HYUNDAI'S N DIVISION HAS BEEN BUSY - THE RESULT IS THE RATHER TASTY IONIQ 6 N.
Meet the IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai’s latest electric weapon, unveiled at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Building on the amazing success of the IONIQ 5 N, this slippery four-door streamliner has been transformed into a full-blown track-bred EV, merging motorsport-inspired aerodynamics with bleeding-edge tech - and face-melting performance, of course. Performance? Try 478 kW of it! Let’s get straight to the headline figures: 478 kW (650 hp) and 770 Nm, good for a 0–100 km/h time of just 3.2 seconds (with N Launch Control) and a top speed of 257 km/h. That’s serious heat for something that looks this sleek. And it’s not just about straight-line thrills. Hyundai’s engineers have completely reworked the car’s suspension geometry, sharpened the torque vectoring, and dropped in fresh Michelin Cup 2 rubber for maximum grip. Combine that with the brand’s N Drift Optimiser, N Grin Boost, and N Torque Distribution, and you’ve got an EV that knows exactly how to play dirty on a track. In a world where EVs are often eerily silent, Hyundai adds back the drama. The upgraded N e-Shift system mimics the kick and rhythm of a combustion car’s gearbox - with virtual gear changes you can feel. It’s paired with reworked sound hardware that’s been acoustically fine-tuned for a more visceral experience. And then there’s also the N Ambient Shift Light - a cockpit feature that uses pulsing interior lighting to visually cue gear changes like a racing rev light, turning every drive into a multisensory throwdown. It’s like you’re sitting inside a giant shift light.
Under the skin, Hyundai’s new N Battery system takes thermal control to the next level. It’s prepped for drag runs, sprints, and endurance sessions, with smarter conditioning logic, better cooling, and faster warm-up times thanks to an upgraded coolant heater. Translation: more time going fast, less time waiting around.
“With IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai N aims to elevate its offerings, enticing drivers with electric powertrains that offer high-performance enthusiasts a thrilling new avenue to electrify their passion both on the road and the track,” said José Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.
Aerodynamics have been refined too. From the aggressive swan neck rear wing to the wider fenders and aero-optimised bumpers, the IONIQ 6 N is dialled in for downforce and drag balance, and it looks the part. Even the paint gets special treatment. The debut model wears Performance Blue Pearl, an evolution of Hyundai N’s signature shade, now with a deep pearl effect that dances in the light. Hyundai’s N Track Manager gives drivers the kind of analytics usually reserved for race engineers. It allows for custom track layouts, live ghost car comparisons, lap time breakdowns, and full speed data visualisation. It’s the perfect tool for shaving tenths and bragging rights alike. When the mood turns to sideways fun, Hyundai N-gineers have got you covered. The N Drift Optimiser lets you fine-tune everything from drift angle and initiation to wheelspin, so whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned slide master, the car will follow your lead - sideways and killing tyres. If you have money to waste on a set of 275/35R20 tyres…
“IONIQ 6 N combines formidable power, sophisticated battery management, aerodynamic mastery and advanced suspension systems to deliver a compelling blend of speed, stability and comfort, setting new benchmarks in modern automotive engineering,” said Manfred Harrer, Executive Vice President and Head of Vehicle Development Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Company.
Hyundai N’s journey from Pure ETCR to track-ready street EVs has been rapid, and this latest chapter will simply add to the legend of N. The IONIQ 6 N helps redefine what performance EVs can be. It’s fast, focused, and full of theatre - yet still practical enough to wear a number plate and carry four adults in comfort. While we might not see it prowling South African roads anytime soon, we can still dream - and watch from afar as Hyundai goes full tilt.
The All-New IONIQ 6 N Specifications
Motor output
Front: 166 kW
Rear: 282 kW
Total output: 448 kW
Boost output: 478 kW - (Front: 175 kW / Rear: 303 kW)
High-voltage battery: Energy 84.0 kWh
Charging time: With 350 kW, 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes (under optimal conditions)
Dimensions: Length 4,935 mm - Width 1,940 mm - Height 1,495 mm - Wheelbase 2,965 mm
Tyres: 275/35R20 - Exclusively developed for the IONIQ 6 N, the ‘HN-marked Pirelli P-Zero 5’ delivers precision-tuned performance for maximum driving dynamics
Braking system
Front: Four pistons, 400 mm discs
Rear: Single piston, 360 mm discs
0 - 100 km/h: 3.2 seconds (with N Launch Control)
Top speed: Up to 257 km/h
Exterior colours: Performance Blue Pearl, Abyss Black Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Nocturne Grey Metallic, Nocturne Grey Matte, Gravity Gold Matte
Interior colour: Black with Performance Blue accents
Performance Features
N Launch Control: Automatically modulates motor torque to achieve optimal wheel slip, ensuring maximum traction and blazing fast take-off from a standstill.
N e-Shift: Offers a unique shift feeling and driving sensibility that can be found in internal combustion engine vehicles
N Active Sound +: Functions to deliver greater driver feedback and therefore let the driver control the vehicle precisely
N Grin Boost: Maximises acceleration for 10 seconds - Maximum power increase and maximised motor responsiveness for overtaking
N Battery: Preconditions the battery to optimal temperature according to driving purposes (Drag/Sprint/Endurance) - Faster battery preconditioning with optimised thermal management control and enhanced capacity of the battery coolant heater
N Drift Optimiser: Individual level control for customizable drift settings - Initiation (RTO) / Angle (ESC) / Wheel Spin (TCS)
N Torque Distribution: Provides fully variable front and rear torque distribution that can be adjusted to 11 levels
N Pedal: Enables agile cornering with 3 selectable levels for faster tuck-in motion
N Brake Regen: Max. 0.6G regenerative braking for improved brake endurance with 0.35G regenerative braking under ABS
TPMS Custom Mode: Allows the driver to set a target tyre pressure at their convenience
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the latest Hyundai to bear the IONIQ nameplate, the IONIQ 6. This is an awesome creation from the chaps at Hyundai N: The all-new IONIQ 6 N World Premiere – Redefining Performance | Hyundai N Worldwide
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