Hyundai sets fastest EV record

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N has set a new record after achieving the fastest lap time by an EV at the Attack Tsukuba 2025 motorsport event in Japan.

Held at the Tsukuba Circuit in Ibaraki Prefecture, the track provided the stage for participants to showcase the capabilities of their vehicles during the event on February 15. 

Hyundai N entered the contest with the Ioniq 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec and had Japanese professional driver Nobuteru Taniguchi behind the wheel.

He clocked a lap time of 57.446 seconds, the fastest achieved by an EV at the Tsukuba Circuit, and was almost two seconds faster than his nearest zero-emissions rival.

Taniguchi says he was honoured to drive the Hyundai vehicle, which enabled him to smash his previous EV record at the circuit. 

“The Ioniq 5 N TA Spec stops well and handles excellently,” he adds. “Despite the power, the control is outstanding, with great cornering and smooth, stable corner-exit. I could push the car to the limit with real confidence.”

The car, a motorsport variant of the Ioniq 5 N, retains the standard model’s high-performance power electronics system but through software tuning its maximum output has been boosted to 687 PS, with the rear motor’s power increased by 37 PS.

Other upgrades include new shock absorbers, motorsport-grade brakes and a high-downforce aerodynamic package.

Joon Park, head of N management group, says the Tsukuba record is a demonstration of Hyundai’s commitment to advancing EV technologies and delivering exceptional performance.

“The Ioniq 5 N TA Spec’s new record, using primarily production components, is not only a significant milestone that validates our technological prowess, but also demonstrates Hyundai N’s commitment to bringing high-performance EVs deeper into global car culture through events such as Attack Tsukuba.”