What strikes you instantly about Hyundai’s RN22e ‘rolling lab’ idea is its sheer dimension greater than anything.
Stretching virtually 5.0 metres lengthy and practically 2.0 metres large, this ground-hugging, full-tilt EV is a high-performance, monster-size model of the model’s upcoming Ioniq 6 all-electric sedan.
It’s not the primary time we’ve seen this prototype in motion, both. Earlier this yr at Hyundai’s Namyang proving facility in South Korea we noticed it testing, whereas solely a pair months in the past CarExpert’s Paul Maric additionally drove it in Germany (video under) after a comparatively deep dive into the know-how.
Nonetheless, that is the primary Aussie drive, and what higher circuit than The Bend in South Australia (West Circuit) to place the RN22e via its paces, however over simply 4 laps.
The bonus was that N-guru and chief architect of N sub-brand, Albert Biermann, together with Until Wartenberg; Vice President N Model and Motorsport, had been additionally available at The Bend to supply extra depth into this distinctive EV.
It’s a crucially vital prototype for Hyundai, because the carmaker ramps up its transition away from constructing inside combustion-engined vehicles to battery-electric automobiles, together with its performance-badged N fashions.
Apparently, whereas Until Wartenberg is adamant its ‘N division will proceed to construct extra inexpensive ICE variations of its i30 Sedan N (Elantra in different markets) into the next-generation given the legions of followers who already personal such automobiles, the transfer to real high-performance electrical N automobiles is already nicely underneath method with the highly-anticipated Ioniq 5 N – slated for a late-2023 launch.
And, whereas nobody at Hyundai will neither verify or deny an Ioniq 6 N is within the making, it’s just about a certain guess it will likely be the second such all-electric performance-grade automobile constructed on the E-GMP platform that may observe its Ioniq 5 N crossover sibling – proper right down to the dual-motor, 77.4kWh battery set-up.
Even with the transfer to full electrification, Hyundai N remains to be chasing its authentic model declare of ‘By no means simply drive’, and the efficiency arm’s three pillars: nook rascal; racetrack functionality straight out of the field; and on a regular basis sports activities automobile.
That mantra and people pillars stay basic to the continued growth of the RN22e and certainly the forthcoming Ioniq 5 N, which remains to be just a few months away from getting closing sign-off earlier than going into sequence manufacturing.
Certainly, as a ‘rolling lab’ it’s a testbed for a bunch of recent performance-enhancing applied sciences distinctive to its EVs; equivalent to torque vectoring by twin clutches and 3D-printed elements that each decrease weight whereas sustaining chassis rigidity within the pursuits of ‘nook carving’ alone.
Relating to racetrack readiness, the RN22e focuses on superior cooling options and efficiency braking for sustained laps on observe. Moreover, the automobile is testing regen braking that controls yaw and cornering masses.
And whereas there are many naysayers greater than able to painting EVs as the start of the tip of efficiency vehicles, a minimum of so far as the emotional driving expertise goes, the RN22e can be a testbed for N Sound+ – a know-how that appears to generate a selection of synthetic sounds reflecting totally different characters or moods via each exterior and inside audio system.
Probably the most attention-grabbing options in growth on the RN22e is a digital gearbox dubbed N e-shift, which simulates paddle-shifting on a present ICE-powered Hyundai N automobile geared up with a dual-clutch transmission, by combining vibrations and shift really feel with N Sound+.
How a lot does the Hyundai RN22e (Ioniq 6 N) price?
There’s nonetheless a number of fine-tuning to do earlier than Hyundai indicators off on the Ioniq 5 N or yet-to-be-confirmed Ioniq 6 N.
Given we already know sister model Kia’s EV6 GT rocket ship will put on a price ticket round $100,000, patrons ought to count on to be paying much more for the track-ready Ioniq 5 N when it launches domestically in late 2023.
It’s massive bucks for the Korean manufacturers, particularly given the Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency – which Hyundai used as a efficiency benchmark for the Ioniq 5 N – is priced from $96,700 plus on-road prices right here in Australia.
What’s the Hyundai RN22e (Ioniq 6 N) like on the within?
Whereas the twin screens and even the instrument stalks appear like they’ve been lifted straight out of an Ioniq 6, the RN22e is set-up for fast-paced observe work solely.
The idea’s cabin incorporates options equivalent to a security cage, racing bucket seats with harnesses, and the identical sort of detachable Alcantara steering wheel you’d discover in race automobile full with paddle-shifters.
Nonetheless, it gained’t be too lengthy earlier than we begin seeing inside pics emerge of the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which is bound to supply a window into what we are able to count on to see in an N model of the Ioniq 6.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Like every high-performance EV, the Hyundai RN22e employs two electrical motors – one on the entrance axle and one on the rear.
The entrance motor generates 160kW whereas the rear makes 270kW. Mixed, they generate 430kW of energy and 740Nm of torque.
The battery pack gives 77.4kWh of capability and 400V/800V charging structure for high-speed DC charging, AC charging and V2L performance.
It’s able to hitting 260km/h – sooner even than BMW’s flagship iX M60 (250km/h) – because of the automobile’s electrical motors which have the next most rpm. Hyundai elevated the restrict from 15,000rpm to over 20,000rpm.
Cooling is a giant concern for electrical motors that spin at such excessive speeds, and it’s an space Hyundai has labored on tirelessly with RN22e. It’s not simply the in depth cooling ducts and intakes seen on the automobile, a few of which have made it onto the Ioniq 5 N, however total warmth administration has been improved significantly.
