MIAS 2024: Hyundai PH goes high performance with Ioniq 5, Elantra N

Order books now open for Elantra N and Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai Motor Philippines has been busy launching family vehicles left and right, but now they are out to prove their high-performance models are also worthy of getting a proper recognition.

Making its debut at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show are the Hyundai Elantra N and the all-electric Ioniq 5 N, signaling the arrival of the high-performance Hyundai N brand in the country.

Starting with the former, the Elantra N measures 4676 mm long, 1826 mm wide, 1415 mm and a wheelbase of 2720 mm. The Elantra N sizes up as a sport compact sedan, with dimensions close to the Honda Civic RS, and the GAC Empow.

Fresh from its regional debut at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show, the Hyundai Elantra N features more aggressive styling than the standard model to highlight its high-performance nature, with slimmer headlights and a redesigned front grille. The exterior also features the N-exclusive red trim running along the bottom of the vehicle.

Other changes include a revised front bumper with wider air intakes for better engine cooling, while the rear of the car gets a fixed spoiler and a redesigned bumper that houses the dual exhaust pipes. Lastly, the updated Elantra N comes with sporty 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

Aside from the exterior aesthetic enhancements, the Elantra N’s chassis gets reinforced strut mounts, increased body rigidity, stiffer sway bars, and comes with an independent multi-link rear suspension with adjustable toe and camber instead of the Elantra's standard torsion beam setup.

Inside, the Elantra N gets performance bucket seats as standard, and a different steering wheel design than the standard model.

Under the hood, the Elantra N is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 276 PS and 392 Nm of torque. The 8-speed wet-type dual clutch transmission features the N-grin shift - which allows the engine to be overboosted to 290 PS for 20 seconds. The Elantra N puts all that horsepower and torque on the front wheels through an electronic torque-vectoring limited-slip differential.

Even with its performance-oriented nature, the Elantra N still has plenty of advanced driving assist features from its Hyundai Smartsense suite. Those include forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and intelligent cruise control.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited Ioniq 5 N is a 650 PS high-performance EV has also taken place at the Manila International Auto show. Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the N version looks sportier and more aggressive thanks to the N-exclusive add-ons such as the distinct orange accents throughout the body, aerodynamic elements, a wing-type spoiler, and unique 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires.

It gets all the expertise of Hyundai N high-performance models and its Rolling Labs to ensure it meets the divisions’ three performance pillars: ‘Corner Rascal,’ ‘Racetrack Capability’ and ‘Everyday Sportscar.’

Inside, the Ioniq 5 N gets a distinct leather steering wheel with a darker hue, paddle shifters, a pair of digital displays that serve as the instrument cluster/touchscreen media system, and Alcantara sport bucket seats with bulkier bolsters.

Powering the Ioniq 5 N a pair of electric motors that drive each axle - making it an all-wheel drive hatchback. The two motors give a total system output of 650 PS on N Grin Shift mode, which allows the EV to sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in around 3.4 seconds. Keep your foot down, and the Ioniq 5 N will reach a top speed of 260 km/h.

But more importantly, the Ioniq 5 N has a neat trick called the N Active Sound+ and N e-Shift, which mimics the exhaust sounds of a traditional ICE through the car's speakers, along with a sophisticated transmission program that simulates the shift behavior of a manual gearbox. This increases driver involvement - something that enthusiasts are missing when switching to EVs.

Hyundai Motor Philippines has opened the order books for both of its high-performance N models. The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N retails for PHP 2,738,000, while the Ioniq 5 N sells for PHP 4,250,000.

Catch the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the Elantra N, as well as its racing version, the Elantra N TCR, together with the rest of Hyundai’s model lineup at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show from April 4 to 7.