[Report] "Who Knew Driving an EV Could Be This Thrilling?"... Ioniq 6 N Track Test Drive

Test Drive Review of the Ioniq 6 N Prototype

On June 10, Hyundai Motor Company's Namyang Research Center, the outpost of its innovative technology, was abuzz with activity. On the test track, a camouflaged electric sedan roared as it sped along. Even as it entered a sharp curve, it maintained its speed and exited with agility. Pressing harder on the accelerator in the straight section, the speedometer quickly surpassed 100 km/h in just over three seconds. Pulling the virtual shift lever behind the steering wheel, the engine emitted a 'bang bang' sound reminiscent of popcorn popping. It felt as if I had stepped into a racing game. This was the moment when Hyundai researchers' emphasis on the "fun of driving" truly resonated.

Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 6 N, the second electric vehicle under its high-performance N brand. On June 10, a prototype model of this car was test-driven at the Namyang Research Center, the heart of Hyundai's R&D. The Ioniq 6 N is a high-performance electric vehicle based on the Ioniq 6 electric sedan, and represents the culmination of Hyundai Motor Group's advanced EV technology.

Hyundai's first high-performance electric SUV, the Ioniq 5 N, has already earned global recognition for the company's EV technology. Now, leveraging world-class technological capabilities, Hyundai has introduced the Ioniq 6 N, a high-performance sedan EV designed to maximize the "joy of driving."

The prototype model of Hyundai's second high-performance electric vehicle, the Ioniq 6 N, is running on the track. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

The most distinctive feature of the Ioniq 6 N is that it is a high-performance electric vehicle based on a sedan. The previous Ioniq 5 N was built on a sports utility vehicle (SUV) platform, which naturally imposed certain physical limitations during track driving.

Built on a sedan platform, the Ioniq 6 N has been developed as an even more agile and nimble track-focused electric car. While it shares the same E-GMP electric vehicle platform as the Ioniq 5 N, its center of gravity has been lowered to enable more stable and precise driving. Aerodynamic drag has also been improved, and electronically controlled dampers have been applied to enhance both ride comfort and driving performance.

Durability has been strengthened to withstand the extreme demands of track driving. The motor magnets have been upgraded to maintain performance under high-load driving conditions, and both the hardware and software for battery cooling have been updated to further improve cooling performance.

Changes have also been made to the drift mode and the virtual transmission system (N-e Shift), features that allow the EV to be used as a "track toy." Typically, electric vehicles do not have transmissions. However, Hyundai's N brand has implemented a virtual transmission system that simulates gear shifts and engine sounds, creating the sensation of driving an internal combustion engine vehicle.

The Ioniq 6 N offers more detailed control over the distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels during drifting, and the virtual transmission can now be used simultaneously in drift mode, further enhancing driver immersion.

The prototype model of Hyundai's second high-performance electric vehicle, the Ioniq 6 N, is running on the track. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

Another reason the Ioniq 6 N is generating excitement among high-performance car enthusiasts is its newly developed virtual sound system. Electric vehicles, powered only by motors, are nearly silent, but for driving excitement, a powerful engine sound or background noise is essential. To address this, Hyundai has equipped its high-performance EVs with three types of virtual sounds: Ignition (internal combustion engine sound), Evolution (mechanical sound), and Supersonic (jet engine noise).

For the Ioniq 6 N, Hyundai plans to replace the Supersonic version with a new sound. A lead researcher involved in development explained, "We are developing a version so innovative and appealing that it is called the 'crazy sound,' aiming to unveil it with the mass production model. This is part of our effort to discover new elements of fun unique to high-performance EVs."

On July 10 (local time), Hyundai will unveil the mass production version of the Ioniq 6 N for the first time in the world at the Goodwood Festival in the United Kingdom. The Goodwood Festival is a world-renowned automotive event where motorsport fans, manufacturers, racing drivers, and car enthusiasts gather. In 2023, Hyundai debuted the N brand's first high-performance electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5 N, on the festival's hill climb course. This year, Hyundai aims to capture the attention of car enthusiasts worldwide by introducing the new sedan version, the Ioniq 6 N. On July 3, Hyundai also released a teaser video for the Ioniq 6 N, further heightening anticipation.

Park Junwoo, Executive Director of N Management Division, stated, "The Ioniq 6 N was developed with the goal of providing the most immersive driving experience in the era of electrification. By proving just how enjoyable an electric vehicle can be to drive, we will once again set a new standard in the EV market."

The prototype model of Hyundai's second high-performance electric vehicle, the Ioniq 6 N, is running on the track. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company