Hyundai Australia has just unveiled its most expensive styling yet: the 2024 Ioniq five N, priced at $111,000 before road expenses, and the logo is under no illusions that it could be a hard sell for local customers.
“We already have Palisades touting to consumers for around $90,000, so yes, it’s a bit of a stretch to get to $111,000,” Andrew Tuitahi, Hyundai Australia’s lead product manager, told Drive at the local launch of the Ioniq five N.
“But I think the performance, features, and durability justify the price. “
Based on the initial 126 pre-orders, Tuitahi said many buyers are coming from existing Hyundai N cars, as well as consumers from other brands who are curious about one of the first high-performance electric cars to be hit by a luxury car badge.
“It’s wild and varied. So far we can only take a look at consumers and right now we’re going from i30 N sedan owners to guys who have cars in their garage and are looking for that first electric car that’s going to make them laugh. “and everything else. Said.
“We’ll see how that works out over time.
I’m sure we’ll probably find out that there’s a specific niche of buyers in the market who come to try it out, but it’s actually different right now.
Regardless, Hyundai claims to have a plentiful inventory of Ioniq five N’s, depending on the color and configuration.
The only options available, besides external color, are a matte paint for $1,000 and a “Vision” glass roof that adds $2,000 to the asking price.
At the time of writing, Hyundai claims that maximum configurations are “available for immediate delivery”, while the versions supplied with a sunroof in Ecotronic Grey, Atlas White Matte and Atlas Black have an expected waiting time of six to eight weeks.
The Performance Blue and Cyber Grey models with sunroof are indexed for an estimated delivery in April, while only the Gravity Gold and Atlas White Matte models would enjoy a 3- to six-month wait time, according to the company’s website.
A new Ecotronic Grey Matte shade is expected to arrive in May.
With 126 pre-orders already in the bank, the Ioniq 5 N has already generated Hyundai Australia around $14 million in revenue, but the company acknowledges that it’s still too early to consider the six-figure electric car a success.
“It’s hard to set expectations because it’s the first of its kind,” Tuitahi said.
“The challenge is to get other people to come in, enjoy the car, perceive all the technologies that the vehicle incorporates and create genuine emotions.
“It’s easy to make sure of things and say ‘no, I’m a real petrol enthusiast, I’ll never like a virtual gearbox’, but the fact is that once you get in the car and enjoy it, it changes your perception. .
“That’s going to be the key to unlocking that infinity of the car. “
Reportedly, Hyundai Australia is reliant on the number of Ioniq five N cars allocated to the local market this year.
Senior Journalist
Tung Nguyen has worked in the automotive journalism industry for more than a decade, getting her start in publishing before moving to Drive in 2024. With a background in news writing, articles, reviews, and tips, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars began as a child, watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours in Gran Turismo on PlayStation, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with ample freedom. Walking structure kit, of course.