The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N will make its Australian debut next weekend (September 1-2), when it headlines the Sydney leg of the 2023 World Time Attack Challenge.
Set to be piloted by drifting royalty Keiichi Tsuchiya in a series of demonstrations across the weekend, the IONIQ 5 N’s first appearance on Australian soil will come several months ahead of local sales commencing, with first customer cars set to be handed over early next year.
Australian pricing and specification details are yet to be announced for the high-output electric SUV, but it’s almost a given that the IONIQ 5 N will cost more than the related Kia EV6 GT – which starts from $99,590 plus on-road costs – on account of its extra firepower and multitude of track-honed driver aids and features.
Just some of these functions include the N Drift Optimiser, N Active Sound+, N e-shift simulated transmission, advanced battery pre-conditioning system, N Race function, N Torque Distribution, electronic rear differential and Torque Kick Drift, among others.
Hyundai has long said its N vehicles are first and foremost about fun and engagement rather than outright performance, and yet the IONIQ 5 N’s dual-motor powertrain churns out 478kW/740Nm and will launch the two-tonne-plus EV to 100km/h in a claimed 3.4 seconds (0.1sec sooner than the EV6 GT).
“We are excited to partner with World Time Attack Challenge, which will provide the perfect showcase for the immense performance capability of IONIQ 5 N, our first all-electric Hyundai N vehicle,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO, Ted Lee.
World Time Attack Challenge CEO Ian Baker said Tsuchiya, drifting and Hyundai fans alike were in for a treat when the world-famous drifter takes to the track in the IONIQ 5 N.
The IONIQ 5 N will be joined at the event by the full fleet of N Performance vehicles currently available in Australia, including the facelifted version of the i30 Sedan N that will also make its inaugural appearance Down Under ahead of this year’s N Fest.