The IONIQ 5 N Takes on the Mecca of Performance Cars
- Hyundai Motor Company
- 2026.01.06
- 분량12min
- 조회수 3,569Views
Japan stands as a mecca of high-performance and tuning culture. On its legendary roads, a Korean high-performance electric vehicle takes on an unconventional challenge. Behind the wheel of the IONIQ 5 N is Mr. Cho sun-gu, recently competing in Japan’s time attack races.
At the heart of the Yokohama Daikoku Parking Area along Japan’s Metropolitan Expressway loop, widely known as a mecca for tuning culture, lies a gathering place beneath massive spiral overpasses. As night falls, legendary classic cars, heavily tuned machines, and the latest supercars converge, turning the space into a playground for automotive enthusiasts. Long dominated by the heat and roar of internal-combustion legends, the scene is momentarily interrupted by an unexpected silence. A Performance Blue vehicle makes its quiet entrance. It is the IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai Motor Company’s high-performance electric vehicle.
What stands out is that this car is no temporary visitor to Japan. In a market where the adoption of electric vehicles has been relatively slow, it wears local license plates and blends into everyday driving on Japanese roads. As it draws the curious attention of Japanese car enthusiasts across the heart of the country, one question naturally follows: who is the owner of this daring EV? Stepping out from the driver’s seat is Mr. Cho sun-gu, who is taking on the challenge of Japan’s time attack racing scene.
A former drift driver active in both Korea and Japan, Cho now leads Dspec, a tuning shop that also operates as a motorsports team. After competing in Attack Tsukuba, Japan’s best-known time attack competition, with the Hyundai Elantra N in 2024, he took on a new challenge in 2025 with the IONIQ 5 N delivered locally in Japan. In a country often described as a paradise for high-performance and tuned cars, we met Mr. Cho sun-gu as he enjoys car life with a Korean high-performance electric vehicle.
Buying a Korean EV in Japan
Japan presents exceptionally high barriers to imported vehicles, particularly electric vehicles. Strong loyalty to domestic brands, combined with narrow streets and limited parking space, has resulted in the overwhelming dominance of kei cars, while hybrid vehicles continue to far outnumber EVs. Adding to this is Japan’s status as a mecca of tuning culture, where high-performance options range from legendary sports cars with decades of history to the latest imported supercars.
Amid such an array of attractive options, Cho chose the IONIQ 5 N as his partner and entered Attack Tsukuba 2025, held early last year. What led him to make that choice?
“I wanted to take on a race in Japan with a Korean car, a Korean tuning brand, and a Korean driver. After more than 20 years working in tuning and experiencing a wide range of vehicles, EVs had honestly felt like little more than economical but boring cars to me. They simply did not offer the joy of driving. That perception changed the moment I first encountered the IONIQ 5 N. Beyond the distinction between engine and motor; it was a car that genuinely delivered pleasure behind the wheel.”
As Cho sun-gu explains, the IONIQ 5 N has earned a reputation as a game changer that challenges conventional views of electric vehicles. It is not merely an EV built for straight-line speed, but a car that delivers the joy of attacking corners and commanding the track. Yet the plan to purchase the IONIQ 5 N locally in Japan was not in place from the beginning. The decision was shaped by an unexpected backstory—one both bittersweet and revealing of his unyielding determination.
“Originally, I planned to set up the car in Korea and ship it over on a car carrier. Then, without warning, the shipping company changed its regulations, making it impossible to transport electric vehicles. I briefly considered giving up, but I was determined to take on the challenge with this car. That is why I decided to purchase the IONIQ 5 N locally in Japan.”
Even when transporting the car by ship was no longer an option, Cho’s determination to compete remained firm, prompting him to proceed with a local purchase without hesitation. Rather than caution, he was met with strong encouragement from those around him. Many were eager to see how a Korean high-performance EV would perform in Japan.
59.8 Seconds: A Class Proven by Numbers
It did not take long for his decision to prove itself right. Behind the wheel of his newly delivered IONIQ 5 N, Mr. Cho sun-gu headed to Tsukuba Circuit, a legendary battleground for tuned cars. Measuring just over two kilometers in length, the compact circuit is deceptively demanding, combining hairpins with a variety of corners that place a premium on balance and cornering performance. At the time attack event held here, Attack Tsukuba, recording a lap time under one minute is considered a symbolic achievement among tuned cars.
