Ever wondered what would happen if you crossed a rally car with the power of an all-electric beast? Hyundai’s RN24 might just be your answer. Freshly unveiled at the 2024 “N Day” event, the RN24 is Hyundai N (HYMTF) division’s latest concept car, pushing the boundaries of high-performance electric vehicles (EVs).
It’s a rolling test lab designed to blur the line between track, street, and dirt—giving us a glimpse into the future of electrified adrenaline.
Packing a Punch: Powertrain and Chassis Dynamics
The RN24 sports the same dual-motor setup found in the Ioniq 5 N, delivering a head-spinning 641 horsepower (478 kW). But don’t confuse it with your typical electric family hauler—the RN24’s re-engineered platform is built for rallying.
By shortening the Ioniq 5 N’s wheelbase by a whopping 34 centimeters, Hyundai essentially crammed a lion’s heart into a kitten’s body. This makes the RN24’s proportions closer to the i20 N Rally1 WRC car, enabling the kind of agility and weight distribution you’d expect from a high-performance rally machine.
And while shedding that length, they didn’t skimp on the juice. An 84 kWh battery still sits at its core, optimized for motorsport cooling, so you can push it hard without cooking the electrics.
The open-frame chassis, complete with rally-spec dampers and reinforced subframes, allows the RN24 to eat up any track surface—be it tarmac, gravel, or anything in between.
When Power Meets Precision: High-Tech Handling
The RN24 isn’t just about raw speed—it’s about precision and adaptability. The WRC-inspired drive control system lets drivers fine-tune almost every aspect of the car’s handling through steering wheel-mounted controls.
Want more regenerative braking to maximize energy recovery on a downhill sprint? You got it. Prefer a rear-heavy torque bias for extra flair during your next powerslide? Just dial it in. The control system is so intuitive, it’s practically like having a rally co-driver embedded in the software.
What really separates the RN24 from typical EVs is its Rally Mode torque management system. It mimics the torque distribution strategies used in World Rally Championship cars but does it all electronically.
In a world where traction control often feels too much like a digital nanny, Hyundai’s approach allows for a controlled kind of chaos—just the way driving enthusiasts like it.
Turning Sound into a Sensation: The Active Audio Experience
Let’s talk sound, because Hyundai knows that silent speed doesn’t cut it for everyone. The RN24 isn’t content to just zip by without leaving a sonic impression.
Using a sound-enhanced setup featuring side-mounted speakers and a rear-end soundbox, it amplifies the audio of the Ioniq 5 N’s Active Sound+ system. Think of it as the aural equivalent of tire smoke: not strictly necessary, but undeniably fun.
The rear bumper’s design actually doubles as a soundbox, giving the RN24 an aggressive growl that adds to its track-day theatrics. It’s a bit like putting a megaphone on a cheetah—it was already fast, now it’s just making sure everyone knows it.
High Performance with a Rally-Ready Attitude
Weighing in at 1.88 tonnes, the RN24 is no featherweight, but it compensates for that with its robust power and advanced chassis dynamics. Its rally-bred suspension system keeps all four wheels planted, while the exoskeleton-style roll cage isn’t just for looks; it adds rigidity that bolsters handling.
This kind of design wouldn’t look out of place in an episode of Mad Max—except this time, it’s electric, and it’s real.
Borrowing a page from its rally racing playbook, Hyundai equipped the RN24 with an e-handbrake system, tested on actual rally stages. This isn’t your average emergency brake—it’s a lightweight electronic solution that allows for the kind of sharp cornering maneuvers rally fans dream of.
Whether it’s executing a tight handbrake turn or just showing off at the next autocross, the RN24 is built for fun.
Hyundai’s Vision for Electrifying Motorsport
The RN24 embodies Hyundai N’s philosophy of combining motorsport DNA with electric innovation. It’s part of a lineage that includes prototypes like the RN22e and the hydrogen-powered N Vision 74, where the aim is to bridge the gap between track-bred technology and road-ready excitement.
The RN24, with its radical approach to design and technology, represents Hyundai’s commitment to advancing electric motorsport.
But beyond the technicalities, there’s a more significant mission: to reignite the passion for compact, lightweight sports cars. In an era where cars are growing larger, heavier, and more complex, the RN24 takes a bold step in the opposite direction. It harks back to the days when cars were built for drivers, not just for specs on a brochure.
Charge Complete: The Future Is Electric (and Loud)
Hyundai’s RN24 may never see the inside of a dealership, but that’s not the point. It’s a statement of intent, a rolling experiment to show what’s possible when you toss out the rulebook and go full throttle into the electric era.
The idea is simple: build cars that not only go fast but feel alive. The RN24 may be the rally car of the future, but it’s already here, ripping through our notions of what an EV can be. And with Hyundai’s N division at the wheel, we’re in for one wild ride.
