Hyundai Ioniq 5 N launched in Thailand – RM480k!

While we await the impending launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Malaysia, over in Thailand, the hot electric SUV has made its long-awaited debut – having been shown at the Bangkok Motor Show as early as April. And if you thought the RM390,000 estimated pricing that local dealers have been floating was expensive, you haven’t seen anything yet.

That’s because in the Land of Smiles, the Ioniq 5 N costs 3,790,000 baht, which is the equivalent of a whopping RM479,500! Then again, performance cars have always been expensive in Thailand – witness the latest FL5 Honda Civic Type R, which retails at 3,990,000 baht (RM504,800), compared to the Malaysian price of RM399,900.

Beyond that, the specs are as per what was shown in Bangkok, with the Ioniq 5 N’s dual motors producing an impressive 609 PS and 740 Nm of torque. So equipped, this 2.2-tonne beast will get from zero to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 260 km/h.

Being that this is an N car, the Ioniq 5 N comes with several hilariously-named features – chief of which being the N Grin Boost that boosts power and torque to 650 PS and 770 Nm. This shaves a tenth off the century sprint (3.4 seconds) via the N Launch Control.

Then there’s the 11-step N Torque Distribution that shunts power variably between the front and rear axles, the N Race function with Sprint (full power and cooling for hot laps) and Endurance (maximum range for longer drives) modes, a similarly-configured N Battery Preconditioning with Drag and Track modes and two custom N buttons on the steering wheel.

But the coolest features are the ones that help bring petrol-powered performance car drama to EVs. These include the N e-Shift that simulates the gearshifts of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, paired with the N Active Sound+ that can mimic the sound of the i30 N‘s 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine or even a fighter jet. The noise is piped through the eight-speaker Bose sound system and dual exterior speakers.

Oversteer enthusiasts, on the other hand, will love the N Drift Optimiser, which helps you maintain a drift for as long as possible and incorporates a Torque Kick Drift function that simulates a clutch kick. Meanwhile, the N Pedal increases regenerative braking to shift weight onto the front tyres, enabling a sharper turn-in, while the powertrain has been configured to support left-foot braking, allowing both the brake and throttle pedals to be pressed at the same time.

To make sure the Ioniq 5 N isn’t all mouth and no trousers, Hyundai has stiffened the structure with 42 extra welding points and 2.1 metres of additional structural adhesive. You also get a stiffer and quicker steering rack, stronger regenerative braking (pulling up to 0.6 G, claimed to be the highest on any EV), an electronic limited-slip rear differential and larger dampers to widen the performance gamut of the electronically-controlled suspension.

The Ioniq 5 N is also the first car built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) to receive a fourth-generation 84 kWh battery (fitted to the facelifted Ioniq 5), delivering a claimed range of 448 km on the WLTP cycle. Forged 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in 275/35R21 Pirelli P Zero tyres hide larger disc brakes that measure 400 mm in the front (clamped by four-piston callipers) and 360 mm at the rear.

Sitting squat on its four fat tyres, the Ioniq 5 N looks far meaner than its regular sibling, riding 50 mm wider and 20 mm lower. Fender flares help hide the wider wheels, while the front bumper has been made more aggressive with large air intakes, a prominent splitter and plenty of black and red trim. A sizeable rear diffuser with unique chequered-flag reflectors complete the look.

The substantial changes continue on the inside – the Ioniq 5’s loft-like cabin has been gutted and made more purposeful. You’ll find a three-spoke N steering wheel with dedicated mode buttons, as well as metal pedals, N-branded side sill plates and bucket seats with illuminated N logos, just like BMW’s M cars.

But the revisions go further than that – even the sliding centre console has been swapped for a fixed unit with knee pads to support your knees under hard cornering. You still get a sliding armrest as well as USB-C ports and a Qi wireless charger.

The Ioniq 5 N has just been given an update in its home market of South Korea, giving it a ten-stage N Drift Optimiser, an enhanced N e-Shift with downhill assist and downshift memory functions and some added kit. Sadly, none of these have been added to the Thai spec, but given its likely indent order status we wouldn’t be surprised if the updates make their way to the car sooner rather than later.

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