Porsche Taycan-fighting Hyundai Ioniq 6 N debuts at Festival of Speed

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N has made its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with 641bhp and the likes of the Porsche Taycan GTS and Tesla Model 3 Performance firmly in its sights.

Underpinned by the same 84kWh battery and dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup as its sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N hatch, the Ioniq 6 N manages the 0-62mph run in 3.2 seconds, has a top speed of 160mph, and produces a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ-shaming 568lb ft of torque. Like the 5 N, Hyundai’s super saloon also comes with a simulated engine note and gearbox complete with upshifts and downshifts to provide a more immersive driver experience.

Hyundai says it has improved the 6 N’s virtual engine sound and reduced energy loss. The interior lighting also corresponds with to the shift light on the customisable driver display, and drivers can enjoy features such as N Launch Control, N Drift Optimiser, N Grin Boost, and N Torque Distribution.

The electric motors are almost infinitely adjustable and provide highly-advanced torque vectoring, improved stability, and better traction from a standing start. Further drive modes include N Track Manager for on-track activities, while N Drift Optimiser turns the car into a drift machine.

With its second all-electric N car, Hyundai has sought to better the Ioniq 6 N’s dynamics. The suspension geometry and chassis have been completely redesigned to handle the car’s 2,220kg weight, while electronically controlled dampers adjust depending on the road surface. Like the 5 N, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N has been widened over the standard car and gets a dedicated aero kit complete with flared wheel arches and a swan neck rear wing. In addition to underlining the Ioniq 6 N’s sporting credentials, the wing and wheelarches contribute to improved balance and stability at higher speeds.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N reflects the streamliner design of the standard car. It also benefits from its updated front end with narrower running lights and a generally tidier appearance than its predecessor. However, the N is marked by an aggressive black grille, a black bottom quarter, and a fully blacked out rear complete with the Ioniq line’s signature pixellated brake lights. As a reminder that this is an N model, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N gets red a red stripe running completely around the car and matching brake callipers. Open the boot, and there’s a red strut brace on display.

Step inside the Ioniq 6 N, and it’s not much different to the regular version. Look closer, and the red ‘NGB’ (‘N Grin Boost’) rocker on the steering wheel, the ‘N’ buttons beneath it, and the sporty graphics on the infotainment and driver display are indicative of the car’s firepower. While Hyundai hasn’t reverted fully back to an analogue cockpit, the Ioniq 6 N does get physical buttons for the radio, the heated seats, the electric windows and functions such as the parking brake and reverse camera.

Like the Ioniq 5 N, the bigger car comes with black alcantara sports seats with stitching in the N division’s signature pale blue, plus a three spoke N-branded steering wheel. Hyundai has yet to confirm, but given the 5 N starts from £65,000 the Ioniq 6 N is expected to be priced from around £70,000.