Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Shocks the World with Record-Breaking Performance at Pikes Peak!

EVs are sometimes seen as the golf carts of the automotive universe, Hyundai has stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park—er, hill. The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) saw the IONIQ 5 N models go head-to-head with 156 turns of treacherous tarmac, over 1,438 meters of altitude gain, and a dash of unpredictable weather. And guess what? They didn’t just participate; they dominated!

Three’s a Charm

Hyundai Motor Company didn’t send one, not two, but THREE IONIQ 5 N models to take on the legendary Pikes Peak. The squad included two Time Attack (TA) Specs and one production model, proving that Hyundai is not messing around when it comes to EV performance.

Dani “The Speed Machine” Sordo

Dani Sordo, Hyundai’s World Rally champ, piloted one of the TA Specs to a blazing finish of 09:30.852, snagging the top spot in the exhibition class. That’s faster than your morning coffee brewing, folks!

Randy Pobst: Not Far Behind

Hot on his heels was Randy Pobst in the second TA Spec, finishing the climb in 09:55.551. That’s two sub-10-minute runs for Hyundai’s TA Specs, proving that these aren’t your average grocery-getters.

The Rookie Wonder

Ron Zaras, a Pikes Peak rookie and media personality, took the production IONIQ 5 N up the hill in a cool 10:49.267. No mods, no tricks, just pure electric power showing off what the production model can do straight out of the dealership.

A Few Tweaks Here and There

The TA Spec models weren’t completely stock, but they were pretty close. With minor software tweaks upping the rear motor output by 27 kW, high-performance shocks, motorsport-spec brakes, and some sticky Yokohama ADVAN A005 slicks, they stayed true to the production IONIQ 5 N’s spirit.

Hyundai’s High-Voltage Future

Hyundai’s N brand and motorsport division head, Till Wartenberg, is over the moon about these achievements. He sees this as just the beginning, with Hyundai’s high-performance EVs ready to exceed customer expectations and blow past competitors on the track and beyond.

Hyundai’s Legacy at Pikes Peak

This isn’t Hyundai’s first rodeo. They’ve been chasing Pikes Peak glory since 1992. From Rod Millen’s showroom stock win in a Hyundai Scoupe to Rhys Millen’s 2012 record-setting run in a Genesis Coupe, Hyundai has been carving its name into the mountain’s history for decades.

The Future is Electric (and Fast)

Hyundai N isn’t just stopping with the IONIQ 5 N. They’re pushing the envelope with models like the IONIQ 5 N eN1 Cup Car and continuing to innovate with special spec models. High-performance EVs are here to stay, and Hyundai is leading the charge.

A Bump in the Road

Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan. Paul Dallenbach was set to drive a second production IONIQ 5 N but had to withdraw due to injuries from a practice run. In pre-race testing, he clocked an impressive 10:33.86, hinting at what might have been.

So, next time someone says EVs are boring, just point them to Pikes Peak and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N. Records were broken, history was made, and the future of electric vehicles just got a whole lot more exciting.

Frank Lee DILLIGAF!