Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Shines in Gran Turismo Esports Debut
Hyundai Motor Company's first high-performance EV, the IONIQ 5 N, has made a thrilling entry into the world of competitive Esports.
Its digital debut at the Gran Turismo (GT) World Series 2024 – World Finals in Amsterdam on December 7-8 marked a significant milestone, showcasing Hyundai's electrification technology and performance capabilities.
A high-performance EV revolution
The IONIQ 5 N is Hyundai's flagship high-performance EV under its N brand, symbolising its commitment to cutting-edge electrification through the 'Hyundai Way.'
The car has a robust 478 kW (650 horsepower) output in N Grin Boost mode and 770 Nm of torque, demonstrating Hyundai's focus on delivering exhilarating driving performance.
Its features include a high-performance four-wheel drive system, an 84 kWh high-output battery and an EV-specific thermal management control system, ensuring consistent performance during intense driving conditions.
Joon Park, Vice President of the N Brand Management Group at Hyundai, stated: "IONIQ 5 N "is an excellent starting point for the collaboration between both companies and we will develop various Hyundai N models in Gran Turismo 7 so that more people can experience the high performance of Hyundai N in the virtual space."
Gran Turismo debut
The IONIQ 5 N made its virtual mark during the Nations Cup World Final's Qualifying Time Trial session. Its inclusion in the highly competitive Gran Turismo 7 simulation game, scheduled for release in January 2025, reflects Hyundai's allows players worldwide to experience the thrill of high-performance EV racing.
The Gran Turismo World Series is a global championship featuring some of the most advanced racing simulations in the industry. With its seventh instalment, the series continues to captivate audiences, blending real-world automotive innovation with the virtual racing arena.
Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of the Gran Turismo Series, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: "We are pleased to release the IONIQ 5 N to Gran Turismo 7. Hyundai's N brand has achieved remarkable success in motorsports this year."
"We look forward to future collaborations between Gran Turismo and Hyundai in the Esports sector."
To celebrate the IONIQ 5 N's arrival, Hyundai and Polyphony Digital launched a special in-game reward campaign during the World Finals. Viewers of the Nations Cup could secure the IONIQ 5 N for their Gran Turismo 7 garage through a banner campaign available via the game's World Map.
The reward will be distributed after the game's January update, bridging the excitement of virtual racing with real-world engagement.
A year of milestones for Hyundai N
The IONIQ 5 N’s debut at the Gran Turismo World Series follows an impressive year for Hyundai N.
Highlights include:
- TCR class victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours
- Securing the TCR World Tour drivers’ title
- Setting records at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
- Winning the World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers’ title
These achievements support the synergy between Hyundai N’s real-world motorsports success and its commitment to elevating the virtual racing experience.
With plans to develop more N models for Gran Turismo 7, Hyundai is taking strides to bring its high-performance EVs to a broader audience.
The collaboration between Hyundai and Polyphony Digital represents a fusion of innovation, technology and engagement that promises to redefine virtual and real-world motorsports alike.
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