Hyundai N Pushes IONIQ 5 N to Extreme Limits in Arctic Circle Winter Testing

Hyundai Motor Company recently revealed details about the extreme winter testing of IONIQ 5 N, the first high-performance, mass-production all-electric N brand model at the Hyundai Mobis Proving ground in Arjeplog, Sweden. The location is adjacent to the Arctic Circle, offering automakers everything they need for comprehensive winter testing, such as low-grip coefficient icy surfaces and deep sub-zero temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F).

This allows Hyundai N engineers to test new models, such as the IONIQ 5 N, in the most extreme low friction conditions to achieve the optimal balance between the car’s responsive ‘fun-to-drive’ character and its ability to perform safely and predictably in sub-zero conditions.

Hyundai has combined the EV’s Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with N’s motorsport-bred technologies and expertise to raise the bar for electrified high performance and set the stage for what is sure to become the true driving enthusiast’s choice for a year-round performance EV.

According to Till Wartenberg, Vice President of N Brand Management & Motorsport sub-division at Hyundai Motor Company, “just as our N models are honed at the sharp corners of the Nürburgring, our N models are also honed at the sharp corners and icy surfaces of our proving ground in Arjeplog, ensuring maximum performance in the most extreme winter conditions.”

N brand’s electrification strategy began in 2015 with the establishment of its vision of a sustainable future for the next generation of driving enthusiasts by showing the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo. N’s electrification strategy began with the RM20e prototype and Veloster N ETCR race car. Last year, N brand introduced the RN22e, a rolling lab designed to communicate a transfer of N’s electrification experience to the brand’s first production EV, IONIQ 5 N, slated for launch later this year.

IONIQ 5 N’s corner-carving capability is further bolstered by the N Drift Optimizer, which integrates front and rear torque distribution, torque rate, suspension stiffness, steering effort and the e-LSD (electronic-Limited Slip Differential) system to create a driving mode dedicated for drifting.

With e-LSD specifically tuned for IONIQ 5 N, the electronic control unit monitors input from wheel sensors to accurately identify when a certain wheel needs extra torque to enhance overall vehicle grip. That means e-LSD improves handling during cornering and high-speed driving on the racetrack as well as during adverse driving conditions, such as slick ice and deep snow.

In addition, IONIQ 5 N uses N Torque Distribution that is optimized for different drive modes, allowing the driver to select the torque level to both front and rear wheels. N Torque Distribution and e-LSD work together to distribute power to all four wheels in varying ratios and are specifically designed to quickly respond to the instantaneous and seamless power delivery inherent in EVs – even in extreme low-friction conditions like those found in Arjeplog.

Overall, the Hyundai Mobis Proving ground in Arjeplog is an ideal location for winter testing, offering a unique set of low-friction and icy conditions that enable the IONIQ 5 N to perform safely and predictably. Hyundai has combined the EV’s Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with N’s motorsport-bred technologies and expertise to raise the bar for electrified high performance and set the stage for what is sure to become the true driving enthusiast’s choice for a year-round performance EV.