The Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Car (Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.)
SEOUL, Apr. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Ahead of the 2024 season opener for South Korea’s largest single-make racing event, the Hyundai N Festival, Hyundai Motor Company unveiled its high-performance Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Car during an official practice round held on March 30 at the Inje Speedium racetrack in Inje County, Gangwon Province.
The Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Car is based on the Ioniq 5 N electric performance vehicle but has undergone extensive modifications to enhance its racetrack capabilities.
It features dual front and rear motors generating close to 650 horsepower together, paired with an 84.0-kilowatt-hour high-output battery utilizing advanced electrification technologies.
To prepare the Ioniq 5 for circuit racing, Hyundai has equipped the eN1 Cup Car with racing slick tires, a lowered and widened overfender body style, and increased wheel track width for improved handling.
An aerodynamic front lip has been added to the lower front bumper, complemented by a rear wing to boost downforce.
The Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Car (Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.)
Weight reduction measures include the removal of unnecessary components like passenger seats and floor mats, while forged wheels and a fiber-reinforced plastic hood help shed additional pounds.
The Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Car will make its competitive debut in the ‘eN1 Class’ exhibition races during the 2024 Hyundai N Festival season.
This new all-electric race category mirrors the existing ‘Avante N Cup’ (N1 Class) series, with professional drivers piloting the bespoke electric racing machines.
Five rounds comprising 10 total races are scheduled for the eN1 Class following the N Festival’s opening event on April 27.
Through this exhibition racing program, Hyundai aims to evaluate the Ioniq 5 N eN1′s performance while identifying areas for improvement across all facets of electric racing operations, including emergency response protocols, vehicle maintenance and inspection, and charging infrastructure requirements.
“With the unveiling of this dedicated electric racing car and the inauguration of the eN1 Class, Hyundai will lead the way in establishing an electric racing platform,” said a company official, adding that the automaker “will further contribute to the advancement of domestic motorsports culture and its global proliferation, including through the Hyundai N Festival.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
