Hyundai N Developing All-New, Affordable Performance EV

Hyundai has confirmed it is working on an all-new, fully electric performance vehicle aimed at offering a more accessible entry point into the N lineup. Unlike the IONIQ 5 N and upcoming IONIQ 6 N - which serve as halo models at the top end of the brand - this new EV will be developed from the ground up as a more affordable N car, using a 400V architecture.

“We definitely need an affordable performance EV as well,” said Dr. Manfred Bräunl, Executive Vice President and Head of Genesis & Performance Development Tech Unit. “Maybe it takes a little bit longer, but it’s also in an advanced engineering phase.”

While Hyundai’s existing high-performance EVs are built on the 800V EGMP platform, Bräunl confirmed that the brand is now exploring alternatives: “We are investigating right now really other more affordable EV performance solutions on 400-volt as well.”

The vehicle is not expected to be a derivative of an existing IONIQ model, but rather a dedicated electric performance product, potentially using a structure similar in concept to the brand’s K1 small car platform—though adapted specifically for EV performance.

This move reflects Hyundai’s desire to expand the reach of the N sub-brand beyond high-cost, low-volume models. Bräunl acknowledged the current lineup is weighted heavily toward premium offerings: “We know we are with the halo effect and the upper end of the MSRP. We need more products on the other scale.”

Although technical specs and a release timeline remain under wraps, Hyundai’s commitment to developing a ground-up, more attainable N EV signals a major step toward making electric performance accessible to a broader audience.

With the IONIQ 5 N priced from over $110,000 drive-away in Australia, a lower-cost model could appeal to drivers transitioning from combustion N cars like the i20 N or i30 N.