The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an annual 12.42 mile, one-at-a-time dash to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, USA. The paved track has over 156 turns as it climbs 4720 ft (1440 m) from the start at Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway to a finish line at an altitude of 14,115 ft.
Having been established way back in 1916, the so-called Race to the Clouds has attained legendary status and seen some bizarre specialised vehicles. But this year, when the event ran in late June, one of the most intriguing of the successful contenders was little changed from roadcar status.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a ‘crossover’ battery-electric roadcar, produced by Hyundai since 2021. It uses permanent magnet synchronous motor technology and nickel-cobalt-manganese lithium battery tech. The Ioniq 5 N was introduced during the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed as the current top-of-the-line model, with the N indicating Hyundai’s performance sub-brand.
The four-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 N is equipped with two electric motors, providing a total of 448 kW (601 bhp) and 740 Nm torque. It also has a so-called N Grin Boost mode, allowing a maximum output of 478 kW power and 770 Nm torque to be released for 10 seconds.
For this year’s Pikes Peak running, Hyundai Motor entered two Ioniq 5 N cars in TA (Time Attack) Spec and one in production trim. The Ioniq 5 N TA Spec, driven by Hyundai World Rally driver Dani Sordo, ascended in 09:30.852 to win the exhibition class. The second TA Spec, driven by Randy Pobst, finished in 09:55.551, while the unmodified version, driven by media personality and Pikes Peak rookie Ron Zaras, clocked 10:49.267.
Interestingly, the production Ioniq 5 N’s standard powertrain package of dual motors, battery and two-stage inverters was carried over to the TA Spec. Its only powertrain improvement was software reprogramming to increase the output of the rear motor by 37 bhp (27.5 kW). However, it did benefit from shock absorber and brake upgrades plus the use of slick tyres.
Sordo’s time was good enough for third place. The overall 2024 winner was an all-electric, experimental, ‘1600 bhp’ version of the Ford F-150 Lightening truck, in which Romain Dumas was timed at 8:53.553, despite losing 26 seconds due to an unscheduled powertrain shutdown!