Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Set For Record-Setting Bid At Pikes Peak Hillclimb

Earlier this month, we reported that Hyundai debuted the Hyundai N eN1 Cup racecar, which would compete in the N1 race series. Just a few weeks after, Hyundai announced plans to enter up to four units of the Ioniq 5 N in this year's edition of the Pikes Peak hillclimb event.

This arduous mountain climb event, scheduled for June 23, will be the 102nd edition of this long-running event, and Hyundai seeks to break the Electric Production SUV/Crossover class record here. This time, Hyundai will enter two production-spec Ioniq 5 N vehicles, as well as a pair of race-prep cars.

The Ioniq 5 N, which previously underwent extensive testing at severe temperatures and race tracks such as the Nürburgring, would only require minor tweaks from its production form to compete. However, Hyundai will favour safety features such as a rear roll cage over weight reduction.

The modifications for the two Ioniq 5 Ns aiming for the course record would however involve removal of the rear seats to fit the roll cage. Replaced too is the driver's seat, which will see a Recaro Pro Racer SPA HANS-compatible bucket seat in place with a six-point Sabelt racing harness. A fire suppression system will be included too for extra safety.

Despite these changes, the Ioniq 5 N will stay substantially unchanged, with the same 800-volt Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture as the production Ioniq 5 N, which has an 84 kWh battery and can draw up to 350 kW DC charging input.

It would also have the same dual-motor layout as the production model, capable of producing up to 641 HP with overboost enabled, or 601 HP under normal conditions. As refresher, the road-going Ioniq 5 N is also capable of despatching 0-100 KM/H in just 3.4 secs whilst enroute towards an electronically capped V-max of 260 KM/H..

Paul Dallenbach, eleven-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) winner, will pilot one of the "stock" Ioniq 5 Ns, with rookie Ron Zaras, a former Hoonigan executive, driving the other. The two race-prep vehicles will be piloted by WRC driver Dani Sordo and four-time Pikes Peak overall winner Robin Shute, known as the King of the Mountain.

The Ioniq 5 N, which is now being tested at Pikes Peak dressed in a red livery as seen in the pictures, would instead race in the iconic N livery on raceday.