FX.co ★ Hyundai IONIQ 5 N To Compete At Pikes Peak Hill Climb On June 23

Hyundai Motor Co. has announced that its fully-equipped IONIQ 5 N electric SUV will compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on June 23, 2024. The vehicle will be vying for the Electric Production SUV/Crossover record at the event.

Moreover, this South Korean automaker plans to introduce a uniquely altered IONIQ 5 N, which will participate in the PPIHC before making its appearance at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring on May 30.

PPIHC, also known as The Race to the Clouds, is a historic automobile event that involves climbing to the summit of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dating back to 1916, this invite-only event is the second oldest race in America.

In the 102nd edition of the PPIHC, two IONIQ 5 N vehicles, each boasting 641 horsepower, will attempt to break the Electric Production SUV/Crossover record as part of a four-car team. The lineup includes Paul Dallenbach, an eleven-time PPIHC champion, and Ron Zaras, a novice to the event.

Furthermore, the modified IONIQ 5 N cars will be handled by Dani Sordo and Robin Shute. Shute holds the title of King of the Mountain title holder at Pikes Peak and is a four-time overall winner, while Sordo is a Spanish driver for Hyundai Motorsport at the World Rally Championship.

Hyundai is also preparing a standard IONIQ 5 N with minor modifications for Pikes Peak. The company intends to introduce a visually striking Hyundai N livery, replacing the current red paintwork, in the future.

Hyundai chose the IONIQ 5 N for the PPIHC Electric Production SUV/Crossover record because of its racetrack capabilities, which are a hallmark of every N performance vehicle. The IONIQ 5 N has undergone testing in severe conditions and has been specifically developed at the Nurburgring Nordschleife for increased racetrack capability.

"We are returning to the mountain stronger than we left it, with a class-leading electric SUV in the form of IONIQ 5 N," said Till Wartenberg, the head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Co. He further stated that Hyundai has consistently demonstrated new technologies and products at Pikes Peak since 1992, and the IONIQ 5 N continues this tradition in the field of high-performance electric cars. According to him, the production-specific IONIQ 5 N exemplifies what customers can anticipate from their vehicles.