Hyundai Releases Electric Sports Car Based On Ioniq 5 . Engine

Hyundai launches an electric sports car. (photo: doc.hyundai)

JAKARTA - Hyundai is trying to keep car culture alive with two performance-focused electric vehicle (EV) concepts it calls its "rolling lab." The RN22e model car featured a modified Ioniq 6 body, and the N Vision 74 was modeled after the never-released 1974 Pony Coupe concept. But both sport a refreshingly sporty design that doesn't look like some kind of futuristic pod.

Both concepts come from Hyundai's “N” sub-brand, which focuses on high-performance vehicles. The N Vision 74 is the most striking of the two, and features design that draws on elements from the 2025 Hyundai N Vision Gran Turismo and the 1974 Pony Coupe concept originally designed by the iconic Giorgetto Giugiaro. Now the same man who went on to make the DeLorean DMC.

But this iteration swaps the gas-powered engine for a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell system capable of propelling the car over 250 kph (155mph). There's also a 62.4 kWh battery with 800V fast charging capability, as well as a driving range of over 372 miles (600 km).

This is not Hyundai's first attempt to make an EV model after the Pony. In 2019, Hyundai showcased a 45 EV concept that should pay homage to classic cars. Hyundai then turned the '70s Pony hatchback into an EV and outfitted it with lots of cool retro-meets-modern elements.

The RN22e isn't quite as flashy as the N Vision 74, but it's still pretty slim. It uses the same aerodynamic streamliner design as the Ioniq 6 that the company just introduced last week, allowing for more efficient performance.

According to Hyundai, the RN22e has a 77.4kWh battery with fast 400 or 800V multi-charging capability, as well as a maximum speed of over 250kph (155mph). And if you want to enjoy what Hyundai describes as an "emotional driving experience," you can take advantage of the RN22e's N Sound Plus feature which produces fake engine sounds while you're driving.

According to The Verge, Hyundai has pushed out some impressive concept cars of late, such as the badass restomod EV. It is not yet known whether any of these concept cars will be mass produced but so far Hyundai N is releasing its first EV, the Ioniq 5 N, in 2023.