Hyundai Ioniq 6 N to launch in France with 650 hp

Although it has not yet left the Paris metropolitan area, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N moves along in silence until two large buttons on the steering wheel awaken its second personality. Automobile Propre drove it over 600 km to the Brands Hatch circuit in the United Kingdom: the 650-hp sedan will go on sale in France with two faces, one belonging to a road car and the other to an electric sports car.

The specifications are close to those of the Ioniq 5 N: 770 Nm, all-wheel drive and 3.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Grin Boost mode raises output to 650 hp, compared with 609 hp from the front and rear motors combined without the function. The transmission has only one forward gear, but N-Shift simulates several using the paddles, artificial sound, changes in engine speed and a fake rev limiter. The artifice remains apparent, without stopping the brain from getting caught up in the game.

On the road, the Ioniq 6 N retains the smooth operation of an electric car. It is stable on the highway, precise in corners and, on dry roads, its traction is considered exemplary. The adaptive damping limits body movements, while the steering provides a solid feel. The drawbacks are tangible: the 20-inch tires make speed bumps feel harsher, rolling and wind noise are less well controlled, and the turning circle exceeds 12.0 m. The thick battery also slightly dulls the feel of the road.

In practical terms, this Ioniq 6 N is aimed at buyers who want a single car for daily driving and track outings. Its rear seats are very spacious and its 371-liter trunk remains usable, but the semi-bucket seats become firm on the highway, rear visibility is limited and the central touchscreen lacks speed. The result is an electric sedan capable of switching character at the press of two buttons, without eliminating the compromises associated with its sporty equipment.