Hyundai set to debut ambitious high-performance electric sedan. Will the Ioniq 6 N make a big statement?
Hyundai Motor North America is producing some of the most competitive electric vehicles on the market. Between the Ioniq 5, 6, and 9 models, the South Korean automaker has something for families of all sizes. Additionally, the brand has been working on developing more performance-oriented models.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has garnered plenty of attention due to its impressive specs. It has racetrack capability, according to Hyundai. Now, the automaker is preparing to debut an even more ambitious project: a high-performance electric sedan.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N will "disrupt the high-performance EV segment to deliver exciting driving experiences" said Joon Park, Vice President and Head of Hyundai's N Management Group. The company aims to build on the momentum created by the shock and awe of the Ioniq 5 N's incredible performance.
Though Hyundai is keeping plenty of details regarding the new electric vehicle under wraps, there are several clues about its performance and appearance that auto enthusiasts can derive from the Ioniq 5 N.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N starts at $66,200. It produces a whopping 641 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. The high-performance EV accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds according to testing by MotorTrend.
The Ioniq 6 N will boast impressive performance specs, taking cues from its larger cousin, the Ioniq 5 N. Furthermore, the 6 N will be a lighter vehicle as a sedan, so it could be quicker than the larger Ioniq 5 N SUV.
Expect the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N to feature a bold exterior styling with N-badging and performance parts including tires and brakes. The Ioniq 6 N is also likely to have a significantly higher starting price than the base model. Hyundai's 2025 Ioniq 6 electric sedan starts at $37,850 and tops out at $51,100 for the Limited final configuration.
The 2025 Ioniq 5 Limited costs $54,300 compared to the Ioniq 5 N's $66,200-sticker price. If there is a similar price difference of $11,900 between Limited and N trims for the Ioniq 6, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N could cost around $63,000, making it slightly more affordable than the larger Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. A starting price north of $60K is hardly considered affordable to the average driver, even compared to rising new car prices (nearly $50,000 according to CNBC). That said, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is anything but average.
Hyundai's upcoming high-performance EV is more than just a niche performance trim to fill a gap in the company's portfolio, it's a statement. Hyundai is proving that it can produce more than just practical all-around electric vehicles like the base Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 models. It has nailed the basics based on several awards for its EV nameplates. Now, the South Korean automaker is aiming to earn style points, and target market share once dominated by Tesla's performance models.
Electric vehicles were once considered impractical. Today, automakers are proving these vehicles can function as daily drivers and even track-ready performance models, capable of breaking acceleration records. Hyundai is helping to change the narrative surrounding EVs from inconvenient and lackluster to capable and exciting with models like the Ioniq 6 N.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Hyundai's Ioniq 6 N disrupt the EV game? Here's what to know
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease US tariff woes
Asia's fourth largest economy South Korea is facing gruelling tariffs by US President Donald Trump, but its shipbuilding industry could prove a useful bargaining chip. Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25 percent country-specific tariff that has been suspended until July 8. AFP takes a look at what's going on: - Why shipbuilding? - In the 1970s, South Korea's military leader president Park Chung-hee accelerated the country's heavy industry, designating sectors such as steel and shipbuilding "strategically important" and rolling out state subsidies. At the same time, POSCO was founded -- now one of the world's largest steel producers -- and conglomerate Hyundai built its shipyard in southeastern Ulsan, which started to grow rapidly. European rivals struggled to keep pace. Sweden's Kockums Shipyard filed for bankruptcy in 1987 -- and in a symbolic shift of global shipbuilding power, Hyundai acquired its 140-metre (460-foot) Goliath crane for one dollar. It now towers over southern Ulsan. In the 1990s and 2000s, South Korean shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries ramped up investment in research and development, backed by generous government subsidies. The country secured a competitive edge in high-value-added vessels, including LNG carriers, very large crude carriers, and offshore platforms. Now, South Korea ranks as the world's second-largest shipbuilding nation, trailing only behind China. - Is it important? - South Korea's exports hit a record high in 2024, with analysts pointing to shipbuilding as one of the key drivers. The