2027 Hyundai IONIQ 3 N firming

With the Kia EV4 GT set to debut later this year, attention is predictably turning to when we might see a comparable Hyundai N model – most likely the IONIQ 3 N – and what it’ll be capable of. Primed to be the most accessible electric N model in the range, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to mock up our impression of what the zero-emission hot hatch might look like… and we’re rather pleased.

The recipe for our creation was very simple: give last year’s Hyundai Concept Three show car an N makeover will all the usual go-faster hallmarks, meaning a lower ride, wider stance, bigger intakes, red trim, angrier bumpers, a proper rear wing, swollen brakes and a few other angry bits.

The standard Concept Three is already a striking piece of kit, clearly drawing inspiration from the defunct Veloster coupe-hatch, but our rendered beastie is on another level and, if it packs 300kW (or more) and all-wheel drive as per the EV4 GT, it’ll be able to back up its visual attitude.

Throw in the latest version of the ‘N e-Shift’ virtual transmission, N Active Sound+ suite and all the configurability we know and love from the internal combustion Ns and the IONIQ 3 N starts to shape up as one hell of an electric performance car, especially for less than $90,000.

Hyundai has long been wary of the (supposedly lacking) track capability of a 400-volt architecture, insisting every one of its baby blue products needs to be able to handle extended periods on track – for the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 Ns, that’s two laps of the Nürburgring.

This car is still a fair way off yet, but we’ll get a lot of pre-emptive answers from the EV4 GT later this year, just as the EV6 GT alluded to the IONIQ 5 N’s key motifs.

The IONIQ 3 N will undoubtedly be more focused and involving than the hot EV4, but the two should ultimately share the same core hardware, including an 81.4kWh battery pack.

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