When Hyundai first introduced the all-electric IONIQ 5 back in 2021, we didn’t foresee the Korean carmaker eventually debuting a track-focused high-performance N-class variant of the four-door family hauler — yet that’s precisely what Hyundai did earlier this year, rolling out the IONIQ 5 N. With just over 600hp on tap, and an equally-impressive 0-60mph time of only 3.25 seconds, it’s frankly unsurprising that the Seoul-based marque is now using its first-ever N-spec EV as the basis of a new eN1 class racer known as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup Car.
In an effort to demonstrate the immense power offered by the production IONIQ 5 electric vehicle, Hyundai has opted to leave the stocker’s 641-hp powertrain largely untouched — save for the addition of a new, more advanced battery thermal management system. Fed though a relocated charging port, the EV’s front and rear motors draw from an 84.0-kWh battery linked with a silicon carbide two-stage inverter. Utilizing an 800-volt architecture, the charging system is able to juice up the electric race car at speeds of up to 350kW — allowing for a 10% to 80% charge in just 18 minutes. The entire cup racer also tips the scales at just 4,343lbs at the curb — a hefty figure, sure, but still a fairly svelte weight for a four-door EV. To help compensate for the EV’s extra speed, the team at Hyundai has also opted to bestow the eN1 class racer with six-piston calipers up front and four-pot units in back — both of which are linked to an upgraded regenerative braking system. Riding on 18” forged five-arm wheels shod in racing slicks, the car also gets an upgraded suspension with two-way adjustable dampers and adjustable camber and ride height.
The most obvious change to the production IONIQ 5 N is unquestionably the cup racer’s custom body and aero kits. Helping to shed weight while massively bolstering downforce, the EV’s new bodywork includes flared fenders at all four corners, a new front lip design, a large rear wing, a rear diffuser, an FRP hood, and polycarbonate windows all around. The interior of the car has been heavily fortified via an FIA regulation standard multipoint welded roll cage, though additional safety features have also been added to the mix, such as racing bucket seats with six-point harnesses, a high-voltage shutoff device, asphyxiation fire extinguishers, and special in-cabin fire extinguishers made exclusively for putting out electrical and battery fires. Like the production model IONIQ 5 N, the eN1-prepped racer also benefits from the use of Hyundai’s NGB Overboost and virtual shift “N e-Shift” systems. Interestingly, the IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup Car also boasts a differentiated and amplified N Active Sound+ system that will allow each race team to individually develop and deploy their own unique sounds.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup Car will make its competition debut at the opening round of the season at at Inje Speedium race circuit in Korea on April 27.
