The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Is Going Racing

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N may well be one of the most credible attempts yet at a properly engaging electric performance car. Now, as it repositions its N performance badge as a purveyor of electric performance, Hyundai is adding some motorsport pedigree to the 5 N’s reputation with a one-make race series for it.

Starting this year, the Ioniq 5 N will race in the new eN1 class at the Hyundai N Festival, a race series that takes place at various circuits across South Korea. It’ll be adding to the series’ current programme, which features a pair of categories using the Hyundai Avante, or as it’s known in North America, the Elantra.

The Ioniq 5 N that’s going racing is called the eN1 Cup, and has been overhauled with a wider track, a new bodykit and the removal of unnecessary weight – although Hyundai still reckons on it weighing a hefty 1970kg.

It rides on two-way adjustable dampers and full racing slick tyres and is fitted out with the standard array of motorsport safety kit, including an FIA-approved roll cage.

The powertrain, meanwhile, is unchanged from the road car, with an 84kWh battery powering a motor on each axle for a healthy 641bhp. It also keeps the road car’s various nods to driver engagement, including the N e-Shift simulated ‘gearbox’ and on-board sound generator, which potentially addresses one of the biggest complaints around existing electric racing categories – lack of noise.

The Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup will be making its track debut at this year’s N Festival season opener at the wonderfully named Inje Speedium circuit on 27 April, although it’ll only be for a non-competitive practice session. Its first official race sessions will be at the fifth round in October, once again at Inje, with various race formats including traditional sprint races and one-on-one knockouts.

With the opening season serving as a trial period, a proper race programme is likely to follow in subsequent years. Hopefully, it’ll be a bigger success than the last attempt at a one-make EV race series, the Jaguar I-Pace e-Trophy, which lasted just two seasons.