When it set about creating internal combustion powered N models, Hyundai devised what it called a ‘rolling lab’ called the RM16 N – a fantasy N model never intended for production, but to raise eyebrows and to be used by engineers as a blank canvas for their endeavours. And it’s doing the exact same thing for electric models.
The N Vision 74 concept is an eye-catching vision of a hydrogen-fuelled future, but the RN22e is the rolling lab for electric Ns. While it looks a bit like the new Ioniq 6 electric saloon, its first assignment is the donkey work for the 5 N. It uses the E-GMP platform – the same electric architecture used under the 577PS (430kW) Kia EV6 GT we’ve just driven. But expect a few more party tricks from Hyundai’s hot application of the platform.
Teasing some of the new tech employed by the platform, we get a look at the new e-TVTC torque vectoring system – which Hyundai says uses the instant torque of electric motors in the battle against understeer.
More interestingly, you’d argue, is the N Sound and N e-Shift features in development on the RN22e, as they point to Hyundai developing a mock paddle-shift transmission for the Ioniq 5 N, complete with a combustion engine-like soundtrack and even simulated jolts of movement from the imaginary cogs swapping with aggression.
We’ll find out more about what Hyundai has in store for us, with the 5 N, at some point in 2023.