Hyundai’s RN24 is a mad science experiment in electric car rallying

The automaker’s engineers outfitted the car with an exoskeleton-style exposed roll cage

Hyundai has just taken the wraps off its latest “rolling lab” model, dubbed the RN24. The car follows in the footsteps of the RN22e and N Vision 74 and serves as a testbed for the high-performance technologies and motorsport features that will shape the N division’s future electric vehicles.

When creating the RN24, Hyundai’s engineers wanted to fit their most powerful powertrain into the smallest possible package they could muster. So they developed a custom EV chassis inspired by the World Rally Championship, then ditched the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s 641-horsepower powertrain. Notably, the car even comes with the same 84 kWh battery pack as the Ioniq 5 N, albeit on a 13.3-inch (340 mm) shorter wheelbase.

Read: Hyundai confirms N Vision 74 production

A range of features ensure the RN24 is more than just a prototype. For example, it has a WRC Powertrain Drive Control Logic system that allows the driver to adjust power, acceleration sensitivity, regenerative braking sensitivity and power balance using steering wheel buttons, functioning similarly to Hyundai’s current WRC race cars.

Additionally, the technology demonstrator features a dedicated “Rally Mode” that optimizes torque distribution, inspired by the i20 N Rally 1 WRC, and there’s even a new electronic handbrake to initiate some epic power slides. The Ioniq 5 N also adds a new version of the N Active Sound+ system. It now includes two side speakers, with the rear fender doubling as a boombox to help enhance the soundtrack.

You’ll no doubt notice that the RN24 is almost completely devoid of bodywork, instead using an exoskeleton-style exposed roll cage. It also has the same rear wing as the modern TCR race car. Despite various weight-saving measures, the RN24 still weighs an estimated 4,144 pounds (1,880 kilograms), about 350 kilograms (771 pounds) lighter than the Ioniq 5 N from which it borrows its powertrain.

“The RN24 embodies Hyundai N’s commitment to advancing electric racing technology by prioritizing the driving experience over specification numbers,” said Joon Park, group vice president of N Brand Management, in a statement. “This rolling laboratory proves that high-performance electric vehicles can There is still untapped potential and there is much to look forward to as new technologies develop. ”

If RN24 is a taste of the future, then the future of the N Division looks promising.