Hyundai Announces Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup One-Make Racing Series

Announced at the N Festival this week, a track-ready Hyundai Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup racecar is in the pipelines! (Image: @carscenekorea Instagram)

Announced in South Korea this week during the N Festival, Hyundai looks set to run a one-make racing series next year featuring an uprated ‘cup’ racer versions of its Ioniq 5 N electric performance crossover.

The announcement saw Hyundai’s now renowned single-lettered performance skunkworks preview what it christens as the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup racecar, albeit virtually on-screen – a physical prototype hasn’t been built just yet. When Hyundai does though, the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup racecar will boasts several key racing upgrades besides a mandatory FIA-approved roll cage.

Detailed here too is an uprated aerokit featuring a deeper new bumper with larger intakes, canards, and a new splitter. Elsewhere, the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup racer will also sport wider fenders, fixed rear spoiler, as well as a massive rear diffuser, amongst other things.

Crucially, said Cup racer version of the Ioniq 5 N will also weight roughly 200-250 KG lighting than said roadcar it underpins. The weight-savings stem from things like polycarbonate windows, as well as weight reduction through deleting on board items deemed unnecessary for racing.

Based on the manic Ioniq 5 N roadcar, the Cup version will sport plenty of racing upgrades such as a fully redesigned aerokit. (Images: @carscenekorea Instagram)

Other key upgrades will include racing slick tyres, massive fixed rear wing and rear diffuser, as well as lightweight polycarbonate door windows. (Images: @carscenekorea Instagram)

Not just a measure to boost performance, said weight-trimming should also boost the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup racecar’s maximum on-track racing time and range too. Just don’t expect it to weigh under two tonnes still – a trait it still must live with given current EV battery tech limits.

As for the chassis, stiffer new adjustable suspension with pillowball joints should see ride height lowered to 50-70 MM. Hyundai plans for this EV racer to adopt racing slick tyres measuring 280/680R18, an air jack lift, as well as 6-piston (front) and 4-piston (rear) calipers with racing pads.

Additionally, the Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup car is expected to weigh 200-250 KG lighter than the road car it underpins. Drivers will also be able to use its N Grin Boost for overtaking too. (Images: @carscenekorea Instagram)

No word on boosted outputs just yet, but we reckon the stock roadcar’s 641 HP outputs borne out of it dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup juiced by an 84 kWh battery is plenty enough. Expect the latter power source to feature enhanced protection for racing too.

Hyundai also reportedly shared that each racing team will have access to a special version of the N Active Sound+ suite. This will grant them the option of distinct fake exhaust sounds. Furthermore, drivers will also be able to use the built-in N Grin Boost for extra power during overtaking, and the N e-Shift function adding virtual gears.

Hyundai didn't disclose as output change from the stock Ioniq 5 N roadcar. As a refresher, said model pack a dual-motor, AWD setup rated at 641 HP.

Sources online report that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 eN1 Cup car will see its development completed by Feb 2024 ahead of a planned racing debut in May 2024 where it will form part of a new one-make racing series in South Korea.

What do you folks reckon then? Could this be the start of a new and electrified wave in motorsports? As always, share your take on things in the comments below, as well as our social media pages…