After being tested in extreme temperatures and locations and developed and tuned specifically at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Hyundai will take two production IONIQ 5 N models to Colorado for the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak Internation Hill Climb (PPIHC) on June 23rd. The pair will compete in the Electric Production SUV/Crossover class as part of a four-car effort.

Other than safety compliance changes such as the Recaro Pro Racer SPA Hans seats, Sabelt six-point HANS compatible seat belts and roll cages and fire suppression systems installed instead of rear seats, the cars being prepared for Pikes Peak are standard IONIQ 5 N models. The red paint seen in the pictures will also be replaced with a special Hyundai N livery.

Paul Dallenbach and Ron Zaras will pilot the cars up Pikes Peak and the pair have wildly different backgrounds in motorsport. Dallenbach has won the PPIHC eleven times and even set the over record in 1993. Zaras - a media personality and former Hoonigan executive - was chosen, as a motorsport enthusiast, to document his story of becoming a competitive racer.

“As a lifelong fan of rallying, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been a bucket list event to take part in from the first time I watched the film ‘Climb Dance’ on a 56k Internet connection,” said Zaras. “So, competing here for my first time ever in the IONIQ 5 N - with the support of the excellent teams at Hyundai - is an incredible honour. I’m thrilled to share my journey from young spectator to first time competitor along the way; challenging as that path may be.”

A second modified IONIQ 5 N will be revealed before the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring event on May 30th and two of these additional models will be driven by Dani Sordo and Robin Shute. Shute has experience of Pikes Peak as a four time overall winner and King of the Mountain title holdem, while Sordo is handy behind the wheel of a Hyundai as part of its World Rally Championship team.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place on June 23rd 2024.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Hyundai