What do you get when you mix one part electric SUV, one part mad scientist engineer, and a dash of “hold my beer”? Hyundai’s answer: four Ioniq 5 N EVs headed for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. And trust me, two of these bad boys are not your average Ioniq 5 N models – if you dare to call the Ioniq 5 N average at all.
Hyundai, apparently bored with making sensible electric crossovers, decided to unleash their inner mad scientist and cook up two “TA Spec” versions of the Ioniq 5 N. These winged beasts are not just grocery getters, they’re more like grocery launchers with electric motors cranked up to a whopping 687 horsepower. That’s enough juice to power a small village… or win a hill climb.
The TA Spec Ioniq 5 N – A True Monster
Hyundai isn’t just sending these souped-up speedsters to the mountain. They’re also fielding two stock Ioniq 5 N models, proving they’re not afraid to let the factory-fresh model flex its muscles alongside its steroid-infused siblings. It’s a classic underdog story but with a twist of electricity and a whole lot of torque.
The TA Spec (Time Attack Spec) Ioniq 5 N cars are rocking:
- Three-way adjustable dampers
- Motorsport-grade brakes
- Sticky 18-inch Yokohama ADVAN 005 slick tires
- A massive high-downforce rear wing
- 687 hp from a tuned rear motor (+37 hp over stock)
That massive wing isn’t just for show – it’s there to keep the car glued to the tarmac as it rockets up Pikes Peak’s 156 turns and 4,700-foot elevation change.
But Hyundai took the insanity even further by tinkering with the N Active Sound+ system. They cranked it up to over 120 decibels, creating a simulated engine noise so loud they could ditch the typical electric race car sirens.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N TA A Clash of Legends at Pikes Peak
Behind the wheel of these electric beasts will be a clash of driving legends:
- Four-time Pikes Peak overall winner Robin Shute
- WRC driver Dani Sordo (Ioniq 5 N TA Spec cars)
- Paul Dallenbach, 11-time PPIHC winner
- Ron Zaras, automotive media personality (Stock Ioniq 5 N cars)
It’s an epic showdown between Pikes Peak royalty and one of the most technically advanced electric race cars ever conceived. Shute and Sordo will be aiming to set new records in the Electric Modified SUV/Crossover class with the winged TA Spec cars, while Dallenbach and Zaras look to prove the production 5 N is capable of taking the Electric Production SUV/Crossover record.
More Than Just Real-Life Racing
Of course, Hyundai didn’t just drop this Pikes Peak bombshell and call it a day. They also announced a new partnership with the geniuses behind the Gran Turismo racing sim. While light on details so far, Hyundai N says they will “collaborate again for various sim-racing activities including Pikes Peak International Hill Climb participation.”
So even if you can’t make it to the mountain in person on June 23, 2024, you may soon be able to experience the rush of flinging an electrified Hyundai up one of racing’s most iconic hill climbs from the comfort of your gaming chair.
Visitors to Hyundai’s N24 showcase could already get a taste by sampling the latest Gran Turismo 7 on the show floor. An on-site sim racing competition was even being held for fans.
A Trail-Blazing Effort
Love it or hate it, you have to give Hyundai credit for their utterly bonkers Pikes Peak effort. They are going all-in on making electric performance cars incredibly exciting.
From cranking the sound system to ear-splitting levels to giving one of their mainstream EVs nearly 700 horsepower and a wild aerodynamic makeover, Hyundai is trail-blazing what the future of electric motorsports could look like.
And their partnership with Gran Turismo shows they want gamers and fans to be able to experience that electrified excitement virtually as well.
Does the idea of a road-going crossover EV being prepared for an all-out race like Pikes Peak seem slightly unhinged? Absolutely. But it’s also incredibly awesome and will undoubtedly push the boundaries of what people think an electric car is capable of.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find a set of earplugs because I have a feeling those TA Spec Ioniq 5 Ns are going to be loud!
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N TA Spec Technical Specs
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Power | 687 hp (through software tuning) |
| Battery | 84.0 kWh |
| Inverter | Silicon carbide two-stage |
| Charging | Up to 350 kW; 10-80% in 18 min |
| Chassis | Three-way adjustable dampers, adjustable ride height/camber |
| Body | eN1 with Pikes Peak aero package |
| Wheels | 18-inch 11J forged racing wheels |
| Tires | 18-inch Yokohama ADVAN 005 slicks |
| Brakes | 6-piston front, 4-piston rear racing calipers/pads |
What do you think of Hyundai’s wild Pikes Peak plans with the winged Ioniq 5 N EVs? Sound off in the comments below!