Hyundai Teases Ioniq 6 N Performance Again
Last month, Hyundai began the teaser campaign for its upcoming Ioniq 6 N, a performance-focused electric sedan in the same vein as the Ioniq 5 N crossover. Only it won’t be quite the same as the Ioniq 5 N, says Hyundai. The Korean automaker has teased the sedan once more, announcing that it will be revealed on July 10 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and revealing that significant changes under the skin will set the Ioniq 6 N apart from its taller sibling. There are three major points of interest to discuss, along with a short teaser video (embedded at the bottom of this article), so let’s get started.
Fully Redesigned Suspension Geometry
Hyundai
Much of the speculation surrounding the Ioniq 6 N had centered around the idea that this will be little more than an Ioniq 5 N with a new body sitting on top of it. While the Ioniq 5 N would make a fine foundation for a new performance EV, the Ioniq 6 N is not pasting everything it’s copied from the crossover. With a lower ride height, the Ioniq 6 N has unique suspension geometry with a lower roll center and enlarged caster trail (the distance between the point where the steering axis intersects the ground and the center of the tire’s contact patch). This, says Hyundai, should improve the on-center steering feel and self-centering behavior, as well as result in more feedback through the wheel. Finally, new electronically controlled stroke sensing dampers promise to offer the Goldilocks balance between comfort and precision.
Better Simulated Shifts And Sounds
Hyundai
Hyundai also touts “advanced” N e-shift technology that is now available in every drive mode. This is a big deal because, as many a reviewer has bemoaned, the Ioniq 5 N can’t provide simulated shifts when in its drift mode, so this change could make the Ioniq 6 N even more fun to drive. Hyundai says the new system will closely mimic motorsport-inspired close gear ratios, and the addition of a new ‘N Ambient Shift Light’ should further enhance engagement with the car. The sounds in the teaser clip below also seem to be inspired more by a naturally aspirated engine than a turbocharged one, so everything about the Ioniq 6 N should be just a little more exciting than it is in the 5 N.
Even Happier To Drift Than The 5 N
Related: Hyundai’s N Division Isn’t Done With Gas-Powered Cars
The last piece of information provided by Hyundai is that the N Drift Optimizer, or drift mode, has been enhanced with a broader range of customization options that promise tailored control based on skill level. It sounds to us a lot like the 10-stage traction control system in a BMW M4 or the eight-stage system in the Aston Martin Vantage. In a nutshell, the Ioniq 6 N will be even more thrilling to drive than the Ioniq 5 N, and that’s a car almost universally regarded as the most enjoyable EV on the market. See you in a week for more.