IONIQ 5 N Wins TopGear's 2023 Car of the Year
Hyundai's IONIQ 5 N electric hyperhatch has had a remarkable beginning, earning the prestigious Car of the Year title at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards. This impressive vehicle was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. It received widespread acclaim for its appeal to driving enthusiasts and its role as a technological blueprint for the Hyundai N division's electric vehicle future.
This high-performance model combines the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the standard IONIQ 5, the 2022 World Car of the Year, with N's motorsport-inspired technologies. This fusion takes the joy of driving to new heights, leading TopGear's expert judges to recognise it as the best Car of the past year.
Top Gear writer and Car of the Year Juror Paul Horrell praised Hyundai's engineers for making the IONIQ 5 N feel like an exciting petrol-powered car. The vehicle leverages the digital capabilities of electric vehicles to provide a wide range of adjustable parameters, delivering an unexpectedly exhilarating experience on both road and track.
The IONIQ 5 N's victory marks the second time in three years that a Hyundai N car has been awarded the Top Gear Car of the Year, following the i20 N in 2021.
Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company, expressed gratitude for the honour. They emphasised Hyundai N's commitment to delivering high-performance electric vehicles.
Key technical advancements in the IONIQ 5 N include a powertrain with impressive power output, enhanced battery cooling, and braking performance. The electric motors can rev up to 21,000 RPM, providing up to 478 kW of power when the N Grin Boost (NGB) feature is engaged. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.4 seconds, and the Car can reach a top speed of 260 km/h on tracks.
Enhancements like a reinforced steering column, Electronic Controlled Suspension, N Pedal, and fully variable front and rear N Torque Distribution ensure a memorable driving experience. The N e-shift simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, adding to the emotional engagement of this performance EV.
This award from TopGear.com adds to Hyundai's impressive list of accolades, with various models earning recognition in multiple categories over the past year, further solidifying Hyundai's position in the automotive industry.
Also worth a look: the Hyundai Creta: Matte Edition Headlines 2024 Refresh and the Hyundai Tucson.
FAQ
Q: What does the IONIQ 5 N cost in South Africa?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is expected to arrive in South Africa in 2024 with an estimated price tag of around R1,200,000 to R1,400,000, making it one of the most expensive hot hatches on the local market.
Q: How fast is the IONIQ 5 N and what's its power output?
The IONIQ 5 N delivers a whopping 478 kW when the N Grin Boost feature is engaged, rockets from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 260 kph on track.
Q: Is the IONIQ 5 N better than other electric performance cars?
TopGear's 2023 Car of the Year award suggests the IONIQ 5 N is currently the benchmark electric performance car, offering the driving excitement of a petrol hot hatch with all the tech advantages of an EV.
Q: What makes the IONIQ 5 N special compared to the regular IONIQ 5?
The N version gets motorsport-inspired upgrades including a reinforced steering column, Electronic Controlled Suspension, N Pedal system, enhanced battery cooling, and performance braking, plus those screaming 21,000 RPM electric motors.
Q: Is the IONIQ 5 N worth buying over petrol alternatives?
If you've got over R1.2 million burning a hole in your pocket and want cutting-edge electric performance that even petrolheads respect, the IONIQ 5 N delivers thrills that traditional hot hatches simply can't match.
Should You Buy It?
The best electric hot hatch money can buy in SA will likely cost you around R1,300,000, but the IONIQ 5 N is absolutely worth considering if you're serious about performance and ready to embrace the electric future. This isn't just another EV, it's a proper driver's car that happens to be electric, with 478 kW of fury and the kind of tech wizardry that makes petrol cars feel prehistoric. Yes, it's expensive, but when TopGear calls it Car of the Year, you know Hyundai has created something genuinely special that'll leave Golf R and A45 S owners questioning their life choices at the next Cars and Coffee.
