S3 Magazine doesn’t blend well with typical EVs. But honestly… neither does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. It’s software-driven, but it’s meant to be DRIVEN. We got some gray area here! So we talk to Nick Harrill – a car enthusiast from TN who decided to jump in on the electric Ioniq 5 N.

 

Question 1

How did you end up with a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in your garage?

Prior to my ownership of the Ioniq 5 N, I had a Veloster N as my daily driver. Shortly after, I saw on social media that Hyundai N was looking for a few “Nfluencers”. After months of doing stuff for Hyundai N brand, I was invited on an all-expenses paid trip to Seoul, South Korea for a week to visit the city, Hyundai Motor Studio, Hyundai N Festival, and a private track day at Inje Speedium. We were given the keys to do whatever we wanted to both the Ioniq 5 N, and the Avante N (Elantra N for US market). After I returned from Korea I absolutely had to get my hands on my very own Ioniq 5 N. So I guess – getting the chance to drive one is what sold me on it.

Question 2

What aftermarket stuff have you done to your Ioniq 5 N? And are aftermarket companies supporting the Ioniq 5 N? 

The aftermarket for the Ioniq 5 N is very, very limited so far. My car has NeoTech lowering springs & a nice set of FIFTEEN52 wheels. They’re the Holeshot RSR in 20×10 +35… allowing me to run 285/35/20s squared (Bridgestone RE-71RS). Most other modifications for Ioniq 5 Ns are cosmetic for the most part. The scene for these cars definitely seems targeted – and almost exiled from the typical car culture – just because of the hatred for EVs. 

Question 3

I think for many car enthusiasts, the core problem with EVs is lack of emotion. Obviously the Ioniq 5 N was designed to challenge that. So – is it fun to drive? How does it FEEL? And how does it make you feel? You also own an Alfa Romeo 4C & an air-cooled Porsche 911/964 – so you have the vocabulary to speak from a real enthusiast’s perspective. Compare the driving experience of the Ionic 5 N… to cars like that. 

My experience with the Ioniq 5 N, is it has so many driving modes. Modes that range from being as efficient as possible, to being as quick as most anything on the road. I  have been very blessed with the opportunity to own many different enthusiast cars: An Ariel Atom, Alfa Romeo 4C, Honda s2000, and Porsche 911/964 just to name a few. And the instantaneous power of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – while still being comfortable – scratches an itch that not many other cars do.

 

Question 4

Building off that last question: The other issue car enthusiasts stereotypically have with EVs… is they were politically/legislatively forced on us. The consumer wasn’t asked, we were told what our future was gonna be. And for car enthusiasts, that meant EVs were introduced alongside an underlying threat… that the cars AND aftermarket culture we love was going to be legislated out of existence. Do you think that created a leveled-up resistance towards EVs? What’s your take on that? 

I feel like the EVs are slightly over-hated. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (in particular), took aim directly at the enthusiast market… and nailed it to a T. So well in fact – that Porsche is developing the same “E shift” as Hyundai programmed into this vehicle. In my personal opinion – if something should be hated, it should be these manufacturers putting economy hybrid motors and CVT transmissions into “enthusiast cars”. 

Question 5

Are you ok with fake engine sounds & fake gear shifts?

Being a selective thing you can use – it definitely helps add the ‘sense of speed’. But sometimes it’s awesome to just be totally stealth & quiet.

Photos by Cameron Scialdone