Top time in exhibition class in debut for IONIQ 5 N TA
Hyundai Motorsport superstar Dani Sordo soared to the summit in his first attempt on the world-famous Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), this past weekend.
Dani – who has contested 82 World Rally Championship events for Hyundai Motorsport – drove the IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) to set a new record for the Electric Modified and Production SUV/Crossover categories at the iconic venue.
Hyundai competed in this year’s PPIHC with two IONIQ 5 N TA and one production IONIQ 5 N; and exceeded expectations with the high-performance EV with Dani winning the exhibition category with a time of 9mins 30.852secs.
Pikes Peak presented an exceptional challenge over its 156 turns, with rapidly changing weather and high altitude (1,438 meters) over its 20 km course to the summit.
“It was all good!” said a smiling Sordo after his run. “The car was feeling great and the overall experience was good. It’s a nice and special feeling to climb the mountain. I was happy for everyone. Everyone did a very nice job!”.
The car was unveiled at last month’s Nürburgring 24 Hours (N24); and as well as Dani, a second TA Spec driven by Randy Pobst set a time of 9min 55.551secs whilst an IONIQ 5 N production model driven by Ron Zaras – a PPIHC rookie and automotive media personality – finished with a time of 10min 49.267secs, showcasing the model’s leading capabilities without modifications.
This was the time for both Dani and the IONIQ 5 N TA at Pikes Peak, so it could be that there’s more potential to come.
“I think I can do even better,” he said. “I didn’t want to take any risks as it was important for the team to finish the competition with no mistakes.”
PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
Hyundai Motor first competed in the PPIHC in 1992. Rod Millen won the 2-Wheel Drive Showroom Stock division with a time of 13:21.17, driving a Hyundai Scoupe. Another significant moment in Hyundai’s Pikes Peak history was in 2012 when a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, driven by Rhys Millen, set a course record of 9:46.164.
ABOUT IONIQ 5 N TA Spec
The 687 PS IONIQ 5 N TA Spec is designed to highlight the production-spec IONIQ 5 N’s strengths without fundamentally altering the car. Notably, the production IONIQ 5 N’s standard high-performance power electric (PE) system is carried over. The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec’s maximum output has been increased through software tuning to maximize performance. This was implemented by increasing the output of the rear motor by 37 horsepower (27 kW).
In addition, Hyundai N has chosen to utilize N Active Sound+ with modified speakers (over 120 dB) to both enhance feedback for the driver and replace sirens typical of electric Pikes Peak race cars.
To adapt the car for Pikes Peak, new shock absorbers, motorsport-spec brakes, 18-inch Yokohama ADVAN 005 slick tires, and a unique high-downforce aerodynamic package have been specially applied. Additional safety enhancements include a Recaro Pro Racer SPA Hans seat, Sabelt six-point Hans safety harness, a PPIHC specification roll cage and an EV fire suppression system.
Learn more about the technical specifications here.
