Hyundai has thrown down the gauntlet with its latest concept, the RN24—a radical, stripped-down EV that fuses rally prowess with electric speed. Born from Hyundai’s “Rolling Lab” legacy, the RN24 concept is no ordinary EV; it’s a barely-tamed beast combining the brutal efficiency of the Ioniq 5 N’s electric powertrain with a rally-inspired chassis that defies typical EV norms.
The RN24 concept retains the dual-motor and battery setup of the Ioniq 5 N but sheds the hefty crossover body for a lightweight exoskeleton and a bespoke chassis derived from Hyundai’s World Rally Championship (WRC) ventures. Even with a chopped wheelbase—13.3 inches shorter than the Ioniq 5 N—the RN24 manages to squeeze in an 84-kWh battery. Yet, thanks to ruthless engineering, it drops a massive 772 lbs compared to its sibling, tipping the scales at just over 4,144 lbs.
Visually, the RN24 is loaded with motorsport DNA. It rolls on sleek, forged 19-inch wheels borrowed from the Elantra N and sports an aggressive rear spoiler straight off Hyundai’s TCR race car. But the RN24 is far more than a striking figure. It boasts a Powertrain Drive Control Logic system that allows drivers to fine-tune power delivery, axle balance, acceleration response, and regenerative braking—all controlled via steering wheel-mounted buttons. Rally Mode transforms this high-performance EV into a torque-distributing, four-wheel-drive powerhouse, closely mimicking the rally handling of Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1.
And while it’s electric, the RN24 still delivers a visceral, racecar-like roar, courtesy of external speakers and custom rear fender soundboxes, making this EV sound as fierce as it drives. Exploding from 0-62 mph in under 3.4 seconds and topping out at 149 mph, the RN24 is built to dominate both straightaways and hairpin turns alike.
Hyundai has no plans to mass-produce this extreme machine, but the RN24 isn’t just a one-off prototype. Instead, it’s a bold statement, paving the way for Hyundai’s vision of high-performance EVs that could soon redefine electric motorsport—think of it as a blueprint for the next-gen Ioniq 6 N and beyond.
