Make no mistake, electric cars can be fun and exhilarating. That’s not a groundbreaking statement, but it’s important to keep that in mind as we’re continuously inundated with news of new electric cars taking over ICE-dominated marquees. One such electric car is Hyundai’s latest N car, the Ioniq 6 N AKA here as the RN22e.
Hyundai’s N division has been unrelenting in its efforts to bridge the gap between enjoyment and electrification. And it seems as though they’ve done it. The RN22e is the latest addition to the division’s Rolling Lab. At a glance, the RN22e is an all-wheel-drive, twin-motor sports sedan (no rear seats or rear door handle, so more of a coupe with a sedan shape) capable of producing 430 kW and 730 N.m.
Delving deeper, the Rn22e is built on the three fundamental pillars of the N division —Namely, Corner Rascal, Race Track Capability, and Everyday Sports Car— the RN22e is positioned as Hyundai N’s electric halo car.
In terms of its ability to tackle corners, the RN22e is assisted by the e-TVTC system (electronic Torque Vectoring by Twin Clutch), which evenly distributes power between its front and rear motors. In addition to the e-TVTC system, drivers can customize the power and torque figures of each motor, allowing you to drift this AWD sports car.
Like most N cars, the RN22e is ready to hit the track whenever you need it. Reduced weight with added rigidity, a result of the car’s utilisation of lightweight 3D printed parts, echoes the “race car” idea. Moreover, the car rides on a 3-way adjustable suspension setup coupled with 400mm hybrid discs with a four-piston monoblock calliper on the front and a single pot calliper on the rear. Unsurprisingly the car is outfitted with a regenerative braking system.
Under extreme driving conditions, the RN22e relies on its tack-optimized cooling system purposed for reducing heat derating in the motor and battery.
A textbook Jekyll and Hyde as the RN22e is a track weapon, but a tamed and capable everyday sports car. Based on Hyundai N’s E-GMP platform allows for a lower centre of gravity (aiding its track capabilities) as well as the ability to house high-speed charging infrastructure increasing the car’s maximum driving range.
Alongside its impressive performance figures are its quality of life innovations mainly the N e-shift and N Sound + systems meant to enhance the driving experience allowing for more emotional interaction.
Production will likely begin sometime next year however, a physical example of the RN22e is on display in Korea. A video posted by CarSceneKorea gives a detailed walk-around of the car.
