Hyundai Storms EV Markets with Ioniq 5 N, RN22e, and N Vision 74 Concepts
- Hyundai plans to expand its EV market share with an N version of the Ioniq 5, and two high-performance concept cars.
- The RN22e, based on the E-GMP platform Ioniq 6, will feature increased power, upgraded motorsports functional bodywork, and upgraded brakes.
- A striking retro-coupe, the 670 hp N Vision 74 concept is a tribute to Hyundai’s first sports car, the 1974 Pony Coupe.
Praise be to the designers at Hyundai! Sliding behind the tuner-inspired RN22e remake of the new Ioniq 6, a car already revered for its industry-defining looks, the N Vision 74 concept pushes all the right buttons for car enthusiasts. From the 1980s nostalgia of boxy Japanese coupes to the recessed grille and modern LED lights, the concept car takes inspiration from generations of automotive design for an appeal across the spectrum.
Specifications for the two concept cars were provided by Hyundai, and the engineering team didn’t hesitate to show why we should be impatiently awaiting the arrival of these concepts. The E-GMP platformed RN22e comes equipped with 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque, fed to all four wheels through the N-performance e-LSD. Given the weight of the 77.4-kWh battery, four-piston monoblock calipers and a 400mm hybrid disc will be installed and can be adjusted through a track-specific brake and torque vectoring mode. As a part of this track setting, N engineers are tuning the regenerative braking system to better control yaw and improve corner entry.
The tuned version of the electric streamliner will have increased downforce and cooling abilities thanks to its motorsports-inspired bodywork. Parts of the car have been 3D printed to reduce weight and focus on rigidity. A lack of mechanical noise is a common complaint levied against EVs, a problem Hyundai hopes to solve with its N Sound+ system. The system will channel organic drivetrain sound into the cabin and integrate vibrations as a feedback mechanism for drivers.
If that sounds enticing, the N Vision 74 cranks the performance up even further. Contrary to the Ioniq offerings, the N Vision will be a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid putting down 670 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque through each of the electric motor-driven rear wheels. A tribute to Hyundai’s Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed 1974 Pony Coupe concept, the FCEV is expected to be powered by a 62.4-kWh, 800V battery pack and 1.1-gallon hydrogen tank, with 372 miles of range. As a result of the battery and hydrogen power, Hyundai emphasized the importance of cooling this machine with its three-channel cooling system. With a wheelbase of 114 inches, the retro-coupe is set to be roomy inside, with a digital driver-centered dash and some analog gauges.
And that’s not the only exciting news Hyundai shared. The company’s commitment to electric vehicles is central to its current strategy and it knows making EVs engaging will be essential to a more broad acceptance. Building on the already successful Ioniq 5 platform, Hyundai plans to release an N version of its Ioniq 5 crossover by 2023.
Few details are known about the Ioniq 5 N, but Hyundai did say that these concept cars are part of the global strategy to build excitement around accessible, performance EVs. The N brand claims to be focused on three main goals: corner rascal character, racetrack capability, and everyday sports car use. Hyundai’s current N offerings have achieved these goals and then some, meaning a high bar has been set for the high-performing electrified offering.
Hyundai
“N is moving forward to set new standards in sustainable high performance,” said Till Wartenberg, vice president of N Brand Management & Motorsport Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Company. “We enthusiastically start this new chapter of electrified high-performance and will pursue this goal by using our creativity, engineering expertise and competitive spirit.”
Though we’re missing out on pricing details and release dates, Hyundai’s exercise in design and EV enthusiasm is ground for celebration. Electric vehicles have undeniable performance specifications, but creating character has proven to be a challenge for legacy manufacturers and startups alike. However, the future of EV design and performance is headed the right way with an N Vision 74 on the horizon.
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