The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has more horsepower than a Lamborghini Huracán and we got to push it to the limit

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a performance EV that weaponizes advanced technology to humiliate traditional supercars in a straight line.

This high-voltage crossover produces 641hp, which officially places it above the output of a standard V10 Lamborghini Huracán.

Hyundai engineers successfully tuned this model to provide the visceral feedback typically missing from a silent electric drivetrain.

While most EVs feel like appliances, this machine aims to rewrite the rules of physics for anyone brave enough to pin the throttle.

Wild Hyundai Ioniq 5 N tech

The dual-motor setup in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N draws power from an 84.0-kWh battery pack.

In my testing, I found that hitting the ‘N Grin Boost’ button on the steering wheel feels like a shot of nitrous, granting the full 641hp peak for a 10-second burst.

This allowed the EV to reach 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, which actually beats the standard Lamborghini Huracán.

A complex electric drivetrain manages this power by constantly shifting torque between the front and rear wheels to maintain grip.

While the technology is impressive, the car is undeniably heavy at over 2.2 tonnes, and I could definitely feel that bulk when trying to pull it up into a tight corner.

To make the car feel less like a computer, Hyundai added electric technology that simulates a real gearbox.

The car jerks and vibrates during ‘shifts’ to mimic an eight-speed transmission, giving me a sense of building speed that other EVs lack.

I honestly expected this to be a gimmick, but I found myself using it constantly because it helps judge entry speed into corners.

The synthetic engine noises were a bit hit-and-miss; some sounded like a fighter jet, while others came across as a bit cartoonish.

There is even a drift mode that helps the car slide sideways by sending more power to the back wheels.

These features helped hide the fact that this is essentially a very fast, very heavy computer.

Running a performance electric car on a racetrack would usually lead to overheating, but the Ioniq 5 N uses heavy-duty cooling to stay fast.

The car managed two full laps of the Nürburgring at racing speeds before the battery needed a break.

However, I noticed that the real-world range dropped significantly if the driver is even slightly aggressive with the right foot.

When the juice runs low, the 800V electric drivetrain allows for a 10 to 80 percent charge in about 18 minutes at a fast charger.

This meant I spent less time waiting at a charger and more time actually driving.

Every mechanical update focuses on making sure the car survives repeated abuse, even if the software menus are a bit of a nightmare to navigate.

The future of N power

The development of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N provides a template for future high-performance models from the company.

Reports indicate an Ioniq 6 N sedan is already being tested with the same 641hp electric drivetrain.

This strategy shows the brand is serious about taking on the enthusiast market with multiple body styles.

Using specialized electric vehicle technology allows these cars to compete with brands that have decades of racing history.

Personally, I found the interior a bit dark and plasticky in places for a car at this price point, and the manual seat adjustments felt a bit cheap compared to the rest of the tech in the car.

The racing seats, however, are comfortable and supportive enough to hug you while you flog this car around corners.

As the industry moves toward batteries, the performance electric car is becoming the new benchmark for daily speed.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N proves that a practical family car can deliver enough force to challenge an Italian exotic.

Future versions of this technology will likely focus on making the cars lighter and even more aggressive.

While I would love to see a bit more range and a more premium interior, the pure driving thrills here are undeniable.

The era of the silent, boring electric car is ending as these high-output crossovers reach the streets.

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