Hyundai mentioned Thursday it’s going to start constructing electrical autos beneath its high-performance N model created to compete with luxurious sports activities vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
The automaker mentioned the Ioniq 5 N, high-performance model of its battery-electric SUV, will launch in 2023. Hyundai additionally premiered Thursday two high-performance ideas — RN22e and N Imaginative and prescient 74 – to check know-how for future fashions. Neither idea is confirmed for manufacturing.
Hyundai shared particulars this week on its upcoming Ioniq 6 battery-electric sedan, which is designed to problem the Tesla Mannequin 3 for the gross sales crown. The Ioniq 6 will journey 610 kilometers on a totally charged battery, based mostly on the European WLTP check cycle. That’s about on par with the Mannequin 3’s Lengthy Vary model.
The RN22e idea makes use of the Ioniq 6’s physique design in addition to its Electrical-World Modular Platform (E-GMP) that allows its prolonged vary. The N Imaginative and prescient 74 idea, which pulls inspiration from each the Hyundai N 2025 Imaginative and prescient Gran Turismo and 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe idea, is a high-performance hydrogen gasoline cell hybrid mannequin.
Each are designed to showcase Hyundai’s imaginative and prescient for its future because it makes an attempt to evolve from a budget-friendly mainstream automaker to a high international luxurious EV maker. The primary two fashions within the Ioniq model – the Ioniq 5 SUV and Ioniq 6 – showcase eye-catching silhouettes and modern, luxurious interiors trimmed with sustainable supplies.
The N model was created in 2016 to determine actual efficiency credentials for Hyundai. The N stands for Germany’s famed racetrack in Nürburgring, the place Hyundai’s Technical Middle checks its N fashions. It was an uncommon technique for a mainstream model to go head-to-head with vehicles from BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Audi RS and Cadillac V-series, however Hyundai is now making clear its aspirations to go upscale and compete within the luxurious phase.
True N vehicles function low-volume halo autos. Hyundai declined to say what number of Ioniq 5 Ns it’s going to construct.