Hyundai is set to compete in the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) in the United States on June 23, with two 641-hp Ioniq 5 N vehicles, aiming to set a new record in the Electric Production SUV/Crossover category.
This entry is part of Hyundai’s broader four-car effort at the event.
Till Wartenberg, head of Hyundai’s N Brand and Motorsport, said the Ioniq 5 N represents a key advancement in electric SUVs, continuing Hyundai’s tradition of testing new technologies at Pikes Peak, Colorado since 1992.
The drivers selected for this challenge are Paul Dallenbach, an experienced competitor with eleven PPIHC victories, including an overall win in 1993, and Ron Zaras, a rookie at Pikes Peak and former Hoonigan executive, who expressed his long-standing desire to compete in this event.
Hyundai will introduce a modified version of the Ioniq 5 N at the same event before participating in the Adac Ravenol 24h Nürburgring on May 30, driven by Dani Sordo and Robin Shute, a four-time Pikes Peak champion.
The Ioniq 5 N is tailored for racetrack performance, featuring enhancements such as structural improvements, World Rally Championship-inspired drive axles, advanced thermal management, and specialised N-tuned brakes.
It undergoes rigorous testing, including sessions at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
For Pikes Peak, the vehicle has undergone minimal changes for compliance, including a new driver’s seat, six-point safety belts, the removal of rear seats, and added safety features like a roll cage and fire suppression system.
The standard version of the car, which will also compete, remains largely unaltered except for these safety updates and will soon feature a new Hyundai N livery.
