The facelifted Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been around since March, so an update to the acclaimed Ioniq 5 N was bound to come about sooner rather than later. And here it is – equipped with several improvements to boost the driver appeal of this hot EV even further.
Unlike the facelift, there are no changes to the design here – no surprise, given the Ioniq 5 N was revealed only last year. The car retains its bespoke exterior enhancements, including more aggressive air intakes, a riot of splitters and spoilers and a massive rear diffuser. You also get the same interior as before, with its sportier three-spoke steering wheel (replete with customisable N buttons), bucket seats and fixed centre console still unique to the N model.
Instead, the changes are centred around the car’s groundbreaking set of features designed to enhance the driving experience. The N Drift Optimiser can now be adjusted in ten steps, allowing the driver select the amount of assistance that suits their drifting skill level. In particular, the tenth step (labeled Pro) minimises stability control intervention and adjusts motor torque linearly, letting experienced users drift more freely.
Also revised is the N e-Shift feature, which replicates the shifting experience of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission through paddle shifters. Two new, aptly-named functions have been added, including downhill assist that provides increased simulated engine braking when going down a slope.
Meanwhile, downshift memory merely pauses a downshift request when the “revs” are too high instead of declining it altogether, performing the said shift automatically once the car has slowed down enough. You can also now use N e-Shift in Eco mode, rather than being restricted to Normal, Sport and N modes like you were previously.
Lastly, the N Launch Control now always plays the “preparation sound” even when the N Active Sound+ function is turned off. In its home market of South Korea, the Ioniq 5 N also gains a bunch of added kit as standard, including matrix LED headlights, walk-away auto lock, an interior vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, steering wheel vibration for the lane departure warning and rear laminated side windows.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is now on sale in Korea, available in a single trim level priced at 77 million won (RM239,800) after government tax incentives. Closer to home, the 2024 model was only recently previewed in Malaysia, but given that the car is offered on an indent order basis, expect the updates to be added to local units fairly soon.
GALLERY: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Malaysia
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