This Hyundai Ioniq 6 N tearing up the track might make you believe it's not an electric vehicle.
Hyundai
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One of the greatest aspects of being an automotive journalist is that I am constantly surrounded by individuals who share my enthusiasm for cars, racing, and everything related to vehicles. On the downside, being in such a community can sometimes make me feel isolated from, you know, everyday people. Consequently, I make a conscious effort to connect with those who aren't passionate about cars and, frankly, know very little about them. The outcomes are often both amusing and enlightening.
Now, what does this have to do with the video of Randy Pobst racing the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N up the Goodwood Hillclimb? Let me explain.
As you might know, the high-performance Ioniq Ns feature a simulated manual transmission that responds to upshifts and downshifts much like a traditional gas-powered sports car, along with engine sounds that make you feel like you're driving something other than an electric vehicle. I haven’t had the chance to drive one, but nearly everyone in the office has, and they all praise it highly.
Watching Pobst shift gears while the Ioniq 6 N produces its loud artificial sound is quite entertaining. There's no doubt about Pobst’s incredible skills, and he genuinely seems to be enjoying himself. The simulated sound is quite compelling, and the shifts align perfectly with the paddle pulls. Additionally, the shifting itself influences the sound, making it all seem very realistic.
This led me to ponder: If you showed this video to someone unaware that the Ioniq 6 N is an EV, could they mistakenly believe it's a conventional internal combustion engine car? I think the answer is yes. It's not uncommon for someone to be misled by something they see on YouTube. The real question is: could an individual with no knowledge of cars drive an Ioniq 6 N—with all its fake engine sounds and shifting—and be convinced it’s a gasoline-powered vehicle? I still believe the answer is yes.
There’s no definitive right or wrong here, and to be honest, this may seem like a rather trivial observation on my part. However, it crossed my mind while watching the video, and I wanted to see how you all feel about it. Let me know in the comments.
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This Hyundai Ioniq 6 N tearing up the track might make you believe it's not an electric vehicle.
Seeing the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N speed up the Goodwood Hillclimb in this video is puzzling me.