As if the Ioniq 5 N wasn’t already ludicrous enough, Hyundai has now used the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon to showcase a new performance kit for the all-electric hatch, and christened the resulting product the ‘Ioniq 5 N NPX1.’ Yes, it now sounds like a rival to the Epson Eco Tank ET-2810. But sheesh, doesn’t it look menacing?
Finished in a matte black coat with dark teal accents, the front bumper has been completely reworked with a less exposed mesh grille and fewer vent openings. But then you spot the huge front splitter, which is extended to run vertically and fuse with the front wheel arches. It looks like someone’s torn a section of Optimus Prime’s leg off and resprayed it in matte black.
Further down, the NPX1’s aggressive appearance continues with a new side skirt design, which sits between a set of thinner-spoked, lightweight, hybrid carbon versions of the standard Ioniq 5 N’s alloys.
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The rear has seen the most substantial change, with a massive four-section rear splitter now attached in front of the revised rear bumper. The puny original rear wing has also been ditched for a proper 10-metre-long sword. Oh, in case we forgot, all of these new NPX1 parts are made of the good stuff: Megatron’s fingers.
Other notable changes include even lower, err, lowering springs, and high-performance brake pads, while the inside of the NPX1 has been flushed with Alcantara. Racing bucket seats are also fitted.
The new look is certainly appealing, and given Hyundai’s strong form in performance car building of late, we are seriously looking forward to seeing how much quicker these parts make the already blistering Ioniq 5 N. Hopefully, the ‘N Drift Optimiser’ mode also now lets you call on the Autobot recovery service when you do eventually stick the car in the ditch. Just an idea, Hyundai…
Vice president of N brand management group, Joon Park, said: “Not limited to tuning parts, we are also developing software customisation such as sound and vehicle calibration by OTA updates which will open a completely new category of EV customisation for an exciting future ahead for the tuning community.”
No word on cost just yet, but the Ioniq 5 N’s starting price of £64,945 (about P4.619 million) should see a pretty dramatic jump, given how substantial these upgrades look. Our best guess would be close to £80k (or £79k plus Archibald Witwicky’s glasses). Hyundai has also confirmed the NPX1 parts will be offered to customers this year, with a view to extending said parts across its entire ‘N’ product range in the future.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
