Hyundai Ioniq 6 N officially arrives with 650hp
The Ioniq 5N was an EV gamechanger - here's how the 6 aims to raise the bar that bit further
It says a lot that, among the million-dollar exotica and a dozen black Land Rovers, the debut of an electric Hyundai is probably the most important PH reveal of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Thanks to the amazing Ioniq 5 N, the arrival of an Ioniq 6 equivalent is really big news. Not just for EVs, not just for Hyundai; it’s a significant story for everyone interested in fast cars.
Because this is no mere rebody of an Ioniq 5. That’d make the 6 very good already, but it’s also not really the Hyundai way. While plenty is familiar - 84kWh battery, two motors, up to 650hp, top speed beyond 155mph - there’s plenty that’s been altered as well.
Even an interior that looks broadly familiar has been tweaked with the addition of N Ambient Shift Light; yep, another N tech add on. Now, when changing gear with N E-Shift, lights around the cabin will flash when approaching the limiter. And don’t pretend like you wouldn’t want at least one go with those. Hyundai believes that the ‘synchronized ambient glow transforms the cockpit into an arena where every gear change is not just felt but seen, further enhancing driver immersion.’
While the shifts carry over unchanged, the sounds will be different from 5 to 6. The N Active Sound is now N Active Sound +, with a new Acoustic Sound Processor; Ignition and Evolution are familiar, with Lightspeed now added for ‘futuristic sci-fi tones’. While the sound of the 5 N worked well in terms of responding to throttle, what you actually heard did feel quite synthetic. Hopefully it’ll be improved now. As part of a new N Drift Optimiser, which now boasts more configurability to tailor how silly the skid is, Ioniq 6 N drivers will be able to shift gears. (Previously it was only possible in the EV mode).
While the 6 is clearly a very different shape to the 5, there are some extra visual cues that would suggest it’s going to be quite different to drive. Look at the wheels, for example, fully two inches smaller in diameter than its sibling at 20 inch. Forged and unique to the N, they should provide a comfier a ride compared to a fairly strict 5. Behind the new rims sit new dampers, which now have something called stroke sensors in them; Hyundai says it means more adjustment is possible than before for ‘improved ride quality and more predictable, responsive handling’. While it’s still going to be heavy (notably kerbweight, range and efficiency haven’t been communicated yet), a lower centre of gravity for 6 compared to 5 should make for even keener, more composed cornering.
We were talked around the 6 N by Sven Risch, Senior Engineer Brakes and Chassis Controls for the car. You’d like him; he does air oversteer when talking about the 10:90 torque split of drift mode. He’s also very proud of the braking changes implemented for the 6, again with driver connection and track performance in mind. There’s now additional regen as part of the braking effort, up to 0.6g’s worth; even in the ABS, 0.35g of braking force can be provided by the motors. It gives the physical rotors a break, and helps top up the battery under hard use - such as on a track day. The brake pedal travel is 5mm longer now, the feel has been modified, and a bushing tweaked also. This is how much the details are prioritised. And look at the size of those discs - 400mm up front. Tyres are Pirelli P Zero 5s, uniquely designed for the 6 N.
Additional new bits for this Hyundai include a TPMS Custom Mode, which allows the driver to set a target tyre pressure (again you’d have to imagine with track use in mind), plus revisions to the thermal management of the battery. Now known as N Battery (of course), there’s a beefier coolant heater to reduce conditioning time; usually handy for prepping the battery ahead of charging, but now to ensure the 6 is ‘always ready to perform’. It means the preconditioning for drag races, sprint races or endurance races should happen faster.
See, not just a 5 N in a new suit. Very much not just a speedier 6 either. There’s the colour to mark it out, naturally - there’ll be a new Performance Blue Pearl, plus grey, white, black and even gold - and the spoiler, but also a proper stance to the N as well. A hard one to convey with pics, so check it out at FOS if possible; totally overhauled geometry will help the handling, but also ensures the 6N sits on its wheels really nicely.
“With Ioniq 6 N, Hyundai N aims to elevate its offerings, enticing drivers with electric powertrains that offer high-performance enthusiasts a thrilling new avenue to electrify their passion both on the road and the track,” said José Muñoz, Hyundai’s CEO and President. Typically those sorts of claims are treated with some circumspection, but given what’s been achieved with the 5 N there’s every reason to believe the 6 could raise the bar yet again. We’ll know for certain at some point in 2026.
1. It's a saloon with limited access to the boot (i.e. no hatch). Would be much better as an estate!
2. The facelift has made it look worse! The black bits just look weird.
At least it should go and stop better than the 5N though thanks to it's lower centre of gravity and smaller wheels.
Hate the black wheels and as said above they do look a little small which the dark colour probably doesn't help.
Otherwise as hot EVs go if I was in the market (and how good the 5 is) it'd make the shortlist if it wasn't crazily priced. Which it will be.
Its not beautiful, but certainly not ugly - instead I think its very interesting. Plus its not using 'in-you-face vulgarity' or 'shock-and-awe' value like BMWs designs of late.
Also love how theyve used smaller wheels, new dampers etc which makes it seem the engineering team had prioirty over the marketing and finance teams.
(Its a bit of an apples v oranges comparison but) given the choice I'd take this over the new M5.
Not convinced by the black wheels or the big spoiler. Otherwise, I quite like the styling, at least it isn't another dull electric SUV/crossover like most other things.
Also love how theyve used smaller wheels, new dampers etc which makes it seem the engineering team had prioirty over the marketing and finance teams.
but I can appreciate Hyundai's approach with this one, even if I wouldn't want one myself!It is an interesting design and IMO looks much better than BMW's recent "efforts". It's also good to see it's not a crossover or an overly bloated blob that looks like a platform shoe!
Hopefully the dampers and smaller wheels thing can become more of a trend. - Actual race cars rarely use anything bigger than an 18" wheel and to some of us, 21"s with rubber band tyres make the car look more "poser" than purposeful.
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