It’s no news that modern electric cars are rapid. The instant torque from the electric motor paired with a powerful drivetrain is a perfect recipe for any fast car. However, being fast off the line and having an insane acceleration figure are not the determining factors in making a vehicle fun.
In an era when the driving feel of gasoline-powered cars has become increasingly numb and artificial, Hyundai’s N Division has set out to prove that engines are not the sole determinant of driving pleasure and engagement. As demonstrated by its new performance electric sedan, the Ioniq 6 N.
We got the chance to take the Ioniq 6 N for a quick spin at this year’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Test Day, being held at Millbrook Proving Ground in England. Despite the drive lasting less than half an hour, the Ioniq 6 N exceeded our expectations by a huge margin, and got us thinking about what makes a vehicle fun to drive in modern times. Join us as we uncover the insane driving dynamic of the Ioniq 6 N and the secret behind Hyundai’s N performance division.
This article examines the performance highlights of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, along with a brief test drive from the recent SMMT Test Day. All information has been sourced from the manufacturer, and all prices listed exclude destination fees and any offers; pricing and specs are correct at the time of writing.
The Letter N Packs A Huge Punch
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N & Ioniq 6 N Specification
Ioniq 5 N
Ioniq 6 N
Horsepower
601 hp (641 hp with NGB)
Torque
545 lb-ft (568 lb-ft with NGB)
Drivetrain
AWD
Range (EPA)
221 miles
TBA
0-60 Time
3.25 sec
3.2 sec
Top Speed
162 mph
160 mph
Starting Price
$66,200
TBA
This is not the first time that the letter N has appeared on a Hyundai model. The SUV-like Ioniq 5 N is the first performance electric model from the N division, and it’s unlike any other fast EV we’ve seen. It’s clear from the very beginning that the Ioniq 5 N isn’t just about being fast in a quarter-mile drag race, but something a bit more. To start with, the Ioniq 5 N is packed with numerous technologies to maximize the driving dynamics.
For example, there’s the N Torque Distribution system, which offers 11 torque-distribution levels between the front and rear axles. The N drift optimizer is another party trick that helps maintain the drift angle by using the vehicle’s system to adapt to real-time inputs. If that’s not exciting enough for you, the N e-shift simulates the real gear change that you’ll get from a traditional gas-powered vehicle, adding that bit of excitement to your drive.
The Ioniq 6 N receives the same treatment as the 5 N, meaning that this performance electric sedan is just as exciting as its SUV sibling. Both the 5 N and 6 N produce 601 horsepower under normal circumstances. The designated N Grin Boost feature will bump up the power figure to 641 hp.
The Ioniq 6 N can reach 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 160 mph. While the performance figure sounds exciting, it’s the technology behind the 6 N that truly makes it shine. Hyundai proved with these N models that electric cars could be exhilarating to drive, and those features were more than just party tricks.
It’s A Gimmick Until You Try It
If you’re afraid that all the N-related features are just gimmicks, we can tell you that they’re not. Upon first getting into the Ioniq 6 N, the dashboard layout is identical to that of the regular Ioniq 6. However, the bucket seat that holds you firmly in place and an N-specific steering wheel with numerous gadgets will remind you that you’re driving something special. The Ioniq 6 N has different modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and the N performance mode that tightens everything. Due to the limited time of the drive, we only get to test the Ioniq 6 N in normal and N mode. In normal mode, the 6 N behaves just like the regular model. It’s quiet and controllable, just what you would expect from any modern electric car.
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But things changed when you pushed the N button on the steering wheel. The N mode is tuned to optimize for peak performance, enabling drivers to unlock the Ioniq 6 N’s capabilities. On the alpine course of Millbrook, it’s truly a joy to be in the Ioniq 6 N. While coming out of the corner, you can feel the N torque distribution working to find the best traction for the vehicle, which gives the driver augmented confidence when pushing.
Moreover, while the N e-shift may sound like a gimmick on the spec sheet at first glance, it really elevates the driving pleasure. You get pops and bangs coming from the back every time you hit the downshift paddle, and a rev limiter that truly resembles driving a gas-powered performance vehicle. Taken together, the driving feel of the Ioniq 6 N is one of the most exciting we’ve had in years, and a clear statement from the N division that electric cars can be just as exciting as any gasoline-powered vehicle.
What’s The Definition Of Driving Engagement?
After that exciting drive in the Ioniq 6 N, we began to question what factors would make a car fun and engaging to drive. While people may answer with criteria such as a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, or even a naturally aspirated engine, there’s no definitive answer that would make a vehicle fun to drive.
For years, the answer to a fun, engaging drive would most likely not include an electric vehicle. The heavy mass of the battery, the lack of connection between the vehicle and the driver, and the absence of internal combustion noise all point to the gasoline engine still being an irreplaceable part of driving engagement. However, the engineers from the N division clearly have different thoughts.
To start with, the Ioniq 6 N has the instant response required when driving fast, and the N battery management optimizes battery temperature when you are having fun. Apart from just being fast in a straight line, the suspension geometry is also completely redesigned for a low roll center that maintains maximum tire grip in any conditions. The result is a chassis that’s highly communicative and gives its driver lots of confidence in corners. On top of all the N performance technologies designed for this car, the Ioniq 6 N is more than just a fast electric sedan. It really communicates with its driver and delivers a level of engagement that’s hard to find on any modern electric vehicle.
N Division, Hyundai’s Secret Weapon Against The West
To really understand the Ioniq 6 N, it’s equally important to understand the division that produced this exciting machine. The Hyundai N division is the performance division of this Korean brand, intending to produce some of the fastest and most exciting Hyundai models ever.
Founded in 2012, the letter N stands for the company’s R&D center in Namyang, Korea, as well as the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany, a clear statement of the N division’s mission to produce track-focused machines. Under the lead of former BMW M chief engineer Albert Biermann, the N division has never stopped surprising us with new performance-oriented Hyundai models with playful driving dynamics and insane performance figures. Plenty of iconic Hyundai models, such as the i30 N, Elantra N, and even the hugely popular N Vision 74 Concept, were being cooked up inside the N division’s facility.
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Attaching a go-fast letter to the back of a car means, well, nothing. Hyundai’s N Division, however, has earned its performance wings, the hard way.
The N division’s achievements didn’t stop with road cars; motorsport is also a field where the division has earned huge success. Since its first season in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with the i20 WRC back in 2014, the N division has racked up podium places, race wins, and a championship win with its star driver Thierry Neuville in 2024.
The N division also competes in the TCR touring car championship with its Elantra N TCR race car. The vehicle won the World Tour series back in 2024, and the Elantra TCR can be seen on many racing series around the world, including the recent 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race.
Source: Hyundai, Hyundai N, Hyundai Motorsport
