HYUNDAI'S NPX1 CONCEPT IS TOO DAMN COOL - NEEDS TO BECOME A SHOWROOM MODEL.
Hyundai is doing all the things lately, the latest lineup of cars is mighty impressive, and things get even better when that now very recognisable N is added to the car. The i30N took the fight to the usual hit hatch suspects and showed that it could more than hold its own against them, as did the Kona N. There are other models that also have cracking performance and specs like the i20N and the Elantra N, but they’re not heading to local shores. The Korean automaker also has some amazing EVs in production which also can’t be found locally, but as the EV market progresses we may see one in the coming months. The IONIQ 5 N is not only a brilliant-looking electric hatchback, but it also has some stellar performance figures attached to it. The dual electric motors push out a powerful 478 kW of power with a massive 740 Nm of torque with N Grin Boost activated. The front motor is rated at 166 kW and the rear at 282 kW. To emphasise the performance, the car wears Pirelli P-Zero tyres and features 4-pot calipers over 400 mm discs up front. It can hit 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 260 km/h. That’s enough to embarrass just about any petrol-fed hot hatch. For this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Hyundai previewed a new concept car that uses the IONIQ 5 N as the base and from what we can see, it’s a stunner of a car that anyone who sees it hopes it will change from concept to reality. It’s been called the IONIQ 5 N NPX1 and we want one so bad we’ll even be happy to let it sit minus charge when Eskom power supply levels mess up.
N Performance Parts offers customers high-quality tuning parts for various N models like the Elantra N, i30 N and i20 N on the ICE side of things, but this concept introduces the same service for the electric models. As you can see, the bits that are seen on this Ionic 5 N are such that they will pretty much sell themselves. The NPX1 previews an array of N-specific enhancements that will be available for purchase from a catalogue of N Performance Parts in the near future. The product list features a carbon front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and rear wing spoiler for the bodywork. For handling, there are lowering springs and high-performance brake pads, and for rolling stock there’s an option for lightweight hybrid carbon wheels. The interior upgrades include Alcantara material and racing bucket seats. “In 2024, Hyundai Motor Company will take a step forward as a leader in new tuning parts suitable for the high-performance EV era as demonstrated with the ‘NPX1’ concept model,” said Joon Park, Vice President of N Brand Management Group. “Not limited to tuning parts, we are also developing software customization such as sound and vehicle calibration by OTA updates which will open a completely new category of EV customization for an exciting future ahead for the tuning community.” Here’s hoping that we see these cars in SA soon, because daaaaamn!
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off a new evolution on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, one of the coolest EVs we're laid eyes on. This version shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon goes by the name of the NPX1 and it's just too damn cool not to make it to prodction: Hyundai N | NPX1 | Hyundai N Worldwide
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