For the team at Dal-Motors, having fun in cars is a very serious business, which is why we’ve been, let’s call it, skeptical about the great EV revolution. But today, we’re in California to explore a car that could change everything. Enter the RN24—a machine designed to prove that the future of driving fun, even without V12 or V8 engines, is safe in Hyundai’s hands. Could this be the dawn of a thrilling EV future? Let’s find out.
What Is the RN24?
So, what exactly is this deranged and exposed rally car-cum-drift monster? Well, that pretty much sums it up. The RN24 is Hyundai’s latest rolling lab, pairing the Ioniq 5N’s twin motors with a WRC-style chassis. It has been built to evaluate how to evolve electric driver cars for real enthusiasts—something Hyundai seems hellbent on doing.
Thankfully, their approach doesn’t involve adding ever more straight-line performance. Instead, the RN24 focuses on lightweighting, shrinking the footprint of future N models, and incorporating a rally-inspired hydraulic handbrake that isn’t a hydraulic handbrake at all.
Instead, the e-handbrake lever sends a signal to the e-motor to lock the rear axle. What an inspired use of EV tech! Signs indicate this innovation will make it onto future models, as history tells us.
The Significance of the RN24
The RN24 holds real clues to future N models. Hyundai has a solid track record of using these rolling laboratories to showcase and test future technologies. While this might sound like corporate spin, in their case, it’s true. For example, in 2022, we saw the RN22e, which introduced the N e-shift, a virtual dual-clutch gearbox concept that is now in this car, the Ioniq 5N.
Driving Experience with the RN24
Driving the RN24 is an interactive experience. We’ve already made mistakes in it, such as hitting the rev limiter due to slow downshifting. Yet, this might be the most interactive EV we’ve driven.
Many were skeptical about the e-shift technology, but one by one, they’ve become believers. This is our first time in an Ioniq 5N, and it’s annoyingly effective. The box is more responsive than plenty of real paddle-shift systems, and the noise is better than many digitally enhanced ICE cars.
Key Innovations in the RN24
The RN24 is investigating essential aspects for future performance EVs:
- Lightweighting: The car’s weight has been reduced significantly.
- Shorter Wheelbase: From 3 meters to 2660mm, enhancing agility.
- Hydraulic Handbrake: A rally-inspired feature controlled electronically.
Additionally, the RN24 incorporates the following:
- WRC-Derived Chassis and Dampers: Based on rally specifications.
- Front and Rear LSDs: Including an e-LSD and a new mechanical LSD.
- Enhanced Audio Features: Side speakers and hollow rear wheel arches act as resonators.
In-Depth Exploration
Weight Reduction
While the RN24 is lighter, it’s still not a lightweight car. Stripped down with no body panels or windshield, the weight has been reduced from 2.2 tons to 1,800kg. This step in the right direction also includes repackaging the Ioniq 5N’s battery pack for a shorter wheelbase.
Driving Modes and Controls
The RN24’s steering wheel features numerous controls:
- Power Modes: Ranging from 1 to 5, with a 10-second boost available in mode 5.
- Driving Modes: Snow, gravel, tarmac, and drift, offering varying torque splits.
- Regen Modes: Three levels of regenerative braking.
- Throttle Maps: Three levels for different driving experiences.
The e-handbrake, though unusual in feel, offers precision and control, mimicking the mechanical action of traditional rally handbrakes.
On the Track
On track, the RN24 feels lighter and more agile than the Ioniq 5N, already considered a benchmark in electric performance cars. In wet conditions at Sonoma Raceway, the RN24 demonstrated a balance between front and rear torque distribution, transitioning seamlessly between understeer and oversteer. This dynamic handling is reminiscent of rally cars, offering controlled and engaging driving even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Our Final Thoughts
Despite time constraints and battery limitations, the RN24 has proven to be a tire-wrecking embodiment of Hyundai’s commitment to driving fun in EVs. Introducing old-school fun into a new kind of performance car, the RN24’s innovations—such as weight reduction, agility, and rally-inspired technology—are refreshing.
While some aspects, like the noise and gear shifts, are synthesized, much of the car’s performance stems from authentic engineering efforts. Hyundai’s rolling lab program is paving the way for genuinely exciting EVs, ensuring that driving fun is far from a thing of the past.
