The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Is Going For The Pikes Peak Record*

A few weeks ago, we heard that Hyundai was planning to take on the infamous, 12.4-miles Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this June in a four-car effort helmed by Pikes Peak royalty and WRC talent, amongst others.

Now, we know what cars Hyundai will be sending up the mountain, and it won’t surprise many people to learn that it’s four examples of the Ioniq 5 N, the brand’s flagship performance electric car. What’s more, it’s going for the course record.

Well, not the overall one currently held by the ludicrous Volkswagen ID.R. Rather, Hyundai is aiming for the record in the Electric Production Crossover/SUV class. A class that currently doesn’t have a record set. Quite literally no pressure then, Hyundai.

Two largely standard 641bhp Ioniq 5 Ns will enter this rather niche class, the only changes made being some regulation safety gear and the removal of the back seats. They’ll be piloted by Paul Dallenbach, a veteran of the hillclimb with 11 class wins and an overall record in 1993 to his name, and Ron Zaras, a former executive of the Hoonigan brand who was “chosen to showcase the story of a motorsport enthusiast preparing for this massive challenge.” Do we smell a Drive To Survive-style docu-series about his preparation for the event?

In addition to the two near-standard cars, Hyundai will also be running two modified Ioniq 5 Ns, although we don’t yet know just how modified. They’ll be driven by Dani Sordo, one of Hyundai’s current squad of World Rally Championship drivers, and Robin Shute, a British driver who’s claimed four outright Pikes Peak victories. We’ll get to see the modified 5 Ns ahead of the Nürburgring 24 Hours in late May.

There’s some serious talent at play, then, as Hyundai guns for one of the lowest-stakes records Pikes Peak has ever seen. Hopefully, the full race-spec cars will see a bit more competition, not least from Ford, which is running a special version of its electric F-150 Lightning. It should be another big year for EVs on the mountain.