Hyundai first hinted at the prospect of a high-performance Ioniq 6 just weeks after unveiling the standard electric sedan in mid-2022. However, we have reason to believe the next production version won’t be as eye-catching as the RN22e concept. A new spy video captured at the Nürburgring shows the sleek four-door EV wearing “Don’t just drive” camouflage.
English: It doesn’t look as powerful as the RN22e as it lacks the concept’s prominent rear fenders. That said, it could still be a bit wider than the standard model. After all, the Ioniq 5 N is slightly wider than the lower trims. There are some changes up front where the test mule appears to have split headlights. Logic tells us the spicy N derivative will be based on the updated Ioniq 6. It wouldn’t make sense to adopt the split headlight theme just for the N model. We think any curvy electric sedan would have that. The main headlights appear to be lower in the bumper, beneath what could be a wide LED light bar. If so, that would mimic the layout used by the latest Sonata.
While the prototype has side cameras, they are only legal in certain parts of the world. Elsewhere, the Ioniq 6 N will have traditional side mirrors. The camouflage used for the rear wing is pointless as we can see the large aerodynamic element attached to the trunk lid. The standard car is already a looker, but the N version should be an even more eye-catching sedan.
The car hides large air intakes at the front, where the bumper is slightly more pronounced than the regular Ioniq 6. Hyundai has probably reworked the rear bumper as well, but it doesn’t appear to have the large diffuser that the RN22e has. That’s probably for the better as it would be overkill for a production car.
As expected, the prototype rides low to the ground thanks to a stiffer suspension setup. We also see chunky brake calipers in red and the N logo hidden behind the black wheels. Given the lower center of gravity compared to the Ioniq 5 N, its sedan sibling should handle better on the track.
Technical specifications are still a mystery, but Hyundai will likely adopt the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup from its sporty electric crossover. The Ioniq 5 N packs 641 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque, enough to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. That higher-end model tips the scales at 4,861 pounds, but the sedan version could be a bit lighter considering the regular Ioniq 6 is slightly lighter than the equivalent Ioniq 5.
There are rumors that it will have more power, but nothing is official at this time. The 84 kWh battery pack allows for a range of 221 miles on the Ioniq 5 N. However, the sleeker sedan shape could give the Ioniq 6 N a longer range. When compared to the regular versions of both EVs, the sedan has a slight edge over the crossover in terms of range.
Given that the car has only just entered the Green Hell, Hyundai's first all-electric sedan likely won't make its debut until late 2025. It's unclear whether its official launch will coincide with the regular model's facelift, or whether the N will arrive a little later.
