Driving Report Hyundai Ioniq 6N: First Track Lap with the Taycan Competitor

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The 2.1-ton all-wheel-drive Hyundai Ioniq 6 N sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 257 km/h. This is made possible by 448 kW of continuous power and a temporary 478 kW in boost. The price of around 77,000 euros seems like a good deal given what is offered. For comparison, a similarly performing Porsche Taycan GTS is listed at 148,800 euros, which still includes a long list of paid options. At Hyundai, there are only two or three extras that are charged separately. The two models are similar in their body concept. Both are four-door sedans; the Taycan is, of course, slightly larger. We had the opportunity to drive the sedan a few laps on the track.

Improved cooling of battery and electrical systems

The Ioniq 6 N, almost five meters long, has a wheelbase of almost three meters, so there is plenty of space inside. Externally, however, the Hyundai polarizes more than we are used to from the South Koreans. Not everyone likes the aerodynamic candy shape, and in the N version, it is additionally garnished with a black area running up the rear, a gooseneck rear spoiler, and fender flares. With so much adornment, one might think the car is primarily designed for show. But Manfred Harrer, head of Hyundai's performance department, clarifies: "Our focus was on real track driving." Driving on a racetrack involves special conditions. For example, it requires particularly strong cooling of the battery and the electrical system.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6N (10 Bilder)

The Ioniq 6 N naturally has this, tested on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. But here too, Manfred Harrer puts the image of electric sports cars into perspective: "Having a lot of power is not a problem these days. It's much more about durability, brakes, and cornering behavior." Specifically, for the Ioniq 6 N, this means, among other things: generously dimensioned brake discs for high consistency and different response characteristics depending on the selected driving mode, which is a real advantage during radical acceleration. The deceleration is brutal on request, but finely controllable and gives the driver confidence. Speaking of deceleration: depending on the selected mode, recuperation already generates a deceleration of up to 0.6 g – you can feel the pressure of the seatbelts just by lifting off the accelerator.

Balanced chassis tuning

The chassis, which actually has little in common with the base version, has been radically changed compared to the civilian Ioniq 6 – if only because the suspension points have been repositioned and electronically controlled performance dampers are used. At the same time, these measures also lowered the vehicle's center of gravity – even more so than in the sister model Ionic 5 N. The result is handling that is simply astonishing. On bumpy country roads, it irons out potholes and ensures comfortable travel. On the race track, however, it allows hardly any body roll. When driving over curbs at high speed, the Hyundai absorbs the jolting frequency with incredible precision. The fact that the car is driven by all four wheels, with a bias towards the rear axle, and that a sensitively working torque vectoring distributes the total 770 Nm of torque ensures phenomenal turn-in and turn-out behavior in corners. This gives the driver a lot of confidence in the vehicle.

Unnecessary arcade mode

Up to this point, the 4.93-meter-long Ioniq 6 N is primarily one thing: a fast car. But unlike others – for example, the Taycan – it is also a fun car. This is ensured by electronic systems that turn the car into a kind of racing Xbox. If desired, you can play a roaring soundscape through the sound module. It's good that it can be turned off; otherwise, it could become a bit annoying eventually. "N e-Shift" can optionally enhance the impression of sitting in an internal combustion engine car. The completely unnecessary virtual shifting via steering wheel paddles is intended to give drivers who wish for it a better driving feel – a bit comparable to an arcade mode in a high-class racing simulation.

The N-Track Manager included in the infotainment system, on the other hand, will make the hearts of serious track enthusiasts beat faster. For example, there is a Ghost Car on the display that visualizes on the racetrack whether you are driving better or worse than before. There is also a wealth of drift parameters with which even amateurs can achieve breathtaking and, above all, safe drifts. And even though the around 77,000 euros are not a small amount: from now on, under-30s have a dream sports car that brings their world from the Xbox to the road. A closely related alternative from the same group is the recently tested, brilliantly driving Kia EV6 GT. It impressively showed how much performance, even in an electric car, correlates with consumption.

(vbr)