The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is currently the performance car to beat. It's the first fully electric vehicle that the Motor1 team genuinely adores, largely due to its ability to mimic the behavior of a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. However, it still excels in delivering impressive straight-line acceleration.
The Carwow YouTube channel decided to put the Ioniq 5 N up against the Audi RS7 Performance in a series of drag races to determine which car would come out on top. The RS7 Performance is one of the most powerful sedans available today, boasting 621 horsepower and utilizing Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system to distribute torque to all four wheels. The Hyundai, on the other hand, can produce up to 641 horsepower when its boost function is engaged, thanks to its dual electric motors that also provide all-wheel drive. Interestingly, both cars have nearly identical weights, setting the stage for a true head-to-head competition.
In the first of three half-mile drag races starting from a standstill, the Audi got off to a strong start and maintained its lead until the finish line. The second race saw a more evenly matched start, resulting in a very close win for the Ioniq 5. The final race was similarly tight, with the electric vehicle edging out the victory by just half a car length.
The Carwow team also conducted a couple of roll-races between the two cars. In the first roll-race, the Ioniq 5 was set to its simulated gear-shift mode, which mimics an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Audi easily claimed victory. For the next roll-race, the Hyundai was switched to its standard EV power delivery mode, and this time, it managed to win, albeit by a very narrow margin.
The only test where the Audi secured a clear victory was the braking test. In a side-by-side comparison from 100 mph, the Audi stopped several car lengths ahead of the Hyundai. Despite the identical weights of the two cars, the RS7's larger brakes and grippier tires likely played a significant role in its success.
