Hyundai’s N sub-brand is known for delivering motorsport-derived hi-po versions of their everyday models, much like BMW’s M division.

Their latest, and first EV offering, is the IONIQ5 N, and we’re still cooling down from our trial run at California’s iconic Laguna Seca race circuit.

“The IONIQ5 N is not just a sporty version of Hyundai’s popular EV, it’s a track-focused performance car. Every bit of the suspension is different, the ride height is lowered, even the battery sits a half-inch lower. They’ve added more welds and structural adhesive to make the chassis stiffer. In effect, it’s what you can’t see that you feel on the race track.”

Built using the same E-GMP platform as the regular IONIQ 5 and its Kia EV6 cousin, the 5 N incorporates a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, fed by a stronger 84 kilowatt-hour battery. The result is a total system output of 448 kilowatts, or 601 horsepower.

But it gets better..

The N Grin Boost button adds 40 horsepower for 10-second bursts. And believe me, that’s power you can feel on the straights and up the hills at Laguna Seca.

Steering has also been improved, featuring a special Rack-Mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering system, providing a quicker ratio and better feedback.

For those unaccustomed to the sensations of EV driving, the lack of a transmission means there’s no gear shifting to be done. While that’s still true for the 5 N, Hyundai added an N e-shift feature, including paddle shifters, which mimics the feel of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The high-tech wizardry continues with N Active Sound+, pumping one of three realistic sound tracks through the speakers to provide drivers with an acoustic reference point. It sounds good in theory, and after some getting used to, actually works in practice. The familiar rhythm of an ICE engine revving and shifting did help our driver get in sync with the car.

While specs are nice to chat about, on track it’s put up or shut up, and we think the IONIQ5 N has plenty to say. Grip is great from the 21” Pirelli P Zeros, braking is strong and consistent, and while you definitely feel the car’s 4800 pounds of ground-hugging weight, it feels nimble, tossable and brisk, if not blindingly fast.

The IONIQ 5’s 350 kiloWatt charging speed carries over to the N, enabling 10-80 percent recharges in 18 minutes. Hyundai has plans to install fast chargers on-site at a number of race tracks, again walking the talk to make track attack days a real option for IONIQ5 N buyers.

Speaking of which, IONIQ5 N pricing will start at $67,475 with destination.

Keep it locked on MotorWeek for our full road test treatment, soon.