Porsche engineers are not exactly easy to impress. These are the people who spend their days perfecting GT3s and wringing every last drop of magic from flat-six engines and setting Nurburgring lap records.

So when two of the brand’s most senior engineering bosses drove the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and came away buzzing like teenagers leaving an arcade, you know something interesting is happening in the electric-car world.

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Frank Moser, Porsche’s vice president in charge of the 718 and 911 lines, admitted to Australia’s Drive that he has driven the Ioniq 5 N “several times” and called it an “eye-opening” experience.

Moser even dragged along Andreas Preuninger, the legendary head of Porsche GT cars, whose blood type is probably 98 RON premium, and definitely not amps.

From Skeptic to Convert?

Preuninger was not exactly enthusiastic at first. According to Moser, he grumbled, “I don’t want any of that electric stuff” when the idea was floated. But once they climbed inside and Moser pressed the Hyundai’s N Grin Boost button, the GT boss instantly turned into a believer.

“He was ‘wow’” Moser said, describing the moment Hyundai’s punchiest EV unleashed its full 641 hp ( 650 PS / 478 kW) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm). “We learnt a lot from that car,” Moser told Australia’s Drive. “That’s why we decided to have a deeper look.”

It was not just the acceleration that snagged Porsche’s attention. The Ioniq 5 N’s signature party tricks, including its virtual gearshifts and synthesized powertrain noises, have Porsche seriously considering similar features for its upcoming electric 718 sports car.

Can Sound Create Soul?

Hyundai calls these systems N e-shift and N Active Sound+, and they replicate the snap of a dual-clutch gearbox and offer a selection of digital engine noises (most of them pretty lame, in my experience).

It is the kind of thing EV purists roll their eyes at, but performance engineers instantly understand. It makes the car feel alive and the driver connected to the driving experience.

“This is the way,” Moser said of the synthesized features, while making clear that Porsche wouldn’t force them on drivers.

“The customer could decide if he wants to drive in complete silent mode, or he wants to be part of the game, feeling the virtual sounds of a flat six and the virtual gear shifts,” Moser said. “That would be the direction for the future.”

Tuning the Future

Our money’s on it being part of a Sport Chrono-type option package that’ll add at least $2,000 to the bill of the new electric Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman.

The first 718 EV arrives in early 2027, and Moser promises it will be “really lightweight for an electric car,” though he declined to reveal an exact or even ballpark weight figure.

One thing is clear: Hyundai has just influenced one of the world’s most respected sports-car makers. Who could have imagined that happening 20 years ago?

The Los Angeles Auto Show continues and Hyundai has used the event to introduce the US-spec Ioniq 6 N and Elantra N TCR Edition. The former originally debuted over a year ago, while the latter was introduced this summer.

Starting with the high-performance Ioniq 6 N EV, it features an 84 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 601 hp (448 kW / 609 PS). However, a boost function increases that number to 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS).

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This setup enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 3.2 seconds when using Launch Control. Drivers can also expect to hit a top speed of up to 160 mph (257 km).

Hyundai declined to reveal the car’s range, but noted the model has a 350 kW DC fast charging capability. This will enable the battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge in as little as 18 minutes.

Other highlights include a sport-tuned suspension with electronically controlled dampers and N e-Shift technology. They’re joined by N Launch Control, N Drift Optimizer, N Grin Boost, N Torque Distribution, and an N Active Sound + system.

Since we’ve already seen the model numerous times before, we’ll briefly note the car features black and red accents as well as 20-inch forged wheels. They’re joined by sportier bumpers and a rear spoiler.

Hyundai hasn’t released full details, but said the car will have a Black interior with Performance Blue accents. Buyers will also find sporty seats with Alcantara upholstery as well as leatherette bolsters. Other highlights include a unique steering wheel as well as additional physical switchgear for more intuitive operation.

The Ioniq 6 N will arrive next year and be offered in “limited quantities.” There’s no word on pricing, but the 2025 Ioniq 5 N starts at $66,200.

Elantra N TCR Edition

Speaking of yesterday’s news, Hyundai introduced the Elantra N TCR Edition. Designed for boy racers on a budget, the car has a massive carbon fiber rear wing that tells everyone you’re compensating for something. It’s joined by special badging as well as gloss black 19-inch forged wheels that are backed up by a four-piston front braking system.

The interior sports an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, shifter, and handbrake. They’re accompanied by Performance Blue seat belts, aluminum door sill plates, and unique door puddle lamps.

Hyundai didn’t mention pricing or specifications, but the model should have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 276 hp (206 kW / 280 PS) and 289 lb-ft (391 Nm) of torque. It can be connected to either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Hyundai Elantra N TCR Edition will arrive in the first quarter of 2026 as a “limited production run.” There’s no word on how many will be offered stateside, but expect it to cost more than the regular model, which begins at $35,100.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N already cuts a fierce silhouette, but for some owners, that isn’t quite enough. They want something with more of a track-day attitude. Hyundai is answering that call with a new suite of N Performance Parts, led by a swan-neck rear wing reminiscent of the Porsche 911 GT3.

The optional accessory package also includes a more prominent splitter, sharper side skirts, and a diffuser extension. All of the components are finished in exposed carbon, contrasting the red accents found on the lower part of the bodywork.

More: Hyundai’s Next Performance SUV Could Be A Hybrid Rival To RAV4 GR Sport

The larger CFRP rear wing, which can also be ordered on its own, features a double-deck design adjustable to three positions: 8°, 0°, and -8°. Depending on the angle, it produces between 265 and 305 kilograms (584–672 pounds) of downforce at 257 km/h (160 mph).

A deflector mounted beneath the car trims lift and adds another 16 kilograms (35 pounds) of downforce at top speed.

Beyond the aerodynamic pieces, the package includes 20-inch forged wheels with a 12-spoke layout, finished in either black or white. They shave 1.5 kilograms (3 pounds) from the unsprung mass compared to the standard aero wheels of the same size.

To fine-tune the exterior, owners can add a racing stripe, a Sabelt tow strap, carbon center caps, and black wheel nuts.

Inside, the upgrades extend to a steering wheel wrapped in Pasubio leather, suede armrests, carbon fiber scuff plates, and floor mats marked with N Performance branding. The company also offers Ferodo brake pads designed for both street and circuit use.

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The Ioniq 6 N draws power from dual electric motors that produce a combined 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS) and 770 Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque through the N Grin Boost function, launching it from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds. True to N division form, the EV integrates systems such as simulated gear shifts, synthesized exhaust sounds, and an N Drift Optimizer.

What’s The Cost?

Hyundai first announced these N Performance Parts in July 2025. They’re now available to order in Korea before rolling out to other international markets. According to the Korean Car Blog, the full aero package is priced at ₩11,000,000 (equal to $7,500 at current exchange rates), while the rear wing alone costs ₩4,900,000 ($3,400).

In Korea, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N starts at ₩79.9 million ($54,700). The U.S. version is expected to be priced from around $68,000 when it arrives next year.

Sources: TheKoreanBlog, Hyundai