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Almost a year to the day after announcing its new N performance line of EVs, beginning with the IONIQ 5, Hyundai has publicly unveiled the long-teased N version at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The IONIQ 5 N combines past and present as a nod to Hyundai’s performance arm’s design characteristics, reimagined for the new age of EVs built for track performance and not just speed in a straight line. Ever seen an EV specifically designed for high speed cornering?

At less than seven years old in its own right, Hyundai Motor Group’s N and N Line performance remains a young sub-brand that is already reimagining itself as an all-electric, enhanced performance arm.

We first learned that N brand IONIQ EVs were coming last summer during the global premiere of the IONIQ 6. The end of the 6’s launch video featured Hyundai’s first three E-GMP models flocking along a racetrack before suddenly being joined by two additional models. We would soon learn those were Hyundai’s conceptual “rolling lab” N models.

That same day, Hyundai confirmed the IONIQ 5 would be its first production EV model to don the “N” performance badge. Since then, the team at Hyundai N has teased fans with video updates every couple of months as we approach the performance EV’s full debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The day has finally come my friends, and the IONIQ 5 N is on full display for all to see, equipped with design and performance features inside and out that are not only synonymous with Hyundai N, but also present a new breed of electric vehicles specifically designed with advanced racetrack capabilities.

Oh, and it can simulate fighter jet noises too.

The IONIQ 5 N is a new breed of EV, not a grocery getter

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 hatchback (it’s a hatchback no matter what its makers say) continues to help pave the way for the Korean automaker as a serious contender in the global EV market. The “crossover” and its 800V E-GMP platform offer consumers some of the most advanced tech out there right now at very reasonable prices – a reason why the IONIQ 5 was voted car of the year by several organizations.

Still, at its core, the IONIQ 5 is tame. It’s an everyday passenger EV, and a damn good one at that, but not something you’re going to take to the track. The IONIQ 5 N, however, is an entirely different story. The N version is lower, wider, and more aggressive, thanks to its larger wheels (forged 21-inch aluminum and high-grip Pirelli P-Zero tires).

Beginning with the exterior, you’ll notice a new N Mask mesh fascia above a front air curtain with three active air flaps to help cool the EV’s battery. Atop the rear, Hyundai N has added a wing-type spoiler, diffuser, and air outlet to optimize airflow and aerodynamics. The team isn’t sharing the drag coefficient just yet, but the N model is more aerodynamic than the standard IONIQ 5, in addition to being sportier and equipped with better braking capabilities.

These upgrades complement the IONIQ 5 N’s front and rear suspension, which was redesigned from the ground up. The overall exterior seen in the images above and below features Hyundai N’s exclusive colors – Blue Glossy and Performance Blue Matte – in addition to Luminous Orange Matte accents around the rear. (Looks red to me, but hey, still works.) Hyundai says the IONIQ 5 N will come available in 10 different exterior shades as well.

Next, let’s take a gander at the 5 N’s “racing concept” interior as well as its performance specs.

  • Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
  • Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
  • Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
  • Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

Low seats, racing steering wheel, and sustainable materials

Looking inside the new IONIQ 5 N, drivers will experience racing bucket seats, a fixed center console, knee pads, shin supports, and sustainable materials throughout the cabin. This includes recyclable paperette door garnishes, recycled poly Alcantara seat cover cloth, and recycled yarn from PET bottles.

A new “N” branded steering wheel houses four dedicated buttons, two of which are customizable. The other two control the EV’s four dedicated drive modes as well as toggle the IONIQ 5’s “N Grin Boost” (NGB) – which delivers instant thrust from the dual motors by maximizing the vehicle’s power output and torque for 10 seconds.

We already touched upon the unique performance pillars implemented in the new IONIQ 5 N, including features like N Active Sound + and N e-shift, so let’s dig into the actual performance specs:

Drivetrain Battery
Capacity
Max
Power
Output
Torque 0-100 km/h
(0-62 mph)
Top Speed Est. Range
AWD 84.0 kWh 609 PS (650 PS NGB) 740 Nm (770 Nm with NGB) 3.5 seconds (3.4 sec with NGB) 258 km/h (160mph) TBA

The team at Hyundai N says it fine tuned the existing E-GMP platform specifically for the IONIQ 5 to deliver optimized power, torque, and response. As a track car, the IONIQ 5 N has seen numerous body and chassis reinforcements, including 42 additional welds and another 2.1 meters of structural adhesives to improve its rigidity.

