Hyundai's groundbreaking IONIQ 5 N electric hyper hatch has clinched the prestigious Car of the Year award at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards, marking a resounding success for the automaker. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the IONIQ 5 N has garnered acclaim for its exhilarating driving experience, combining cutting-edge technology with the Hyundai N division's motorsport-inspired advancements.
This high-performance model seamlessly integrates the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) from the standard IONIQ 5, named the 2022 World Car of the Year, with Hyundai N's motorsport expertise. The result is a vehicle that not only embraces electrification but elevates driving enjoyment to unprecedented levels. TopGear's expert panel of judges recognized the IONIQ 5 N's commitment to delivering maximum excitement behind the wheel, making it the standout choice for the past 12 months.
According to Paul Horrell, TopGear writer and Car of the Year Juror, Hyundai's engineers succeeded in making the IONIQ 5 N feel like a dynamic petrol car while harnessing the advantages of an electric vehicle's digital capabilities. The car's extensive set of adjustable parameters and its surprising performance on both road and track impressed the judges, setting a new standard for electric cars.
Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company, expressed pride in achieving the goal of delivering a high level of driving passion with the IONIQ 5 N. This recognition follows Hyundai N's success in 2021 when the i20 N received the Top Gear Car of the Year honor.
The IONIQ 5 N boasts key technical advances, including a potent powertrain with enhanced battery cooling and braking performance. Its electric motors can achieve up to 650 PS with the N Grin Boost (NGB) engaged, propelling the car from 0 to 62mph in a mere 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 161mph on tracks.
Technical upgrades contribute to a memorable driving experience, featuring an Electronic Controlled Suspension, a strengthened steering column for improved feedback, and intelligent software functions like N Pedal for exhilarating cornering. The IONIQ 5 N sets a new standard for emotional engagement with features like N e-shift, simulating the dual-clutch transmission of internal combustion engine N cars, and N Active Sound+, providing a compelling soundtrack that accentuates the EV's power.
With order books now open, the IONIQ 5 N is available at a starting price of £65,000. This latest award from TopGear.com adds to Hyundai's growing list of accolades, underscoring the brand's commitment to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry.
