Hyundai’s N division built simulated gearshifts into an electric crossover. We took it to a circuit to find out whether that is a gimmick or a genuine answer.
The short answer
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a 641 hp electric performance crossover with simulated eight-speed gearshifts and a track-capable cooling system. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and holds full power for roughly two circuit laps before thermal derating begins.
Key Takeaways
641 hp with N Grin Boost engaged; 609 hp continuously.
Simulated eight-speed shifts with matched torque cuts — not just sound.
0–100 km/h in 3.4 seconds on a warm battery.
Two hard circuit laps at full power before derating, three with pre-conditioning.
Real-world range drops to about 290 km with enthusiastic driving.
The Gearbox That Does Not Exist
N e-Shift simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch, complete with torque interruptions at each upshift. On paper that is theatre. In practice it gives your inputs a rhythm, and rhythm is most of what makes a fast car learnable.
What the Cooling System Buys You
Hyundai’s engineers over-specified the thermal management, and it shows. Two laps of hard driving at full power, three if you pre-condition the battery, before the car begins to protect itself. That is not endurance-racing capability, but it is more than most electric performance cars manage.
The Cost of the Fun
Range is the price. Our test loop returned 290 km against a 448 km WLTP claim, and a track session will empty the battery in under 40 minutes. The 800V architecture makes recovery quick, but you plan your day around charging in a way you would not with a petrol equivalent.
The simulated shifts are not a gimmick. They give you something to time your inputs against, and that changes how quickly you learn a circuit.
Arjun Rao
Technical Specifications
Motors
Dual motor, all-wheel drive
Power
641 hp with N Grin Boost
Torque
770 Nm
Battery
84 kWh usable
0–100 km/h
3.4 seconds
Claimed range
448 km WLTP
Tested range
290 km, enthusiastic driving
Charging
10–80% in 18 minutes at 350 kW
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1Does the Ioniq 5 N work as a daily car?
Yes. In its softest setting it rides better than most performance SUVs and the 800V charging makes long trips genuinely practical.
Q2Do the fake gearshifts get annoying?
They are switchable. We left them on for track driving and off in traffic.
Q3How many laps can it do before slowing down?
Two hard laps at full power from cold, three with battery pre-conditioning enabled.
Arjun covers electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and the software that increasingly defines how a car drives. He built our real-world range test protocol.
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