Hyundai Ioniq 5 N gains class victory at Pikes Peak

MANILA: Hyundai Motor Company’s Ioniq 5 N has won in the Exhibition Class at the 2024 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. 

Specifically, the car that won its class is the Ioniq 5 N TA or the time-attack version of the Korean brand’s high-performance electric vehicle (EV). 

The winning vehicle was driven by Hyundai World Rally driver Dani Sordo, who conquered the challenging hill-climb course in nine minutes and 30.852 seconds. A second Ioniq 5 N TA, meanwhile, was driven by veteran racer Randy Pobst who finished the course in nine minutes and 55.551 seconds. 

As per the carmaker, the Ioniq 5 N TA cars were developed to showcase the platform’s strengths. Its line of enhancements includes a minor software tune for a higher maximum power output, new shock absorbers, race-spec brakes, and a set of slick tires. 

The third Ioniq 5 N was piloted by automotive media personality Ron Zaras. It entered the motorsport event’s Production Sports Utility Vehicle/Crossover category, so it had no modifications. Nevertheless, the stock Ioniq 5 N finished its Pikes Peak run in ten minutes and 49.267 seconds. 

Hyundai says the aforementioned results at the American racing event demonstrate its dedication to continuing its mission to improve EV technologies. The brand likewise shared its intentions of introducing more special specifications, such as the Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup Car and the Ioniq 5 N TA, in the future. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to set a new record at Pikes Peak and our performance overall,” Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company Till Wartenberg said.

“Going forward, we plan to continue leveraging exciting motorsports activities such as Pikes Peak to showcase the superior performance of our mass-produced vehicles and continue to develop technology that not only meets customer needs but exceeds their expectations,” Wartenberg added. 

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Hyundai has challenged the 20-kilometer-long hill-climb course. In 1992, Rod Millen, with the Hyundai Scoupe, finished its Pikes Peak run with a 13-minute, 21.17-second time. The latter was followed by Rhys Millen in 2012, where he drove a Hyundai Genesis Coupe up the course to finish in nine minutes and 46.164 seconds. 

In the Philippine market, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was launched at the Manila International Auto Show 2024. It is currently available with a suggested retail price of P4.25 million. 

Photos from Hyundai

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