Hyundai Doesn't Care That the Ioniq 6 N Doesn't Make the Most Financial Sense

by Chris Teague

Published: July 15th, 2025

hyundai doesn t care that the ioniq 6 n doesn t make the most financial sense

Most new vehicles have to make financial sense before they can enter serial production, but occasionally, automakers understand that vibes are more important than the bottom line. Hyundai’s taking that approach with the new Ioniq 6 N, telling its engineers and designers to “do it,” regardless of the dollars and cents.

The head of Hyundai’s Performance Development Tech Unit, Manfred Harrer, said the car is aimed at more than turning a profit. “These are small volumes, and we also hit the limit regarding affordability for our customer base and fans face reality. We know this. Normally. You’re always running the business case first, and the investment, and the material cost, and the volume behind it. And normally in the automotive industry, you’re often very limited on this. But here, it was clear if we have the ideas to improve the car, make it faster, improve the performance, make it easier to drive, do it.”

The upcoming Ioniq 6 N gets the rowdy dual-motor setup out of the Ioniq 5 N, but the sleeker 6 promises better performance thanks to improved aerodynamics. Hyundai quotes a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph. The car will also feature the same electronic goodies that the 5 offers, including simulated shifts, a drift mode, and temporary boost settings.

[Images: Hyundai]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.

#Hyundai #Ioniq6N #HyundaiIoniq

Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

More by Chris Teague

Comments

Join the conversation

4 of 8 comments

Zerofoo on Jul 15, 2025

I don't think Toyota made any money on the first-gen Prius. That car seemed to work out OK for them in the long-run.

Like Reply
- JMII on Jul 15, 2025
  
  But the Prius was a main stream commuter type vehicle using new hybrid tech. A gamble on it was a bold move but Toyota was betting on the future, so it had to be done. The Ioniq 6 N is race tuned EV sedan which makes almost no sense, both from a market segment and financial one. Who wants such a thing - and is Hyundai making money on it? Similar to the C8 ZR1X story this appears to be a case of "we can do it, so hey why not".
  
  1
- FreedMike on Jul 15, 2025
  
  The original Lexus LS400 was a money loser, from what I understand. Toyota clearly isn't afraid of playing the long game, and neither is Hyundai. Good on them. American auto manufacturers could stand to be a lot less risk averse - if they were, we'd get a better selection of interesting cars, not just another f'ing truck.
  
  2
EBFlexing on ur mom on Jul 15, 2025

Just another boring, soulless ev

1 Reply
- Bd2 on Jul 17, 2025
  
  Not according to pretty much every review...
  
  Like

Recent Comments

Andarris Here in the Toronto area I haven't seen a 2006-2012 with intact rocker pannels for over two years now. I presume everywhere around the Great Lakes is the same ? They were super cheap dhring the first two years of the pandemic - could get one with less than 85K for around $6500 certified or a little higher mileage for $5000. Glad I skipped it, even in 2021 some of the 10's &11's were displaying corosion like you'd see on a 7 year older Impala, Camry or Accord. Also the mid-model switch to EPS made me balk at the few clean ones I found.
Kjhkjlhkjhkljh kljhjkhjklhkjh I do not ever have delays. I only fly out of PDX or EUG to LAS or OAK and OGG then back .. have never been delayed in the last ?30-ish? trips to vegas/disneyland/maui/cruise ship vacations.... EUG has contract tsa so we never have any TSA delays. unsure which airports have PRIVATE contract TSA that is UNAFFECTED by the deadlock that i HOPE NEVER EVER END.
Big Al from Oz gidday mites how are yall feelin today? Want to have a barbie? We are right here gettin dee fire ready
Michael S6 The 3 Amigos better hope that the oil spike is short lived as 4-5 dollar a gallon gas would put a damper on their cash cows especially "Ford's strategic shift" of killing off the escape/Lincoln cousin. Most other automakers have a full line of vehicles with much better full economy. GM is sucking air and its Cadillac devision is mostly EV and geriatric line up of ICE cars and SUV's that were supposed to be phased out this year. The expensive gas may push shoppers toward EV but GM's horrible EV reliability is a barrier.
Tane94 I read the GM press release about first quarter sales 2026 vs 2025 and Buick is getting its butt kicked:Buick Total* 41,654 61,822 -32.6 The future is bleak for Buick.