SPY PICS: Hyundai IONIQ 5 N spotted wearing less

The 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N has just been sighted smashing out laps of the Nurburgring in near silence and wearing just a single layer of prototype camouflage ahead of the high-performance electric SUV’s hotly anticipated reveal early next year.

This is our best look yet at the inaugural battery-electric Hyundai N model, which was spotted both on track and on the roads surrounding the infamous German public-road circuit, and it’s fair to say the signs are promising.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N’s front-end is defined by a dedicated new trapezoid bumper and intake arrangement filled with the obligatory black mesh, air curtains and integrated aero elements.

It’s a similar story at the back, where we find the familiar parametric pixel tail-lights, enlarged rear wing, pumped-up and vented butt cheeks and an aggressive new rear bumper housing a darkened diffuser.

The side profile doesn’t reveal too much more than what we’ve seen before beyond the hunkered down stance, big brake package and N-spec lightweight alloy wheels, but this time around we can clearly see the previously disguised bonnet ridges running longitudinally between the front of the car and the windscreen.

Odds are these ridges will be purely cosmetic as per the Mercedes-AMG ‘power domes’, but they could contribute to the IONIQ 5 N’s aggressive aerodynamic suite – they are still obscured from view after all.

Our shooters tell us the test vehicle was running some extremely stiff chassis settings during the hot laps – as one would expect for an N-car – in combination with the circa-430kW/740Nm dual-motor battery-electric powertrain already previewed in the related Kia EV6 GT.

The 0-100km/h sprint will take the IONIQ 5 N less than 3.5 seconds to reel off and, if its sister car is anything to go by, the top speed will nudge 260km/h.

All of this electric fury will be fed by a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery, which should permit an effective driving range of around 410km.

Such performance and technological advancements will undoubtedly come at a cost, with many tipping the IONIQ 5 N to be first Hyundai-badged vehicle to carry a six-figure asking price, as per the upcoming Kia EV6 GT.

However, we doubt that will hinder consumer interest given the current demand for the regular IONIQ 5 and the established Hyundai N portfolio, both of which continue to command long wait times.

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