TOP GEAR PUTS THE 641 HP ELECTRIC IONIQ 5 N EN1 CUP THROUGH ITS PACES, PROVES IT'S AWESOMENESS.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen offerings from Korean automakers that have caught the attention of the world’s motoring press. The cars have not only become good enough to rival what the usual major automakers are creating, but they’ve also managed to sway buyers into their fold. Kia has had some interesting cars like the Stinger, but Hyundai has been churning out top-level cars for the petrol-powered and electric markets like the range under the N banner, akin to BMW’s M division. The i20 N, i30 N, Kona N, Elantra N and Veloster N have cemented themselves as a brilliant choice for those who want a performance-oriented car, not only do they have the looks and the power, but they also have brilliant handling and dynamics, not to mention the tech that’s part of the package. On the electric vehicles front, Hyundai recently introduced the IONIQ range, our favourite being the IONIQ 5 N because it’s a true hot hatch in every sense of the word. The IONIQ 5 N is a beastly little thing, it's equipped with a pair of electric motors, the front motor is rated at a cool 166 kW while the rear motor is rated at a powerful 282 kW which is already more power than any petrol-powered hot hatch, but when you consider that these motors work in tandem, the GTi-sized hatchback has a total of 448 kW of power on tap. It doesn’t end there though, the IONIQ 5 N has a specific drive mode called N Grin Boost and when activated it takes the total power up to an unbelievable 478 kW. The powers that be at Hyundai decided that it would be a good idea to create a special version of the car that’s more suited to proper motorsport exploits, it was given all the right additions and features to make it more than competitive on track and to properly exploit the massive amounts of power.
The result of this project is what you see here, and they’ve decided to call it the IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup. This race version has been built to conform to the rules and regulations of the recognised N1 class, and the changes from the street version are plentiful. The IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup features a redesigned body kit with low and wide-style over-fenders, wider wheel trajectories, increased downforce from front lips and rear wings, and improved aerodynamic performance. A load of unnecessary components were removed to reduce the weight as much as possible, and to keep to this theme a set of race-spec lightweight forged wheels were added, as was an FRP bonnet and polycarbonate windows which brought the EV’s weight down from 2,275 kg to a more palatable 1,970 kg. The cabin features an FIA-approved roll cage, race seats and harnesses, fire extinguishers (exclusively for electric fires) and asphyxiation fire extinguishers. The IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup car also features height and camber adjustable suspension, 6-pot brakes up front with 4-pots at the rear and on race days it wears series-approved slicks. When we first brought you details of the car, it all sounded massively impressive but we needed to see what it would do in the real world. Since that report, the car has been handed over to some of the world’s top motoring media to review, and we’ve been watching all the related content we can find, the car is just that interesting. We’ve always been fans of Top Gear, and so when Top Gear Magazine’s Deputy Editor, Ollie Kew was given the chance to test the car and film it, we almost wet our collective pants. Take a look and see why.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the latest electric creation from Hyundai N, the 600+ hp purpose-built, track-prepped EV purpose built IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup and how it was tested the right way by the crew from motoring giants Top Gear: FIRST DRIVE: 641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup! | Top Gear