Hyundai To Have N-branded Electric Vehicles In The Future

Hyundai’s recent addition to its performance-focused ‘N’ family has been the Kona N, the first SUV to bear Hyundai’s N badge. At the Kona N unveiling, the carmaker also silently confirmed that the N badge will soon make way to its electric vehicles.

This announcement isn’t much of a surprise, as Hyundai has begun its push for electrification with the launch of its IONIQ range of electric vehicles, built on the new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) platform. While details are scarce, the first model to get the ‘N’ performance treatment may most likely be the IONIQ 5. 

Currently, the IONIQ 5’s most powerful setup is a dual-motor AWD powertrain, powered by a 72.6kWh battery, putting out around 306PS and 605Nm. All this propels the EV from nought to 100kmph in just 5.2 seconds. Expect a decent performance boost if the crossover EV does get the N-branded treatment, but it might come at athe cost of range.

Back home, Hyundai may be looking at finally introducing the N-badge to the i20 with the N Line being spotted testing in the country. But keep in mind, the i20 N Line sold abroad features mostly cosmetic changes, unlike the hardcore i20 N. So it might be a while before we see a full-fledged N-branded Hyundai in India.