At Attack Tsukuba, Team Dspec pushed the IONIQ 5 N beyond the daunting one-minute mark, posting a lap time of 59.8 seconds—an achievement that even local tuned cars often struggle to match. What makes the result particularly striking is that it was achieved with only minor modifications.
“EVs are still difficult to tune for higher output in the same way as internal-combustion cars. It is also not easy to reduce weight in any dramatic way. Extreme tuning that gives up road usability can shave weight, but that was never our goal. We wanted to challenge Tsukuba Circuit within a tuning range that anyone could realistically attempt. We reinforced the car with suspension and brakes from a Korean brand, ad-ded downforce with a carbon splitter and rear spoiler to increase cornering speed, and downsized the wheels from 21 to 20 inches while increasing their width. That was essentially all we did. Even the tires were products that anyone can easily purchase.”
With the aim of taking on Japan using a Korean car and Korean tuning technology, Cho validated the IONIQ 5 N’s hardware potential. Breaking the one-minute barrier without extensive modifications served as clear proof that the IONIQ 5 N, even in its production form, already delivers a fully realized level of performance.
Recognized by a Racing Legend
Mr. Cho sun-gu was not the only one to recognize the car’s potential. Nobuteru Taniguchi, a living legend of Japanese motorsports, also took the wheel of the IONIQ 5 N to compete in Attack Tsukuba 2025. Driving for Hyundai N in the IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec, he set a new electric-vehicle record with a lap time of 57.4 seconds. How did the Japanese motorsports icon assess the appeal of this high-performance EV?
Q. We understand that you worked with Hyundai Motor Company even before the IONIQ 5 N was launched in Japan. Did you offer any specific advice during that process?
A. Nobuteru Taniguchi | Honestly, I did not say anything at all. (Laughs) Before the IONIQ 5 N was officially launched in Japan, Hyundai invited me for a private preview drive at Fuji Speedway. Even then, the level of completion was already extremely high. It felt like a car that allowed me to enjoy both grip driving and drifting exactly the way I wanted. To be frank, it was so well finished that it was difficult to point out any areas that needed improvement.
Q. Did you find it challenging to attack the circuit with an electric vehicle?
A. Nobuteru Taniguchi | Even on the first light run at Tsukuba Circuit, the car recorded a lap time of 1 minute 4 seconds. It is certainly not a lightweight car, but the IONIQ 5 N is an EV that is extremely easy to drive and delivers strong power. Acceleration is impressive, braking feels very stable, and cornering performance is excellent. Unlike many heavy vehicles, it remains well controlled on corner exit, allowing confident acceleration.
Q. Did you feel confident about setting a new EV record at Tsukuba?
A. Nobuteru Taniguchi | To be honest, during the test runs earlier that morning, we recorded a lap time in the 58-second range, surpassing the previous EV record of 59.598 seconds. By the time of the official run, I was not even sure I could beat that time. Still, with so many spectators watching, I pushed myself harder. The car’s cornering and corner-exit performance were already excellent, so I focused on braking. With cars this heavy, time attack runs often involve braking mistakes, but with this car, I could confidently brake deep into the corners. That confidence ultimately allowed us to set a new EV record of 57.446 seconds.
Q. What do you believe allows the IONIQ 5 N to deliver such strong performance?
A. Nobuteru Taniguchi | After meeting and speaking with the team at Hyundai N who developed the IONIQ 5 N, I could immediately tell that they are true car enthusiasts. It was a team united by a clear desire to create a more enjoyable car, a car you can truly play with, and a car made for people who love driving. Cars built by teams like that naturally deliver strong performance and enjoyment. While reality may present more constraints over time, I hope Hyundai N continues to focus on building cars that are genuinely fun to drive.
Captivated Japanese Car Enthusiasts
Even beyond the circuit, the presence of Mr. Cho sun-gu and his IONIQ 5 N was unmistakable. The response was especially evident at Daikoku Parking Area and Umihotaru Parking Area, two iconic gathering spots for Japanese car enthusiasts near Tokyo.
These are far from ordinary highway rest areas. As night falls, Daikoku Parking Area becomes the heart of Japan’s automotive culture, drawing hundreds of cars of every kind. Umihotaru Parking Area, an artificial island floating midway along the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line linking Tokyo and Chiba, also serves as a meeting ground for car enthusiasts and the climax of a memorable drive.