sector accounted for nearly four percent of total exports and grew by almost 20 percent from the previous year -- reaching $25.6 billion. Shipbuilding directly employs around 120,000 workers -- roughly one percent of the country's total workforce -- with indirect employment significantly higher in industrial hubs like Ulsan. Industry data shows so far this year, new orders have exceeded 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion). In March, Hanwha Ocean secured a landmark $1.6 billion contract to build LNG carriers for Taiwan's Evergreen Marine, one of the largest single orders in the sector this year. - Why is it a 'bargaining chip'? - Trump has showed "significant interest in South Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation," said South Korea's trade, industry and energy minister Ahn Duk-geun in April. Like the Europeans, the US shipbuilding industry has lagged behind South Korea and China, and as a result, the sector is seen as a "highly important bargaining chip in trade negotiations," he added. At an APEC finance ministers' meeting in South Korea in May, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai, the country's largest shipbuilder, before he met Seoul's top officials. "South Korea's shipbuilding and defence industries see a window of opportunity," said Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University. - How does it help the US? - Greer also met with the CEO of Hanwha Ocean, the first non-American company authorised to carry out a dry-dock maintenance of a US Navy vessel. The move last September was seen as significant as it signalled that Washington sees South Korea, where it already has 28,000 US troops stationed, as a strategic defence hub. With worries growing about China's expanding naval fleet and potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the US has begun seeking reliable overseas shipyards to support its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The global market for ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul is projected to exceed $60 billion annually, according to industry estimates. - Any problems? - Despite multi-billion-dollar contracts, data suggests South Korea's shipbuilding industry is losing ground in the global race. China dominates with South Korea's market share dropping, according to industry data. Demand for eco-friendly vessels is rising, and the government need to overhaul regulations "to support the development of next-generation eco-friendly vessels," Rhee Shin-hyung, a professor at Seoul National University, told AFP. South Korea's woeful demographics also make staffing hard. In Geoje -– home to Samsung Heavy Industries -– the number of residents in their 20s and 30s has nearly halved in recent years. Orders are down in 2025 which hints that "the shipbuilding boom may end sooner than the market anticipated," warned Rhee. Global ship orders between January and April fell by almost half the volume recorded during the same period last year. Shipbuilders have been enjoying a "supercycle" but unfortunately the "peak is expected to be lower and the boom shorter-lived compared to the past," Nam Chul, vice president at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, told AFP. hs/ceb/ecl
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
South Korea counts on shipbuilding to ease US tariff woes
Asia's fourth largest economy South Korea is facing gruelling tariffs by US President Donald Trump, but its shipbuilding industry could prove a useful bargaining chip. Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25 percent country-specific tariff that has been suspended until July 8. AFP takes a look at what's going on: - Why shipbuilding? - In the 1970s, South Korea's military leader president Park Chung-hee accelerated the country's heavy industry, designating sectors such as steel and shipbuilding "strategically important" and rolling out state subsidies. At the same time, POSCO was founded -- now one of the world's largest steel producers -- and conglomerate Hyundai built its shipyard in southeastern Ulsan, which started to grow rapidly. European rivals struggled to keep pace. Sweden's Kockums Shipyard filed for bankruptcy in 1987 -- and in a symbolic shift of global shipbuilding power, Hyundai acquired its 140-metre (460-foot) Goliath crane for one dollar. It now towers over southern Ulsan. In the 1990s and 2000s, South Korean shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries ramped up investment in research and development, backed by generous government subsidies. The country secured a competitive edge in high-value-added vessels, including LNG carriers, very large crude carriers, and offshore platforms. Now, South Korea ranks as the world's second-largest shipbuilding nation, trailing only behind China. - Is it important? - South Korea's exports hit a record high in 2024, with analysts pointing to shipbuilding as one of the key drivers. The sector accounted for nearly four percent of total exports and grew by almost 20 percent from the previous year -- reaching $25.6 billion. Shipbuilding directly employs around 120,000 workers -- roughly one percent of the country's total workforce -- with indirect employment significantly higher in industrial hubs like Ulsan. Industry data shows so far this year, new orders have