People love to complain about electric cars. This is what they argue 200 miles of range isn’t nearly enoughthey say it sounds like a washing machine and they claim they are not fun to drive. But that’s not all true, and now Hyundai is here to really silence the haters with its new Ioniq 5 N electric SUV.
It was introduced earlier today the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, the new car is Hyundai’s reimagining of the electric-era hot hatch. As such, it features a dual-motor drivetrain that puts out more than 600 horsepower, with stiffened steering and a number of aerodynamic changes to aid track performance.
After all these modifications, the new Ioniq 5 N accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 161 mph. But electric vehicles have always been able to achieve fast acceleration and a decent top speed. Hence, Hyundai has taken a few extra steps with the 5 N to win over car lovers around the world.
THE the first is the gearboxwhich the Korean automaker knows is a touchy subject for fans watching the world turn to electric power.
In most electric cars, the driver gets by with a single-speed transmission, and there’s no need for a complicated one accessories such as the clutch pedal or gear shifter. However, Hyundai knows that manual shifting helps you feel more connected to the car. As such, it comes with a simulated gearbox that ships with the Ioniq 5N.
The new technology called N E-Shift is said tosimulates an eight-speed dual clutch transmission for N-type cars with internal combustion engines.” To do this, Hyundai has devised a way to simulate gear shifting by controlling the torque of the Ioniq 5 N’s engines.
THE E-Shift simulates the push it feels like there’s a “momentary shutdown of the motors” between shifts, and Hyindai says you can even skip shifts with the new technology. All of this is to give the Ioniq 5 N a “more precise, interactive driving experience,” according to the automaker.
The simulated gearbox is accompanied by a whole host of simulated engine sounds for drivers to enjoy. Called N Active Sound+, the system emits “futuristic EV sounds” and “ICE-like engine and exhaust sounds.” As such, the system pairs with the N E-Shift function as it moves through the synthesized gears, producing all sorts of ‘pop and bang’ noises when shifting.
For this, the N Active Sound+ system includes 10 speakers, eight inside the car and two outside. All of these are capable play three different sound themesamong them to recreate the sound of N’s 2.0T engines, one of which is inspired by Hyundai’s RN22e concept, and the final “concept” sound is influenced by fighter jets.
Do you think systems like this will keep people engaged behind the wheel of electric cars, or is this a gimmick that electric cars need to attract car enthusiasts? Let us know in the comments section below.
