The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N stands out as the performance car of the moment. It's the first purely electric vehicle that the Motor1 team genuinely adores, largely due to its ability to mimic the behavior of an internal combustion engine. However, it still excels in delivering impressive straight-line acceleration.
The Carwow YouTube channel organized a series of drag races between an Ioniq 5 N and an Audi RS7 Performance to determine which vehicle would emerge faster. The RS7, currently one of the most powerful saloons on the market, boasts 621 horsepower in its Performance variant and utilizes Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system to distribute torque to all four wheels. The Hyundai, on the other hand, can generate up to 641 horsepower when its boost function is activated, thanks to its dual electric motors, which also ensure torque distribution to all corners. Interestingly, both cars have nearly identical weights, setting the stage for a true head-to-head competition.
In the initial half-mile standing start drag race, the Audi got off to a strong start and maintained its lead until the finish. The second race saw a more balanced start between the two vehicles, resulting in a very close victory for the Ioniq 5. The final race mirrored the second, with the electric vehicle winning by a mere half-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 imitates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Audi easily secured the win. For the subsequent 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 truly triumphed was the braking test. In a side-by-side comparison from 100 mph, the Audi stopped several car lengths ahead of the Hyundai. Despite their equal weights, the RS7's larger brakes and grippier tires likely played a significant role in its victory.
