The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup car has been revealed in the lead-up to the Hyundai N Festival motorsports event, signalling "a new era in sustainable racing".
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Based on the Ioniq 5 N electric performance car, the circuit version will form the basis of a new eN1 class at the Hyundai N Festival, allowing teams to participate in a one-make electric motorsports division.
While the powertrain and battery system are effectively carried over from the road-going version, the Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup picks up a number of upgrades and enhancements for dedicated track use.
Key changes include slick tyres, a redesigned body kit with over-fenders, wider tracks, increased downforce from more aggressive lips and wings, as well as the removal of "unnecessary components" to save weight.
Forged wheels are wrapped in slick tyres, the bonnet has been lightened with new materials and the windows are now polycarbonate.
Each race team will be able to develop their own sounds for the N Active Sound system, which Hyundai says has been "differentiated and amplified" compared to the street version.
Rounding out the track-themed upgrades include "essential safety elements, such as roll cages, racing bucket seats and seat belts", as well as fire extinguishers "exclusively for electric fires, asphyxiation fire extinguishers and modified charge port location".
All of these changes are meant to ensure better track performance and "high durability" for "intensive circuit driving".
Like the series production model, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup makes a total of 478kW from its 166kW front and 282kW rear electric motors, and features an 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The eN1 racing class is somewhat aligned with the existing N1 class Hyundai supports with the Avante (Elantra) N1. According to the Korean brand, the new eN1 class will "operate under open regulations so that teams can compete with various tire products without being restricted to a single manufacturer".
Hyundai has sponsored and organised various racing competitions in the Korean domestic market for over 20 years, starting with the Hyundai Click Speed Festival and Korea Speed Festival. Today, the Hyundai N Festival is the largest one-make race series for professional athletes in Korea.
"Similar to the existing Avante (Elantra) N1 class, the eN1 class is exclusively for professional athletes and is a race-only vehicle that cannot be driven on public roads," Hyundai says in its media release, "the 'e' in eN1 refers to the electrification of the race class, highlighting Hyundai Motor's commitment to sustainable racing."
"The eN1 Cup car will be tested and improved through the harsh motorsport environment in the Proto stage. This season will also provide an opportunity for race teams, drivers, and marshals to learn about and develop the EV racing competition.
"Additionally, charging-related infrastructure, fire response measures and emergency response will be further developed during this trial season."
The opening round of the Hyundai N Festival will kick off at Inje Speedium on April 27. Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 N eN1 series will debut for its first official practice during this opening round, followed by 10 races in the fifth round
Competition formats will vary, including one-on-one knockout races as well as traditional sprint races, which Hyundai says will allow "for a comprehensive understanding, and testing of various EV racing methods".
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
