Hyundai RN22e Offers a Close to-Time period Preview of Upcoming N Division EV Tech

Hyundai not too long ago unveiled two forward-looking EV concepts that present a have a look at efficiency within the electrical period: the fuel-cell-powered hybrid N Imaginative and prescient 74 and the absolutely electrical RN22e. Whereas the previous seems to be additional out into the long run, the RN22e is way nearer to the zero-emission efficiency vehicles the corporate’s N division will quickly be promoting. Our expertise driving the RN22e on a monitor supplied a preview of the powertrain within the upcoming Ioniq 5 N, garnished with some extra intriguing tech.

Though formally a expertise demonstrating idea, you need not look too onerous to see the manufacturing automobile that lurks throughout the RN22e. Beneath the scoops, spoilers, and widened bodywork, that is the upcoming Ioniq 6 sedan. Like the existing Ioniq 5, it sits on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform with its superior 800-volt structure, and though the high-output all-wheel-drive powertrain goes to make its debut within the N model of the Ioniq 5, we anticipate it will not be lengthy earlier than an Ioniq 6 model follows.

We have already skilled one other model of the brand new driveline within the spectacular Kia EV6 GT that we drove in Europe final month. The RN22e options the identical 77.4-kWh battery pack, and Hyundai quotes the identical 430-kW (577-hp) peak output and as much as 546 pound-feet of torque. The corporate’s engineers confirmed that the RN22e shares its motors with the Kia, with the rear motor utilizing a dual-stage inverter that options silicon carbide semiconductors. The massive {hardware} distinction for the Hyundai is a twin-clutch rear differential that may ship as much as 100% of the rear motor’s output to both aspect.

The RN22e retains the dashboard structure of each the Ioniq 5 and 6, with twin digital show screens and local weather controls with restful blue backlighting. However a lot of the inside has been comprehensively stripped out, together with the carpets, and a large roll cage and tight-fitting bucket seats have been fitted. A motorsport rim replaces the airbag-equipped steering wheel, with drive and reverse chosen through a rotary stalk. Regardless of the drivetrain’s apparent lack of gearing, there are nonetheless up and down paddles behind the steering wheel, and these do not simply management regeneration ranges.

Our expertise within the RN22e was restricted to a quick stint on a part of the Bilster Berg circuit close to Paderborn, Germany, that is constructed on the positioning of a former Chilly Battle munitions depot. Herman Tilke designed the monitor, which makes use of the topography of its location to create some savage elevation adjustments, with many nook apexes hidden by crests. Accelerative efficiency feels similar to that of the EV6 GT. Hyundai hasn’t quoted any official figures, however the RN22e feels not less than as potent because the Kia and its claimed 60-mph time of three.5 seconds. However it’s quickly clear the RN22e has considerably extra lateral grip and likewise feels lighter and extra lithe within the corners.

A lot of the adhesion was likely all the way down to the prototype’s track-biased Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. However the ease with which the RN22e’s cornering angle could possibly be tucked and tweaked was additionally proof of the cleverness of its all-wheel-drive system, which might differ torque throughout the rear axle to assist the automobile flip and dig in. Even when pushed to the very fringe of adhesion on a few of Bilster Berg’s sooner corners it felt impressively secure. Hyundai’s govt technical adviser—and former R&D boss—Albert Biermann says one of many venture’s targets is to permit manufacturing N EVs to lap the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife at full pace with out efficiency deteriorating.

The RN22e has two new features to expertise. The primary is an aggressive sound system, which makes use of audio system to create an engine-like noise each inside and outdoors the automobile and which additionally provides some buzzing vibration by the seat base. Though this was extra convincing than the sci-fi soundtracks created by another automakers, it was nonetheless considerably distracting on the monitor given the shortage of any gearchanges.

That is the place the second system is available in: Hyundai engineers seek advice from it because the digital gearshift, and it brings the steering wheel paddles into use. As soon as the system is switched on, the audio system begin to simulate the sound of rising revs, in the end bringing the automobile to a simulated rev limiter if the motive force would not “upshift” to the subsequent ratio in time. This felt clearly foolish, but additionally type of enjoyable. Though the system continues to be beneath growth, Hyundai engineers say they plan to combine it with a tachometer show and upshift lights and likewise to mannequin the ability traits of a combustion engine at totally different speeds to simulate the consequences of short-shifting or upshifting early. It is likely to be even ludicrous sufficient to catch on.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is our EV of the Year for 2022, with that deserved victory underwritten by each its trendy design and powerful array of rational virtues. To evaluate from the RN22e, the soon-to-arrive N model of the Ioniq 5 goes so as to add a good bit of loopy to that blend.