Hyundai Ioniq 6 N: 'Traditional aero' meets unconventional tech

CDN had to get its elbows out to make the front row of Hyundai's Goodwood stand, with visitors spilling out on to the grass such was the interest in the forthcoming Ioniq 6 N. 

Based on the standard Ioniq 6 (obviously) which was revealed earlier this year, the go-faster edition was given quite the build-up with various films and presentations from key Hyundai figures behind its development. One of which was Eduardo Ramirez, chief designer at Hyundai Motor Europe, who pointed out that this is a very different look to the boxier, geometric Ioniq 5 N.

"With the Ioniq 5 N, we already achieved a very exciting product with certain characteristics," he told CDN. "With the Ioniq 6 N it's a different experience because of the geometry, the proportions, the surfacing." It does feel a stark contrast to the previous N model, with much cleaner bodywork and more traditionally aero on the whole. 

"The design was done purposely to be very streamlined," Ramirez continues. "We were thinking of a single curve starting from the base of the windscreen all the way to the end of the car, to really let the air flow all the way across the body very efficiently." Clearly this has paid dividends with a Cd of 0.27 and a top speed of just under 160mph. 

Shown in typical sky blue, the 6 N does in fact get a slight evolution of the colourway with a new pearl component to the paint. Other options include Abyss Black Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Nocturne Gray Metallic, Nocturne Gray Matte and Gravity Gold Matte.

An additional flash of colour comes from the deep orange strip that wraps around the base of the car, accenting its wide stance. The rear wing also commands attention, while the pixel lighting signals that this is still an Ioniq car. "It's clear," emphasises Ramirez. "If it's an Ioniq, you will instantly recognise that pixel illumination."

Hyundai says that every detail has been designed to enhance performance (or perceived performance), from the forged 20-inch wheels that reduce turbulence to the diffuser lip at the rear which boosts downforce. The term "performance sanctuary" even came up during one presentation. 

"What makes the N model so special is the extended fenders," says Ramirez. "This is, of course, where my eyes go first. Plus the front three-quarter view with the wide fenders. You can really feel the sportiness." For CDN, an underrated element of any performance vehicle is the presentation of the brakes and the Ioniq 6 N does well to showcase its bright red four-pot calipers and dinner plate 400mm rotors. 

Much of the work goes on underneath the body, with front and rear motors offering all-wheel drive with a bias towards the rear (more on that in a moment). Total power sits at 609 PS (about 600bhp) but can be boosted to 650 PS, all coming from a hefty 84.0 kWh battery.  

Beyond straight-line performance, it promises plenty of fun in the twisties too with various electronically-controlled features including launch control, drift mode and an updated version of e-shift with new noises to replicate that of an ICE. The N Drift Optimiser, which allows drivers to tailor certain drift characteristics to their liking, was arguably what had most people talking and neatly foreshadowed the set of drift cars that soon wailed up the Goodwood track that afternoon.

Technically the third iteration of the 6 N on show, a special drift variant was part of that pack and if tyre smoke is the barometer for success, it took home gold. 

Indeed, the covers were lifted not only from one car on stage but two. The second was an Ioniq 6 N fitted with optional Performance parts and shown in matte black looked altogether more menacing than the standard version. We suspect many owners will take full advantage of what the catalogue has on offer. 

From what we could tell, this includes new wheel designs, more aggressive diffusers front and rear, and a frankly barbaric rear wing that from side profile has the feel of a Pikes Peak racer.

For an electric car to get such interest during the Festival of Speed, a celebration not only of going quickly but doing so loudly, the team at Hyundai have to be given credit. The N brand is now a decade old and although most of those models came with a combustion engine, the latest entrants are clearly carrying the torch for the brand well. 

But for all that progress with performance EVs, you still cannot rule out seeing a rotary-swapped Ioniq 6 going up the hillclimb at some point in future, such is the nature of Goodwood and its many automotive misfits who love to push the envelope — even if that means looking backwards.