flag reflectors full the look.
The substantial modifications proceed on the within – the Ioniq 5’s loft-like cabin has been gutted and made extra purposeful. You’ll discover a three-spoke N steering wheel with devoted mode buttons, in addition to steel pedals, N-branded aspect sill plates and bucket seats with illuminated N logos, identical to BMW’s M automobiles.
However the revisions go additional than that – even the sliding centre console has been swapped for a set unit with knee pads to help your knees below onerous cornering. You continue to get a sliding armrest in addition to USB-C ports and a Qi wi-fi charger.
The Ioniq 5 N has simply been given an replace in its house market of South Korea, giving it a ten-stage N Drift Optimiser, an enhanced N e-Shift with downhill help and downshift reminiscence capabilities and a few added equipment. Sadly, none of those have been added to the Thai spec, however given its doubtless indent order standing we wouldn’t be stunned if the updates make their technique to the automobile sooner slightly than later.
GALLERY: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N previewed in Malaysia
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