HYUNDAI

Hyundai IONIQ 6 N: the electric car that could also inspire Porsche

The name IONIQ comes from the combination of “ion” and “unique,” ​​within the IONIQ Project, Hyundai's R&D program focused on ecological mobility. In 2016, the first Hyundai IONIQ arrived, the world's first car to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric propulsion in a single body. In 2020, Hyundai transformed IONIQ into a specific brand for electric vehicles, opening a new chapter in its electrification strategy. From then on, the dedicated family of electric vehicles was launched with numerical nomenclature: even numbers for sedans and odd numbers for SUVs. Today, this line includes the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9 and their sporty variants, the 5N and 6N, where Hyundai decided to demonstrate that an electric car can also be a street car or a track car.

650 HP electric...Hyundai raises the bar for its electric range with the IONIQ 6 N: a 650 hp and 770 Nm sedan, supersonic performance for a sports sedan; a comfortable and spacious Gran Turismo with plenty of sporty DNA. Starting from the IONIQ 6 as a base, it goes through the N laboratory and transforms into something much more serious: 609 hp in normal use, 650 hp with the N Grin Boost, a top speed of 257 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds with Launch Control.

The recipe is not simply about adding more power. Hyundai adjusted the suspension geometry, lowered the roll center, installed ECS shock absorbers with new calibration, and added an electronic limited-slip differential to optimize traction. In addition, the car boasts a reinforced body, stiffer rear stabilizer bars, and a state-of-the-art braking system: 400 mm front and 360 mm rear discs, with regenerative braking of up to 0.6 g. In other words, this car not only accelerates quickly; it was also designed so that if you enjoy driving it on winding roads (or better yet, taking it to a track, as we were able to do in this international launch), it doesn't lose its composure when approaching a corner or when the pace becomes less "civilized."

And it is during these moments of sporty driving that the N line's electronics come into play. The N e-Shift simulates gear changes, the N Active Sound+ adds sound to the experience (with incredible realism), the N Torque Distribution allows torque distribution between the two axles in 11 levels, the N Drift Optimizer allows you to adjust the initiation, angle, and wheel slip, and the N Track Manager adds a timer, a ghost car, and custom tracks. It looks like a video game, yes, but that's precisely the intention: to offer layers of interaction to an electric vehicle that, by its very nature, tends to simplify everything.

Underneath this bodywork lies an 84 kWh battery and a 400/800-volt charging system. With fast direct current (DC) charging up to 350 kW, Hyundai claims that the charge reaches 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, a number that starts to seem more realistic for long trips or days on the track, without needing to stop for too long. The official range for Spain is 487 km, with a combined consumption of 21.2 kWh/100 km. It's not exactly economical, but frankly, this vehicle wasn't designed for that.

At 4.935 meters long, 1.94 meters wide, and with a generous wheelbase of 2.965 meters, the Hyundai remains, in terms of concept and proportions, a spacious sedan, not a car for weekend getaways. The Spanish specifications indicate a trunk capacity of 401 liters, a reasonable number for daily use, and the interior maintains the dual approach that Hyundai summarizes so well: sporty for those who want to explore the car's potential to the fullest and practical for those who need to live with it.

The vehicle features two 12.3-inch screens, an N steering wheel with specific N1/N2 buttons, sport seats upholstered in Alcantara and leather, heating and ventilation, N Ambient Shift Light gear shift indicator, metal pedals with sporty details, wireless charger, USB-C ports, and an elegant center console. In addition, it offers a complete suite of safety features: Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance systems, Highway Driving Assist 2, collision avoidance assist, 360° vision monitor, and Intelligent Remote Parking Assist 2.

Its exterior design is far from discreet. The large swan-neck rear wing, the 20-inch forged wheels, the Pirelli P Zero 275/35 R20 tires developed specifically for this model, and the orange details make it clear that this is not just a flashy IONIQ 6. Hyundai wanted it to have a low, wide, and imposing appearance. And it succeeded. The aerodynamics also play in its favor: a drag coefficient of 0.27, a very good value for an electric vehicle with this level of performance.

It comes very well equipped as standard: 20-inch forged wheels, high-performance and regenerative brakes, electronically controlled suspension, structural reinforcement, N sport seats, N steering wheel, N e-Shift, N Active Sound+, N Grin Boost, Hyundai 2 digital key, Vehicle-to-Load function, and OTA updates.

An interesting option is the suede package, which adds more suede to the armrests and center console, covers the steering wheel in Pasubio leather, and enhances the perceived quality of the cabin without sacrificing its sporty character. Genuine Hyundai accessories include practical everyday items: a Mode 3 charging cable, an adapter for household outlets, all-weather rubber mats, and a waterproof and non-slip trunk protector.

Sensations...Testing this type of vehicle on the road is pleasant, quiet like any electric car (until you press the N button to hear the sound, which makes you think you're driving a car with a combustion engine), full of driving aids that make you feel very safe while driving (I loved the blind spot images when changing lanes on the sides of the driver's instrument panel), but testing it on a speed and drifting circuit showed us that, despite its large size, the sporty driving experience of this large sedan is not just about aesthetics.

by Autonews