Hyundai IONIQ 5 N : It’s once again the work of Hyundai’s performance division, and this time, it’s in Japan. While it will be a while before a road-legal version of the IONIQ 5 N will take the race track, the tailless N model has already bettered the fastest lap record at the Attack Tsukuba 2025 motorsport event, a svelte 57.446 seconds at the Tsukuba Circuit in Japan. With Japanese motorsport legend Nobuteru Taniguchi behind the wheel, the record-breaking lap shows that Hyundai’s battery-powered game isn’t solely about efficiency; it’s about serious pace, too.
Meanwhile, the Tsukuba Circuit is known for its tight corners and high-speed straights, making it a playground for performance machines. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N TA Spec may have faced some formidable EV competition, but it STILL managed to top the list. So what is that’s making this electric beast so quick? Let’s break it down.Highway Ranks the IONIQ 5 N TA Spec 10th Out of 251 Cars at sota offense, Circuit Club, Circuit Club, Circuit Club
IONIQ 5 N TA Spec was no ordinary EV; this track monster meant business in the speed department. Although the car is based on the production-spec IONIQ 5 N, it features modifications that allow it to put in a formidable performance on the track.Fired up for a massive power upgrade – The TA Spec will be hot wired to 687 PS on the software side while an additional 37 PS is also fed to the rear motor for better weight balance and traction.
Race Qualifying Aerodynamics – A high-downforce package keeps the car glued to the track and provides increased stability at high speed.Motorsport Brakes & Suspension – Upgraded brakes, new dampers, and a roll cage keep things in check.Sticky Tires – 18-inch Yokohama ADVAN 005 slicks offer the grip necessary to shred corners.
Loud and Proud – The N Active Sound+ system brings over 120 dB of raw sound, ensuring that not only does it go fast, but it sounds fast as well!How Did It Compare to Other EVs in Terms of Speed?The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec not only set a new record, but also beat the previous best EV lap time by nearly two seconds. That’s a big gap on a short and technical circuit like Tsukuba. And the best part? And it did so without going nuts with the modifications — it’s largely still using production-spec power electronics, battery, and control systems.
The rise of Hyundai’s EV dominance
This isn’t just a matter of bragging rights, as Hyundai Mobility Japan is also doubling down its EV line. Hyundai also brought the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition along with the record-breaking IONIQ 5 N TA Spec, which is a performance concept jointly developed by Hyundai, Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya, and Autobacs Seven. The goal? Get performance-tuned EVs on the street and the tracks.
What It Means for Electric Vehicle Lovers
This is a big moment for performance car fans. It further demonstrates that EVs are more than capable of hanging with the best petrol-burners on iconic circuits. It’s no longer just about acceleration — EVs are now designed to bowl into corners; attack porches; and shred lap records.