Hyundai hints at smaller, cheaper Ioniq N models

HYUNDAI Motor Company executive technical advisor and former head of research and development Albert Biermann has told Australian journalists gathered for the launch of the Ioniq 5 N to expect a greater range of electric N models in the near future – including a pair of smaller, more affordable hot hatches.

Speaking via video link from his home in Germany, Mr Biermann said Hyundai was working hard to expand its electric N car range, adding that both the e-GMP and forthcoming IMA platforms allowed “plenty of headroom” for both higher, and lower performing models.

“This race for the high-performance EV is just starting. We have continuously improved and enhanced our EV technology to set the pace, and we now have a very strong reference point with the Ioniq 5 N,” he stated.

“Whatever we do next will be compared with the Ioniq 5 N. But being the same (as that model) is not enough. We have to be better, even if it (is launched) only one or two years from now.”

As well as delivering one of the most technically advanced and customisable performance EVs currently available, Mr Biermann said Hyundai must not rest on its laurels, and will continue to offer “more of everything”, seemingly irrespective of a future model’s position of price point.

“We have to add more of everything, and that of course is a challenge and a burden. But it’s also the fun part. I mean, we are engineers. We cannot just ‘copy and paste’, we have to come up with something better,” he enthused.

“We (Hyundai Motor Company) give more freedom to our engineers, and the efforts placed into our N models are hard to quantify, but are perhaps two, three or four times more than for our regular cars. We put so much effort into our N cars – the whole philosophy is different.”

When asked if it were possible to deliver a smaller, rear-wheel drive hot hatch from the e-GMP platform, Mr Biermann said it was not only possible, but also something the brand is actively considering as it works to offer an alternative to the i20 N and i30 N in markets such as Europe, which have already moved to discontinue the models.

Hyundai Europe vice president of marketing Andreas-Christoph Hofmann confirmed previously that the Ioniq 2 is under development, with an Ioniq 3 also slated to join the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and forthcoming Ioniq 7 in the not too distant future.

Based on comments made by Mr Biermann at earlier N Festival events, the suggestion that the i20 N and i30 N may be replaced by Ioniq 2 N and Ioniq 3 N models respectively is one that now seems a foregone conclusion.

“Of course we would like to do that. But it is also a matter of what the platform is, and what is available. At this point in time, we can’t just make our own unique N cars (which) step away from existing platforms. That might happen someday, but it may not,” he explained.

“Utilising platforms or architecture now or in the next generation, the scope of integration (for this kind of model) is a little bit bigger. Now, we have the e-GMP platform, and the next big thing is our IMA or Integrated Modular Architecture which is based on system development, where we try to utilise systems across different platforms.

“We are intensely looking at what we have in our pocket, and how to make a fun machine from what we have. This process has been going on intensely for quite some time, because, for me, the most important thing is to come up with a smaller, more affordable electric N car.”

Hyundai Motor Company has previously said that as many as 13 new models will launch from its forthcoming Integrated Model Architecture, as well as a diversified range of battery offerings and state-of-the-art technology.

In being able to offer vehicles ranging in size from the B segment (think i20) through to E- (think Genesis G80) or M segment (think Staria) – each with the potential to feature LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate), NCM (Nickel Cobalt Magnesium), or Solid State batteries – the chances of an electric i20 N and i30 N appearing in showrooms is closer than we might think.

“We have this global fan base now of N cars in the lower price point area, and right now, we had no other choice than escaping from that price point to a higher pricing level with the Ioniq 5 N – but for good reasons,” admitted Mr Biermann.

“But of course we need a smaller segment N car, and for the rest of my term with the Hyundai Motor Group this is my absolute priority number-one: to come up with the concept for a car, or maybe two cars, that can deliver the true N experience in a more affordable segment.”