Hyundai N unveils IONIQ 5 N
TA (Time Attack) Spec at Nürburgring 24 Hours

Hyundai N returned to the Nürburgring Nordschleife, successfully claiming its fourth consecutive TCR class victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (N24) race.

At the event, the company has also unveiled its IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec variant for the upcoming The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (hereafter Pikes Peak International Hill Climb or PPIHC) and shared its collaboration plans with Gran Turismo, the popular sim-racing video game franchise made for PlayStation consoles.

“We are thrilled to return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours with drivers from Europe, North America and China, showing the growth of our motorsport program around the world,” said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company. “We are investing in the future of motorsport with our first ever electric Pikes Peak racer and collaboration with Gran Turismo. Motorsport passion continues to be at Hyundai N’s core as we move into the future.”

IONIQ 5 N TA Spec showcases award-winning high-performance EV prowess

At its N24 showcase, Hyundai Motor today unveiled the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec. Two of these specially equipped models will join two IONIQ 5 N production vehicles as part of an all-electric four-car effort at the 102^nd running of America’s legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, CO, on June 23, 2024.The team is targeting Electric Production SUV/Crossover and Electric Modified SUV/Crossover records.

The 505kW IONIQ 5 N TA Spec is designed to highlight the production-spec IONIQ 5 N’s strengths without fundamentally altering the car. Notably, the production IONIQ 5 N’s standard high-performance power electric (PE) system is carried over. The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec’s maximum output has been increased through software tuning to maximise performance. This was implemented by increasing the output of the rear motor by 27 kW.

In addition, Hyundai N has chosen to utilize N Active Sound+ with modified speakers (over 120 dB) to both enhance feedback for the driver and replace sirens typical of electric Pikes Peak race cars.

To adapt the car for Pikes Peak, new shock absorbers, motorsport-spec brakes, 18-inch Yokohama ADVAN 005 slick tires, and a unique high-downforce aerodynamic package have been specially applied. Additional safety enhancements include a Recaro Pro Racer SPA Hans seat, Sabelt six-point Hans safety harness, a PPIHC specification roll cage and an EV fire suppression system.

At PPIHC, the two IONIQ 5 N and two IONIQ 5 N TA Spec entrants will make the grueling ascent along a twisting 12.42-mile (20 km) course that climbs over 4,700 feet (1,438 metres) to the summit of Pikes Peak. They will face 156 turns, rapidly changing weather and high-altitude conditions that can affect both drivers and vehicles.

The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec models — wrapped in a special ‘N’ design livery — will be driven by Robin Shute, a four-time overall winner at Pikes Peak and current ‘King of the Mountain’ title holder, and Dani Sordo, a Spanish World Rally Championship driver for Hyundai Motorsport.

The IONIQ 5 N production models — wrapped in a special N performance color livery — will be driven by Paul Dallenbach, 11-time PPIHC winner and three-time ‘King of the Mountain,’ and Ron Zaras, a PPIHC rookie and automotive media personality.

Hyundai Motor first competed in the PPIHC in 1992. Rod Millen won the 2-Wheel Drive Showroom Stock division with a time of 13:21.17, driving a Hyundai Scoupe equipped with the company’s then-new turbocharged dual overhead camshaft Alpha engine. Another highlight of Hyundai’s history at Pikes Peak came in 2012 when the brand set a course record of 9:46.164 with a Hyundai Genesis Coupe driven by Rhys Millen.

Hyundai N plans to collaborate with Gran Turismo

Hyundai N also announced today that it plans to collaborate with Gran Turismo (GT), the popular sim-racing video game franchise made for PlayStation consoles.

Hyundai N has a long history with Gran Turismo with the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo released back in 2015. And this time, Hyundai N and Gran Turismo will collaborate again for various sim-racing activities including Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) participation. More details will come later in this year.