Examined on the 20.8km Nürburgring Nordschleife, the RN22e may barely handle a single lap within the early levels of growth, whereas Albert Biermann says it’s now able to finishing shut to 3 laps at race speeds. It’s spectacular stuff.
How does the Hyundai RN22e (Ioniq 6 N) drive?
Even simply sitting in pit lane at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, it’s an intimidating automobile, the RN22. It’s big in each method, with intakes all-over and a giant rear wing as well.
There’s a deep, demonic hum because the automobile sits idle inside and outside, however you possibly can’t inform the place its coming from – it simply appears to radiate throughout with a faint burble that will get louder as you draw back and onto the observe correct.
We’re on the West Circuit – a 3.41km size observe that features the whole straightaway together with 12 corners. It’s a comparatively easy-to-learn course and nowhere close to as technical because the longer and extra demanding East Circuit.
Thoughts, I’ve simply pushed greater than 40 laps in quite a lot of Hyundai’s N vehicles; together with the light-weight and guide solely i20 N, together with a few i30 Ns together with the newest limited-edition Drive-N – my new all-time favorite hatch – so I’m assured of having the ability to push the prototype round right here at a decent tempo with out worrying in regards to the reality there’s solely two on the planet.
We’ve received 4 laps in complete, so two flying and one cooldown, the primary two in customary EV mode, and the ultimate two utilizing the simulated N e-shift mode through the paddles.
Right here’s the factor; with Hyundai’s wildly profitable N-Fest in full swing on the identical observe, we’ve received some visitors, however whereas we are able to overtake different drivers they’re not speculated to move the EV. That’s a rule that wasn’t all the time adopted and that is certainly one of solely two R22e prototypes in existence.
It feels good behind the wheel and it’s straightforward to discover a snug driving place. It’s additionally quick whenever you put the boot in, however nothing just like the Porsche Taycan Turbo S we examined right here a few years in the past.
I simply thought it will be sooner whenever you put the hammer down correct, however then once more, the Taycan makes upwards of 560kW of energy and 1050Nm of torque and may smash the 0-100km/h dash in 2.468 seconds. However it’s additionally more likely to be thrice the worth of Ioniq 5 N or Ioniq 6 N, and we all know N vehicles aren’t about velocity alone. Nook carving and driver really feel is what the N model is all about.
Nonetheless, the RN22e is a simple automobile to steer at tempo and push via the corners, whereas nowhere close to as intimidating because it appears. You possibly can move an i30N being pushed nicely at will, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not a very involving expertise to me.
The brakes, although, are past good. I’m hitting the 400mm hybrid stoppers on the 180m braking mark, and that’s method too early for this factor – there’s numerous regen at work right here whenever you come off the throttle that helps wipe off buckets of velocity.
Subsequent time round I transfer the braking level to only 150 metres whereas nudging greater than 200km/h and even that feels a tad too early, nevertheless it’s a giant, heavy machine that suggestions the scales at round 2.2 tonnes. You possibly can really feel the burden shift on turn-in too, so it’s straightforward to run large and miss the apex if you happen to mess up the braking.
The steering, although, is superbly exact and correct with good weighting. I most likely may very well be pushing a bit tougher, however the engineer using shotgun appears happy not be a passenger in one other tank-slapping incident that I witnessed earlier with one other driver. In any case, that is certainly one of solely two examples on the planet, so that you wouldn’t need to bin it.
Third lap in and he provides me the sign to tug each paddles concurrently to have interaction the N e-shift system. That is what I discover most fascinating and distinctive to Hyundai as far as I’m conscious.
It feels and sounds such as you’re correctly banging via the gears for actual, proper as much as the redline; however as a substitute of operating out of revs and banging on the rev limiter, it simply runs out of steam. That’s going to be mounted, in keeping with Biermann.
“We’re nonetheless engaged on that, however sure, each simulated gear shift will embrace the noise and really feel of reaching the rev-limiter, simply as you get in certainly one of our ICE N vehicles with DCT,” he mentioned.
Apart from that perform, it’s as actual as if you happen to had been rowing via the gears on an ICE automobile and subsequently extra enjoyable to drive than in the usual EV mode with out the paddle-shifters. However, there’s nonetheless not sufficient audible character to excite – a minimum of whenever you’re on the transfer – like BMW has developed for its i4 M50 and iX M60 fashions, which manages to be emotionally participating to the motive force.
Little question that may come quickly sufficient, and one of many Ioniq 5 N’s cool options within the months of growth time remaining with the RN22e. In actual fact, Biermann has already mentioned drivers won’t solely be capable of not solely choose between a number of sound characters units, but additionally create and writer their very own set of sounds and even obtain new sounds ‘over the air’.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai RN22e (Ioniq 6 N)
4 laps isn’t practically sufficient time behind the wheel to get to know the RN22e correctly, sadly.
However, it’s greater than sufficient to counsel Hyundai is aware of the best way to create a high-performance EV able to delivering the identical sort of emotional attraction as its present line-up of inexpensive, track-ready combustion-engined N vehicles do.
Clearly there’s nonetheless loads of work to be performed to deliver all of it collectively within the EV house, however given simply how shut they’re with the RN22e, we are able to’t wait to get behind the wheel of the upcoming Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N.
If the idea is something to go by, they’re seemingly going to be a cracking first go at electrical N vehicles.
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MORE: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N teasedMORE: Hyundai RN22e revealed
