Hyundai has shown off a racing version of of the Ioniq 5 N high-performance electric car. Called the Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup car, it will get its own racing series in Korea as part of Hyundai's: "commitment to sustainable racing."
"We are incredibly proud to unveil the Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup car, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable racing," said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand & Motorsport. "This unique electric racing car demonstrates our cutting-edge technology and passion for pushing the boundaries of what EVs can achieve on the racetrack."
650hp from two motors
The Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup is, of course, heavily based on the road-going, high-performance Ioniq 5 N, but it does get some racing upgrades. The existing 84kWh battery and the 650hp two-motor, four-wheel drive electric architecture are carried over, but for a start the eN1 Cup car rides on proper racing slick tyres. The car also features a redesigned body kit with wider wheel arches, which hide wider-track suspension for improved handling. There's increased downforce from front lips and rear wings, and improved aerodynamic performance. It is also lighter as unnecessary components were removed to reduce the basic weight of the race car, and forged wheels, part-carbon bonnet and polycarbonate windows also help.
Noisy electric racing?
The Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup car will also be noisier than you expect, with Hyundai claiming that: "Spectators will be able to enjoy the exciting sounds delivered by NGB overboost, virtual shift N e-Shift, and differentiated and amplified NAS+ N Active Sound, with each race team being able to develop their own unique sounds."
Needless to say, the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup car has been tweaked for safety, with roll cages, racing bucket seats and seat belts. Additional safety measures, including fire extinguishers exclusively for electric fires, asphyxiation fire extinguishers and modified charge port location, have also been implemented to, says Hyundai, "ensure the highest level of safety in EV racing."
The suspension now gets two-way adaptive dampers with adjustable ride height and camber, while the brakes have been updated to six-pot front and four-pot rear setups, with forged calipers. The total weight of the car is 1,970kg. Hefty for a racer but light by EV standards.
One-make racing series
The Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup will get its first roll-out as part of Hyundai's own Korea-based N Festival. The idea is that the first season, which will consist of 11 races in total, starting with the opening round at Inje Speedium (a racetrack about 120km from Seoul) on April 27, will be a learning experience so that things such as charging infrastructure, safety and marshalling procedures, and other potential bugs can all be ironed out.
"Through the eN1 class, our ultimate aim is to establish Hyundai Motor as a true leader in the EV motorsport platform, fostering the growth and development of Korea's vibrant motorsport culture while making a resounding impact on a global scale," said Joon Park, Head of N Brand Management Group. "With the eN1 class, we are poised to redefine the future of racing and pave the way for a new era of electrifying motorsport achievements."