Surrounded by internal-combustion cars steeped in decades of history, the arrival of a Performance Blue IONIQ 5 N drew curious glances and a subtle sense of tension. Standing out vividly against the gray tones of this megacity, the blue Korean EV felt both unfamiliar and undeniably compelling. Cho explained what makes the IONIQ 5 N stand out so clearly among a crowd of high-performance gasoline-powered cars.
“I have been to these places many times before, driving a wide range of cars such as the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Elantra N, the Toyota GR Yaris, GR Supra, and the Mazda MX-5. But the IONIQ 5 N feels completely different. You can genuinely feel people’s eyes on it. Some stop to take photos as they walk by, while others take pictures from their cars while waiting at traffic lights. When I plug it in to charge, people come up and ask, ‘Wait, is this an EV?’ Watching their reactions shift from curiosity to surprise is what makes it so enjoyable.”
Mr. Cho sun-gu was confident that the IONIQ 5 N’s driving enjoyment and overall refinement would resonate with drivers in Japan.
“More car enthusiasts recognize the IONIQ 5 N than you might expect. Many tell me that the drift show run at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon and the record-setting EV lap at Attack Tsukuba 2025 left a strong impression on them. It is not just race drivers or circuit officials—tuned-car owners and even ordinary passersby who see the car often approach me with a flood of questions. And almost without exception, the conversation ends with the same words: ‘Hyundai, sugoi ne,’ which means ‘impressive.’”
The reaction on site was closer to admiration than mere interest. Local car enthusiasts encountered at Daikoku Parking Area showed strong interest in the IONIQ 5 N’s design, commenting, “I had only seen it online, but it looks even better in person,” “It feels like a car from the future,” and “I love how high-tech the interior looks.” One visitor, unable to hide his surprise, remarked, “I have never seen such an impressive car. It truly feels like a vehicle from the future. I had heard it was fast, but I did not expect it to be that fast. Setting the fastest EV lap at Tsukuba Circuit—that is something else.”
An Appeal That Extends from Circuit to Everyday Driving
While the IONIQ 5 N fought for tenths of a second on the circuit, it transformed into an exceptionally comfortable daily driver on coastal roads near Tokyo and in city traffic. Unlike typical time attack cars that sacrifice everyday usability through radical modifications—such as removing seats and installing roll cages—the IONIQ 5 N retained its comfort even in daily driving. Mr. Cho sun-gu explained that this balance makes the IONIQ 5 N perfectly suited for everyday use.
“One thing I really like is how comfortably I can use Smart Cruise Control across a wide range of roads. Perhaps it is thanks to the orderly driving habits in Japan, but it works incredibly well here. The ride is comfortable enough for everyday driving, and on long journeys it noticeably reduces fatigue. I think the contrast between its commanding circuit performance and its calm, quiet road manners is part of the IONIQ 5 N’s appeal.”
Following the Elantra N and now the IONIQ 5 N, Mr. Cho sun-gu’s continued journey abroad extends beyond circuit life, underscoring the idea that genuine passion for cars knows no borders. His next idea is another surprising one: a reverse import. He is considering bringing a right-hand-drive IONIQ 5 N, originally sold for the Japanese market, back to Korea.
“It is not finalized yet, but I am thinking about bringing this car back to Korea. A right-hand-drive IONIQ 5 N running on Korean roads—the only one of its kind. Just imagining it is already fun, do you not think?”
He also strongly encouraged Korean EV owners to experience life on the circuit. In Japan, electric-vehicle motorsports have been gaining momentum since 2021 with the launch of EV GP, the All-Japan electric vehicle racing series where EVs from brands such as Hyundai, Tesla, Honda, and Nissan compete head-to-head. He expressed hope that Korea, too, will see a thriving culture of enjoying the circuit with electric vehicles.
“EV GP is organized directly by the Japan Electric Vehicle Racing Association and is helping to lead the growth of EV motorsports culture in Japan. I really hope Korean EV owners will experience circuit driving for themselves as well. Without worrying about fuel costs or oil changes, you can enjoy performance that rivals—or even surpasses—that of high-performance internal-combustion cars. To me, the IONIQ 5 N is an incredibly appealing and enjoyable car, regardless of the drivetrain. I hope many people have the opportunity to experience that for themselves.”
Having explored Japan behind the wheel, we now look forward to the day he appears on Korean roads in a Japan-spec IONIQ 5 N. As he puts it, “Engine or motor—it does not matter, as long as it is a fun car.” True to those words, his extraordinary car life will continue to evolve freely, crossing borders without pause.
Text. Shin Hwa-seop
Video. HMG Journal
