The Goodwood festival of speed is on and with that multiple brands are launching new EV models at the iconic event in the UK, with the hope that they will gel with potential future buyers.
Polestar has displayed two new prototypes, the 3 and the 5, while Hyundai has also rolled out the “N” performance version of its highly regarded and award winning Ioniq 5 electric SUV.
“We love showing our latest prototypes to the public at Goodwood. With production now starting in the first quarter of 2024, it’s time for Polestar 3 to take its first-ever run up the famous Hill,” Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath said in a statement.
“The SUV for the electric age looks fantastic and will be an exceptional car to own. The latest Polestar 5 verification prototype is here, too. Developed in the UK, Goodwood is like home turf for our electric 4-door GT.”
The variants on display were:
- Polestar 3 electric SUV, with a 380 kW powertrain
- Polestar 5 prototype with 650 kW powertrain
- Polestar 2 BST edition
The Polestar 3 is also expected to be popping up in Polestar Spaces in the coming months.
The next key showcase was by Hyundai, which unveiled the performance-orientated Ioniq 5 N performance edition. The “N” vehicles are traditionally the performance variants of Hyundai’s ICE vehicles that are offered globally.
As the brand works through its ambitious EV transition plans, it makes sense for the N variants of its all-electric models to head in that direction as well.
This model was first teased last month at the Nürburgring track in Germany before being fully showcased at Goodwood this week.
With its performance focus, the N edition offers up to 478 kW of power. The tuned version of the car is thanks to various changes to the powertrain setup.
To put this power down, there is a battery precondition function on the car that has two modes, “Drag” mode and a “Track” mode. In the “Drag” mode, maximum power is delivered meanwhile the “Track” mode, the car is set for endurance to do more laps in the right conditions.
“Starting with Ioniq 5 N, the N brand aims to deliver N’s signature fun driving experience regardless of petrol, electric or hydrogen,” said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai.
The performance of this version is showcased with the numbers. 0-100 km/h sprint can be achieved in just 3.4 seconds. It can also achieve top speeds of up to 260 km when on the track.
On top of that, the battery pack is also upgraded to now feature 84 kWh capacity. That’s up from the 77 kWh pack offered on the standard cars.
It’s good to see performance variants of these vehicles making their way to appeal to a broader motorsport-oriented crowd. This hopefully showcases that EVs can not only keep up but outperform ICE vehicles that have traditionally dominated the motorsports scene.
Ioniq 5 N edition specifications
| Specifications | IONIQ 5 N | |
| Motor output | Front | 166 kW / 226 PS |
| Rear | 282 kW / 383 PS | |
| Total output | 448 kW / 609 PS | |
| Boost output | 478 kW / 650 PS
(Front: 175 kW, 238 PS / Rear: 303 kW, 412 PS) |
|
| Battery | Capacity | 84 kWh |
| Charging | Charge Speed | 350 kW |
| Charge time | 10% to 80% in 18 minutes | |
| Dimension | Length | 4,715 mm |
| Width | 1,940 mm | |
| Height | 1,585 mm | |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | |
| Tyres | Pirelli P-Zero 275/35R21 | |
| Braking system | Front | 4 piston 400 mm |
| Rear | 1 piston 360 mm | |
| Regenerative braking | Deceleration | 0.6 G (0.2 G during ABS activation) |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 3.4 sec (N Grin Boost) | |
| Top speed | 260 Km/h | |
| Range | To be announced at regional market launch | |
| Exterior colours | Performance Blue Matte, Performance Blue, Abyss Black Pearl, Cyber Gray Metallic, Ecotronic Gray Matte, Ecotronic Gray , Atlas White Matte, Atlas White, Gravity Gold Matte and Soultronic Orange Pearl | |
| Interior colour | Black with Performance Blue accents | |
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.