IONIQ 5N – can it conquer Pikes Peak

• Production IONIQ 5 N fully equipped to perform at Pikes Peak
• A second modified IONIQ 5 N will be revealed prior to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring on May 30

With a new generation of owners now getting behind the wheel of the IONIQ 5 N. Hyundai will spark even more excitement at the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on June 23, 2024. Two 478kW IONIQ 5 N cars will go after the record in the Electric Production SUV class as part of a four-car effort.

“We are returning to the mountain stronger than we have left it. With a class leading electric SUV in the form of IONIQ 5 N,” said Till Wartenberg, head of N Brand and Motorsport. “Hyundai has a history of proving new technologies and products at Pikes Peak. Going all the way back to 1992 and the IONIQ 5 N brings that concept to high performance electric cars. The production spec IONIQ 5 N will demonstrate what customers can expect from their vehicles.”

The drivers of the IONIQ 5 N vehicles in the Electric Production SUV class are Paul Dallenbach and Ron Zaras. Dallenbach is an eleven-time PPIHC winner and set an overall record in 1993. Zaras is a PPIHC rookie and the newest team member. Zaras, a media personality and former Hoonigan executive, was recently chosen to showcase the story of a motorsport enthusiast preparing for this massive challenge of competing at Pikes Peak.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

“As a lifelong fan of rallying, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been a bucket list event to take part in from the first time I watched the film ‘Climb Dance’ on a 56k Internet connection,” said Zaras. “So, competing here for my first time ever in the IONIQ 5 N – with the support of the excellent teams at Hyundai – is an incredible honour. I’m thrilled to share my journey from young spectator to first time competitor along the way; challenging as that path may be.”

In addition, Hyundai will debut a modified specification IONIQ 5 N to compete at PPIHC prior to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring on May 30. Two of these additional IONIQ 5 N models will be driven by Dani Sordo and Robin Shute. Shute is a four-time overall winner and King of the Mountain title holder at Pikes Peak. Sordo is a Spanish World Rally Championship driver for Hyundai Motorsport.

Hyundai chose to pursue the PPHIC Electric Production SUV class record with a IONIQ 5 N. Because it embodies the racetrack capability of every N performance vehicle. IONIQ 5 N has been tested in extreme temperatures and locations. And developed and tuned specifically at the Nürburgring Nordschleife for enhanced racetrack capability.

It is supported by technologies such as:

• structural enhancements,
• World Rally Championship-inspired integrated drive axles,
• increased thermal management,
• N-tuned brakes, and
• an industry leading brake regenerative force of 0.6G.

standard IONIQ 5 N

Due to the rigorous test process for the standard IONIQ 5 N, only minor updates were made to comply with the rules from a safety perspective. The driver’s seat was replaced with a Recaro Pro Racer SPA Hans seat. The seat belts are Sabelt six-point HANS compatible. The rear seats were removed, and a roll cage and fire suppression system were installed.

In every other way, the IONIQ 5 N being prepared for Pikes Peak is a standard IONIQ 5 N. In the future, the red paint will be swapped with a new eye-catching Hyundai N livery.