exceeded 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion). In March, Hanwha Ocean secured a landmark $1.6 billion contract to build LNG carriers for Taiwan's Evergreen Marine, one of the largest single orders in the sector this year. - Why is it a 'bargaining chip'? - Trump has showed "significant interest in South Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation," said South Korea's trade, industry and energy minister Ahn Duk-geun in April. Like the Europeans, the US shipbuilding industry has lagged behind South Korea and China, and as a result, the sector is seen as a "highly important bargaining chip in trade negotiations," he added. At an APEC finance ministers' meeting in South Korea in May, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai, the country's largest shipbuilder, before he met Seoul's top officials. "South Korea's shipbuilding and defence industries see a window of opportunity," said Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University. - How does it help the US? - Greer also met with the CEO of Hanwha Ocean, the first non-American company authorised to carry out a dry-dock maintenance of a US Navy vessel. The move last September was seen as significant as it signalled that Washington sees South Korea, where it already has 28,000 US troops stationed, as a strategic defence hub. With worries growing about China's expanding naval fleet and potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the US has begun seeking reliable overseas shipyards to support its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The global market for ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul is projected to exceed $60 billion annually, according to industry estimates. - Any problems? - Despite multi-billion-dollar contracts, data suggests South Korea's shipbuilding industry is losing ground in the global race. China dominates with South Korea's market share dropping, according to industry data. Demand for eco-friendly vessels is rising, and the government need to overhaul regulations "to support the development of next-generation eco-friendly vessels," Rhee Shin-hyung, a professor at Seoul National University, told AFP. South Korea's woeful demographics also make staffing hard. In Geoje -– home to Samsung Heavy Industries -– the number of residents in their 20s and 30s has nearly halved in recent years. Orders are down in 2025 which hints that "the shipbuilding boom may end sooner than the market anticipated," warned Rhee. Global ship orders between January and April fell by almost half the volume recorded during the same period last year. Shipbuilders have been enjoying a "supercycle" but unfortunately the "peak is expected to be lower and the boom shorter-lived compared to the past," Nam Chul, vice president at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, told AFP. hs/ceb/ecl
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Hyundai establishes directly-owned distributor in Malaysia
Hyundai Motor Company announced that it has established a new subsidiary in Malaysia, giving the South Korean brand a direct presence in South-east Asia's second-largest market. The new company, Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMM) – headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, will effectively take over as Hyundai's distributor in the country from local conglomerate Sime Darby, while continuing to use the company's dealer network. Sime Darby's automotive division, Sime Darby Motors, has vehicle distribution and dealer operations across the Asia-Pacific region, for brands such as BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Ford, Land Rover, Porsche, Suzuki and Mitsubishi. It also has a majority-owned contract assembler, Inokom Corporation, located in Malaysia's Kedah State. Hyundai confirmed that the new company will assume full responsibility in Malaysia for the brand's 'marketing, sales and customer experience, with a dedicated local team empowered to make faster, market-relevant decisions and deliver a more connected, customer-first approach. This is underpinned by deeper market commitment, enhanced customer engagement and a renewed focus on innovation and long-term growth.' HMM will allow Hyundai to 'actively expand its dedicated Malaysian team, laying the foundation for a robust nationwide dealer network.' The new company is expected to employ around 100 people by the end of the year. Jeffrey Gan, managing director of Sime Darby Motors, said in a statement: "We are proud to have played a pivotal role in Hyundai's growth in Malaysia. As Hyundai embarks on its next phase, we remain committed to supporting its sales and aftersales operations, ensuring continuity, confidence, and a seamless service experience for existing and future Hyundai customers.' Hyundai's vehicles are currently assembled locally by Inokom, at its facility in Kedah State. The South Korean automaker is currently building a new MYR 2.2 billion (US$ 520 million) vehicle production plant in Kedah in collaboration with Inokom, which is expected to become operational in the third quarter of 2025. Hyundai confirmed that it plans to launch three new SUV and MPV models in Malaysia in the near future. "Hyundai establishes directly-owned distributor in Malaysia" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
