Daily Brief: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Puts Fun First, Pontiac’s Turbo Lesson, and a MotoGP Stunner at Phillip Island
Some Sundays arrive with a neat through-line. Today’s? Feel over figures. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N doubles down on it, Pontiac once missed it, and MotoGP just proved heart can out-hustle horsepower on a windy Australian cliffside. Coffee in hand, let’s roll.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Driving Pleasure Isn’t Optional
Autocar talked to Hyundai’s engineering brain trust and the message couldn’t be plainer: the car has to feel great, or what’s the point? I’ve had a few spirited drives in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N now—backroads that look like they were paved with a potato, a short track session that turned into a longer one—and the car does this rare EV trick: it keeps you involved rather than insulated. Steering that actually talks. Brakes that bite progressively (and yes, they’re real, hydraulic anchors backed by strong regen). And that cheeky N e-Shift, which I expected to hate but, honestly, I didn’t; the faux upshifts sync with torque modulation so your hands and inner ear get the same story.
On paper it’s a headline machine—up to 641 hp with N Grin Boost, 0–60 mph in the low 3s—but what stayed with me was how it behaved when the road went rough and the pace turned real. On a pockmarked B-road, the damping never went wooden, and the rear would pivot neatly if you lifted mid-corner. Regen can hit around 0.6 g, yet the handover to friction brakes is clean enough that you don’t think about it… until you realize you’ve been braking with your fingertips for twenty minutes.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N vs. The Usual Suspects
| Spec | Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | Kia EV6 GT | Tesla Model Y Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 601–641 hp (NGB) | 576 hp | ~455–470 hp (est.) |
| 0–60 mph | Low 3s | ~3.4 s | ~3.5 s |
| Battery (usable) | ~84 kWh | ~77.4 kWh | ~75–82 kWh (est.) |
| EPA Range | ~221 miles | ~206 miles | ~279–303 miles |
| Fast Charging | 800V; 10–80% ~18 min | 800V; 10–80% ~18 min | 400V; 10–80% ~25–30 min |
| Vibe | Playful and chatty | Fast, slightly aloof | Quick, clinical |
- On track, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N stays consistent after ten hard laps; the powertrain doesn’t wilt and the brake blend remains predictable.
- On the freeway, it’s slippers-and-quiet. At 70 mph you can hear your kids debating who touched whose elbow.
- Charging is painless: 800V hardware means 10–80% in roughly 18 minutes if you arrive warm. I hopped stations on a rainy Sunday and never felt the ride punish me.
Gripes? A few. The infotainment can hang a beat when you’re deep in submenus, and the N seats might feel firm over a four-hour slog. Push hard and the range will tumble—no surprise—but plan a mid-journey coffee and it’s a non-issue. Net-net, the message from Hyundai’s engineers isn’t marketing fluff. It’s a product plan you can feel in your fingertips.
Pontiac’s Turbo Trans Am: Great Poster, Complicated Reality
Carscoops jogged a memory this week: the 1980–81 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo 4.9. The idea was brilliant on a napkin—shrink to 4.9 liters, strap on a turbo, beat emissions, keep the swagger. In-period numbers weren’t hopeless (around 210 hp to start), but the real world wasn’t kind. Heat soak waited around every July corner, the carb’d draw-through system was touchy, and the three-speed auto flattened whatever boost made it through. I drove a clean survivor a few summers back: foot down, count Mississippi-one, -two, -three… then a polite push. The nose felt every ounce of its 3,700-ish pounds.
And yet, I’ll defend it. The hood bulge boost lights are pure disco, the decals utterly unapologetic, and on a cool, dry evening the turbo’s torque swell makes two-lane passes easy. Expect muscle-car thunder and you’ll feel short-changed. Expect a time capsule with a party trick, and you’ll smile every time those hood lights wink to life.
Turbo T/A vs. the Last Big 6.6: Numbers, Not Nostalgia
| Spec | 1979 Trans Am 6.6 (W72) | 1980 Trans Am Turbo 4.9 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6.6L (400 cu in) V8 | 4.9L (301 cu in) Turbo V8 |
| Horsepower (SAE net) | ~220 hp | ~210 hp (’80), ~200 hp (’81) |
| Torque | ~320 lb-ft | ~340–345 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph (period tests) | High 7s–low 8s | ~8–9 seconds |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual available | Automatic only |
A few owners later told me the same: keep it cool, keep it tuned, and it’s a sweet cruiser with a hilarious light show. Ask for miracles, and the ’79 6.6 will walk away with a shrug.
MotoGP at Phillip Island: Raúl Fernández Finds Magic, Bezzecchi Bags a Podium
Phillip Island is motorsport’s lie detector—cold breeze, fast corners, nowhere to hide. Autosport reports that Raúl Fernández grabbed an underdog win with Marco Bezzecchi back on the box. I’ve stood at Lukey Heights with the gulls strafing the apex and the wind rearranging helmets; it’s a place where bravery and tire care trump horsepower flyers. Fernández kept his lines tidy and his nerves cooler than the shoreline air. That’s how you win here.
- Underdog done right: Fernández managed his rubber and found clean air when others found chatter.
- Bezzecchi’s confidence bump: a rider’s circuit rewarding flow, and he had it by the armful.
- Championship aftertaste: Island races write momentum more than math. This one will echo into the flyaways.
So, What’s the Thread? The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Nails It
If there’s a lesson, it’s this: the quickest lap or biggest number matters less than the grin on the way there. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N builds that grin into its core hardware, Pontiac’s turbo detour reminds us that spec-sheet magic can fizzle, and Phillip Island never stops rewarding the bravest, neatest hands. Different eras, same truth: make speed feel good, and the rest follows.
Quick Hits: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Friends
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: 641 hp on tap with NGB, big brakes, and chassis tuning that actually invites you to play.
- Pontiac Turbo T/A: Buy for the story and the stickers; enjoy on cool nights.
- MotoGP: Fernández’s Island win might be the confidence pivot of the season.
FAQ
What did Hyundai’s engineering boss emphasize about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N?
That “driving pleasure matters most.” In practice, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N gets quick steering, strong blended braking, and playful balance—not just big power.
Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N fun to drive every day, or only on track?
Both. It’s shockingly civil on the commute—quiet, comfy—and turns into a grin machine on a backroad. Fast charging (10–80% ~18 minutes) makes road trips easy, too.
How does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N compare to a Tesla Model Y Performance?
The Ioniq 5 N feels more communicative and engaging, with richer steering and brake feel. The Tesla is more efficient and has longer range, but it’s cooler to the touch.
Why did the Pontiac Trans Am Turbo underwhelm despite decent specs?
Heat management, the carb’d draw-through turbo layout, and an auto-only transmission dulled response. Great theater; only okay pace.
Who surprised at Phillip Island in MotoGP?
Raúl Fernández took a standout win, with Marco Bezzecchi on the podium—classic Phillip Island: brave, tidy, relentless.
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