motoring news Bahrainthismonth.com January 2024 49 HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 N NAMED CAR OF THE YEAR Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N electric hyper hatch has made a storming start to life by being crowned Car of the Year at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards. The IONIQ 5 N was revealed earlier this year at July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it received universal acclaim as a pioneering technological blueprint for the Hyundai N division’s EV future. The high-performance model combines the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the standard IONIQ 5 – the 2022 World Car of the Year – with N’s motorsport-bred technologies and expertise. This unswerving focus on delivering maximum excitement behind the wheel persuaded TopGear’s expert team of judges to name the car the best of 2023. Among the IONIQ 5 N’s array of key technical advances that won over the judges is a powertrain which delivers greater power output and enhanced performance in battery cooling and braking. The IONIQ 5 N’s electric motors spin up to 21,000 RPM, providing up to 609 PS in normal conditions, or 650 PS when the car’s N Grin Boost (NGB) feature is engaged, maximising acceleration for up to 10 seconds; 0-62mph is achievable in 3.4 seconds, while a top speed of 161mph is attainable on tracks. The IONIQ 5 N’s success marks the second time in three years that a Hyundai N car has taken the Top Gear Car of the Year honour, following the i20 N in 2021. KIA EV9 SHORTLISTED FOR 2024 CAR OF THE YEAR The Kia EV9 has been shortlisted for the final round of the 2024 Car of the Year (COTY) in Europe award. The all-electric SUV was provisionally listed among 28 new models launched this year and has now been selected by the 59 COTY jurors from 22 countries for the seven-strong shortlist. Like the multiple award-winning electric crossover, the Kia EV6, the allelectric Kia EV9 is based on the dedicated E-GMP platform. One of the first seven-seater electric vehicles on the market, the EV9 offers a spacious interior with lounge-like comfort. In terms of range, the EV9 is the perfect companion for family trips, as it can cover up to 563km on one battery charge. Due to its 800V technology, the 99.8-kWh battery receives 249km of battery range in 15 minutes, offering exceptional efficiency for its class. The overall COTY winner will be announced on February 26 at the Geneva International Motor Show. THE NEW MCLAREN GTS McLaren has revealed the new GTS, which joins the McLaren line-up as a replacement for the GT. At just 1,520kg (DIN) the GTS is the lightest car in its class and has a segment best power-to-weight ratio of 418PS per-tonne. The power of the V8 M840TE 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine has been elevated to 635PS at 7,500rpm, the additional 15PS coming from increased crankshaft torque enabled by more aggressive combustion phasing and revised ignition timing. A launch-control function is standard; when enabled, the GTS hits 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in only 3.2 seconds and 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in just 8.9 seconds. The maximum speed of the GTS is 326km/h (203mph). The GTS also has a seven-speed SSG transmission that provides smooth, seamless and rapid shifts in default-from-start-up Comfort mode, ensuring relaxing yet brisk acceleration. Retaining the core McLaren attractions of beautiful yet functional design, class-leading power-toweight ratio – enabled by lightweight carbon fibre construction centred on a unique monocoque chassis – and unmatched driving dynamics, the new GTS is also visually even more powerful and offers increased choice of exterior and interior specification. An accomplished and functional approach to a lightweight McLaren supercar, the new GTS takes its place in a McLaren line-up that will continue evolving in 2024 and beyond.
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