Its Integrated Drive Axles (IDA) were inspired by World Rally Championship racing vehicles and have been implemented on both the front and rear to endure the massive torque its dual motors put out. The EV’s steering column has also been revamped with a bespoke rack to deliver a higher steering ratio and offer enhanced response for drivers.

Additionally, the Hyundai N team is touting a technology it calls “N Pedal,” which increases the regenerative force that creates a specific weight transfer of the vehicle to enable sharper cornering entries, helping alleviate some of the added weight issues EVs with large battery packs are stuck with.

The IONIQ 5 N’s Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) system controls the dampening force and improves handling and stability – not to be confused with the EV’s Electronic Stability Control Sport (ESC Sport) system – which helps stabilize the EV during cornering maneuvers by sensing loss of traction and applying brakes to individual wheels. It can also be turned off for a “more authentic” racetrack experience, aka drifting.

There is so much more to unpack here as Hyundai N has put a lot of new and exciting performance technology into its first production EV model, so we highly recommend checking out the company’s full press release to learn more.

If you happen to be in the UK attending Goodwood this year, be sure to stop by the Hyundai N booth and see the souped-up IONIQ 5 in person – and send me pics, please!

Two huge factors we don’t know yet – range and price. That is sure to come later as Hyundai moves closer to getting this N version into scaled production and out to motor sport enthusiasts.

Who knows? Perhaps we can get this one out on a track and see what sort of trouble we can get into with it. Stay tuned!

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Uber chooses first market to deploy its Lucid Gravity robotaxis featuring Nuro Driver

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Uber chooses first market to deploy its Lucid Gravity robotaxis featuring Nuro Driver

Three months after Uber, Lucid Motors, and Nuro announced a partnership that would enable Gravity SUV robotaxis, the rideshare network has shared where the public will first be able to hail one. Spoiler alert, it’s easy to guess if you give it half a thought.

As we reported in July, Uber Technologies committed to a $300 million investment in Lucid Group (parent company of American EV automaker Lucid Motors), to deploy at least 20,000 Lucid vehicles as robotaxis over the next six years.

Those Lucid vehicles, which will consist of the automaker’s flagship Gravity SUV to begin, will hit public roads equipped with a Level 4 autonomous system called Nuro Driver. Nuro, the third partner in this equation, is a robotics company specializing in zero-occupant delivery vehicles, which garnered an existing partnership with Uber Eats as well as a “hefty” (yet undisclosed) investment from Uber Technologies.

Last month, Lucid delivered its first Gravity SUV to Nuro to begin the retrofitting process of the Nuro Driver system to support Uber’s hopes for a luxe robotaxi fleet. While the partners continue to work toward building an exciting new fleet of Lucid Gravity Robotaxis, Uber has shared the location where they will first go into service… Casper, Wyoming.

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Just kidding!

It’s the San Francisco Bay Area, of course.

Lucid-first-EV-Uber
Lucid Gravity SUV fitted with Nuro’s self-driving tech (Source: Lucid)

Uber to deploy Lucid Gravity EVs in Bay Area in 2026

Today’s update from Uber expands upon the ongoing partnership with Lucid Group and Nuro. According to the companies, the San Francisco Bay Area will be the first market where riders will see this next-generation autonomous robotaxi program in operation. That milestone is expected sometime in 2026.

Uber has shared that it has been updating policymakers and regulators at every level on the progress of its exclusive Lucid Robotaxis and continues to meet the operational requirements. Notably, Uber has shared that on-road development with the Lucid Gravity robotaxi engineering fleet is already underway in the Bay Area.

Furthermore, Nuro and Lucid intend to be operating over 100 Gravity robotaxis as part of the test fleet “in the coming months.” Lucid interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, spoke about today’s announcement:

Lucid has always celebrated its California roots, and we’re thrilled to make the San Francisco Bay Area the first market for our new robotaxi on the Uber platform, powered by the Nuro Driver. Beginning next year, riders will experience a level of convenience, safety, and comfort unlike anything else on the road. We can’t wait to bring this service to life and expand it to communities across the country.

To build this fleet of Uber-exclusive robotaxis, the required hardware will be integrated into Lucid Gravity SUVS while they are still on Lucid’s assembly line in Arizona. Those builds will then be integrated with Nuro’s proprietary software when Uber officially commissions them.

