South Korea car maker Hyundai has officially launched and priced its latest performance EV – the Ioniq 6 N – which it says is first ever car from the brand, electric or fossil, that has been equipped with “full wings” to keep it stable on and off the track.
The Ioniq 6 N is now able to be ordered at a single variant price of $115,000 before on roads, with some changes depending on the chosen colour, and a free sunroof “delete”, which might be advisable if the owner thinks they will want to spend a lot of time wearing a helmet on the track.
The N series is a critical part of Hyundai’s plans to help its loyal customers – and others – make the transition from petrol and diesel options to full electric drivetrains. Now is the right time: the company says one in five buying queries in Australia have been focused on its electric lineup, particularly since Middle East war caused fuel prices to surge.
The Ioniq 6 electric sedan distinguished itself at its launch a few years ago by NOT looking like a Hyundai, and featured interesting lines that might not have been out of place in late 20th century Italian sports cars.
It quickly found a niche and has sold more than 1,200 units in Australia to date. Now the Ioniq 6 has been upgraded as an “ultra-high performance” vehicle, complete with a full “swan-neck rear wing” – Hyundai says it is the first of its cars to have one – and even elective engine noises.
“The Ioniq 6 N is the latest expression of Hyundai’s commitment to raising the bar in high performance EVs,” said Hyundai Australia’s chief operating officer Gavin Donaldson.
He says it brings together “exhilarating agility, driver engagement and everyday practicality in a compelling sports sedan.”
The importance of the performance model is reflected in its experience with the highly regarded Ioniq 5, its electric SUV, which sold 3,375 units from 2022 to 2026.
Since the launch of its own N version in 2024, nearly one in five sales have been for the performance version: The standard Ioniq 5 has sold 1,364 units, with the Ioniq 5 N attracting 308 buyers.
Hyundai says the N series has a “three pillar” philosophy that it divides into Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportswear. It has required significant upgrades on the standard Ioniq 6 offering.
These include wide fenders and other aerodynamic additions that deliver a relatively low 0.274 co-efficient of drag. Body rigidity is optimised through additional weld points, increased application of structural adhesives, and additional reinforcements.
It also features an advanced braking system, intelligent controls to support both daily driving and track use, while maximising energy recovery.
Inside the cabin are N lightweight sports seats, an exclusive N Pasubio steering wheel featuring customisable N1/N2 buttons, N-exclusive metal pedals, and an N knee support pad.
The Ioniq 6 produces 478kW and 770Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds (using N Launch Control). It features an 84 kWh battery that delivers WLTP range of 487 km.
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.