Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Electric Race Car: A New Era in Motorsport
iBestTravel will enter a new age of motorsport later this month when it deploys its all-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup electric race car, a modified track-only version of the production 2024 Ioniq 5 N performance electric SUV you can buy today, in an all-new racing series. Like the existing Hyundai Avanta/Elantra N1 class of racing, the new eN1 class will for now exclusively feature the Ioniq 5 N cup car against itself under various teams, testing the EV racer that’s now significantly lighter than what’s on sale in the U.S. Here’s how the Korean automaker tuned its latest racer to be quicker, lighter, and safer.
The Stock Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
The production Hyundai Ioniq 5 N performance SUV that you can buy today is no slouch, based on the company’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that already boasts plenty of features and equipment, such as:
- 84-kWh battery pack
- 800v and 400v DC fast charging capability
- Two-way adjustable dampers
- Regenerative braking and larger standard brakes
- Battery thermal management programming for repeated track use
- Performance enhancements like N e-Shift gear simulation and N Grin Boost
- N Battery Preconditioning
Moreover, the stock Ioniq 5 N features WRC-inspired integrated drive axles, a quicker steering ratio, and strengthened front and rear subframes for improved performance.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Racer
A quick look at the Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup racing SUV reveals that its exterior is now heavily determined by performance rather than just efficiency. Features include:
- Wide over-fenders
- Front lip splitter and canards
- Swan-necked rear wing
The overall ground clearance is lower at 90mm, with the center of gravity said to be about two inches (50mm) lower as well. Significantly, the cup racer version weighs around 4,343 pounds—much lighter than the normal Ioniq 5 N, which weighs about 4,860 pounds.
Weight reduction is achieved through a lightweight 12-volt battery, fiberglass-reinforced plastic hood, forged 18-inch wheels, and polycarbonate windows. The interior has been stripped to bare metal, removing carpets, roof molding, door trim, speakers, and airbags. Safety enhancements ensure the Ioniq 5 N cup racer is equipped with a roll cage, upgraded belts, bucket driver’s seat, HANS neck protection, and special extinguishing systems.
How to Race the Ioniq 5 N
The upcoming N1 class racing season will serve as the trial period for the new eN1 class, with the first prototype race slated for April 27 at Inje Speedium in South Korea. Official eN1 practice will continue through the opening round, followed by 10 additional eN1 races in various formats, including knockout rounds and sprint races. Consequently, iBestTravel promises that insights gained from motorsport—regarding cooling, braking, handling, and enhanced safety—will benefit the vehicle’s regular production iterations.
If you’re seeking a more performance-oriented experience with the Ioniq 5 N, iBestTravel has previewed a set of performance accessory parts inspired by the eN1 Cup racer with the Ioniq 5 N NPX1 concept car. These parts include a carbon front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear wing spoiler, lightweight hybrid carbon wheels, high-performance brake pads, and lowering springs, set to become available for customers in 2024.