All eyes on 2026 as we now know that residents around the Bay Area will be able to hail a driverless Lucid Gravity through the Uber platform. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this fleet in action.

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Quiet confidence: Bobcat announces new EA line of industrial air compressors

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Quiet confidence: Bobcat announces new EA line of industrial air compressors

With its new EA line of variable speed industrial air compressors and superior energy efficiency from their advanced electric motors, industrial equipment Bobcat is setting a new standard for job site performance.

Designed for top-tier flow rates and maximum energy efficiency, Bobcat says its new EA lineup of variable speed compressors – the EA30VS, EA50VS, EA75VS, and EA100VS – is built to meet the demanding needs of modern industrial operations. But, crucially, the new EA line is about more than efficient motors, quiet running, and precise speed variation. It’s about tech.

To that end, the EA Series is equipped with a full range of “smart” operational features controlled through a 7″, full color LED controller display for intuitive operation. This system allows connection to, and intelligent optimization of, up to three additional compressors, ensuring the entire compressed air system operates at peak performance based on demand so perators can easily customize performance with programmable scheduling by date, time and pressure bands – delivering precision control with minimal effort.

And, of course, the whole system is backed by Bobcat’s global warranties, international parts and dealer networks, and commitment to durability and service. 

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“The new EA Series represents a leap forward in industrial air compression technology for Bobcat,” said Cody Blythe, Bobcat product manager. “These machines offer exceptional flow rates paired with peak energy efficiency, providing our customers with a powerful solution that lowers their total cost of ownership through reduced electricity usage.”

Bobcat says its new EA line of variable speed compressors are available now at select Bobcat distributors, contact your local dealer for pricing.

Electrek’s Take


Bobcat is leading the charge to decarbonize job sites, delivering quiet, smooth-running machines for operators who value safety, performance, precision, and sustainability. The company is also among the few manufacturers replacing hydraulic systems with fully electric ones, further reducing oil use and eliminating idle warm‑up time.

You love to see it.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Bobcat.


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LiveWire reveals more details on its new lowerer cost S4 Honcho electric motorcycle

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LiveWire reveals more details on its new lowerer cost S4 Honcho electric motorcycle

LiveWire, the electric motorcycle brand spun out of Harley-Davidson, has just given us a closer look than ever at its upcoming lower-cost, smaller-format electric motorcycles ahead of their larger unveiling at the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA) next week.

While we got our first glimpse of the new machines earlier this summer, spotting a street and trail version of the smaller electric motorbikes, now we have a name for the models and a few more details.

Officially called the S4 Honcho, the new model will be a 125-cc equivalent that will be available in both a street-legal version capable of being operated by riders who possess a moped/light motorcycle license in Europe or a motorcycle license in the US, and a license-free off-road version.

“The S4 Honcho Street will qualify for A1 licenses in Europe and the UK and M-endorsement in the U.S., offering lightweight, urban-friendly electric mobility with intuitive performance and removable batteries,” explained the company.

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The bikes appear to be powered by a centrally-mounted, chain-driving electric motor and a pair of removable batteries accessed by flipping up the seat.

LiveWire has remained fairly tight-lipped regarding the major tech specs for the bikes, as well as the price, but we do get a look at the dual removable batteries thanks to a new image posted to the company’s website.

There, we can see what appears suspiciously similar to a pair of KYMCO Ionex batteries, which would make sense given LiveWire’s close partnership with the Taiwanese scooter giant.

A couple years ago at EICMA I had the chance to check out KYMCO’s new Ionex batteries and e-scooter platform firsthand, which you can see in the video below.

While excitement has been building for LiveWire’s smaller electric motorcycles, the full unveiling of the bikes’ performance figures as well as the price tag will prove critical for gauging whether or not the mini-bikes could be a major turning point for LiveWire’s elusive profitability.

But the company isn’t betting it all on one horse, or one Honcho. Also in attendance at the show will be LiveWire’s full-scale concept of an electric maxiscooter built on the same S2 architecture that powers the company’s currently best-selling models, the S2 Del Mar, S2 Mulholland, and S2 Alpinista.

That scooter, built in partnership with KYMCO, will leverage the company’s fully developed S2 platform to create a more comfortable, high-performance urban and suburban-oriented model.

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