RN24: When Hyundai’s Engineers Just Want to Have Fun

The automotive world has its fair share of exciting jobs, but perhaps none rival the thrill of being an engineer in Hyundai’s N division. Imagine showing up to work only to be told your mission today is to cram 641 electric horsepower into a shortened rally-car platform, discard the doors, and turn the rear fenders into a soundbox for a bit of extra fun. Such is the nature of Hyundai’s RN24 project – a truly wild creation that embodies the automaker’s bold, no-compromise philosophy for performance EVs.

Just unveiled at this year’s N Day event, the RN24 is the latest addition to Hyundai’s “rolling lab” series. This experimental lineup has produced radical vehicles like the RM19, a 390-hp mid-engine Veloster, and the RN22e, a track-focused 580-hp electric sedan based on the Ioniq 6. Each new “rolling lab” vehicle brings something fresh to the table, combining high-performance engineering with experimental design. The RN24 may be the boldest example yet: a rally-inspired, tire-shredding EV that doesn’t just flirt with the edges of street-legal practicality – it outright ignores them.

Stripped Down, Amped Up: The RN24’s Wild Aesthetic

At first glance, the RN24 looks like a mashup between a rally car, a stripped-down exoskeleton racer, and something you might see tearing up a backyard dirt track. Far from subtle, this EV isn’t hiding behind any bodywork; instead, it’s boldly minimalist, revealing the high-tech guts of its Ioniq 5 N powertrain. In fact, it’s like someone took an Ioniq 5 N, reduced it by 15 inches, dipped it in acid, and kept only the essentials to make it go – fast.

The platform itself borrows heavily from Hyundai’s WRC i20 hybrid rally car. If you’re familiar with the Ioniq 5’s size and stance, the RN24’s transformation into this smaller, rally-ready beast is even more impressive. What remains is purpose-built for raw speed, featuring all-wheel-drive with a rally mode and no shortage of track-ready performance cues. It’s the kind of creation you’d expect from a custom shop or even Hoonigan, but it’s rolling straight out of Hyundai’s official engineering labs – a testament to the brand’s commitment to performance at the extreme edges of electric vehicle technology.

The Electric Powertrain: 641 Horsepower of Pure Adrenaline

The RN24 shares its powertrain with the Ioniq 5 N, which is already an overachiever among EVs. But while the Ioniq 5 N packs its performance into a stylish and road-friendly form, the RN24 ditches the street car restraints in favor of a shorter, more aggressive package. With a monstrous 641 electric horsepower channeled through its four-wheel-drive system, the RN24 isn’t just fast – it’s designed for the kind of driving that shreds tires and leaves clouds of dust in its wake.

This powertrain also includes an electric handbrake, a feature tested in the high-stakes world of WRC. This addition allows for more aggressive driving dynamics, giving drivers the ability to throw the RN24 into corners and control slides with surgical precision. The combination of high torque, AWD, and advanced handling capabilities make the RN24 a serious contender for track-based rally events, and a thrill ride for anyone lucky enough to take the wheel.

A Soundtrack Worthy of Its Power

Hyundai has gone above and beyond to make sure the RN24 doesn’t just perform well – it sounds the part too. Taking the Ioniq 5 N’s active sound system, engineers ran the audio through two external speakers, amplifying the growl by using the rear fenders as a resonating soundbox. This touch may be largely unnecessary, but it’s a perfect reflection of the RN24’s overall vibe – a car that’s as focused on delivering an adrenaline-packed experience as it is on breaking EV norms.

This sound enhancement is the final piece in the RN24’s sensory overload experience. EVs are often critiqued for their lack of engine noise, but Hyundai has managed to inject a sense of aggression and thrill into this all-electric rally monster, proving that electric doesn’t have to mean silent or soulless.

Motorsports DNA and Track-Ready Features

The RN24 brings together a suite of parts and technologies borrowed from Hyundai’s various motorsport programs, including a massive rear wing borrowed from the Elantra Touring Car Racing (TCR) model. This TCR-inspired addition provides much-needed downforce, keeping the RN24 stable even when pushing the limits of speed and maneuverability.

On top of that, the RN24’s AWD system includes a rally mode, which is essentially an electronic version of the torque control used in Hyundai’s i20 WRC car. This feature allows the RN24 to achieve a level of control and responsiveness on par with professional rally cars, giving drivers the ability to tackle corners with confidence and even pull off some sideways action.

A Statement of Purpose (and Fun)

Officially, Hyundai’s N brand takes its name from the Nürburgring – where many of these performance vehicles are tested – and Namyang, Hyundai’s R&D hub in South Korea. But with the RN24, “N” could easily stand for “No Holds Barred.” The rolling lab vehicles aren’t designed to be production models but to serve as test beds bridging Hyundai’s motorsports pursuits with future consumer-ready innovations. Yet, there’s a sense that Hyundai’s engineers are also out to have a little fun, creating boundary-pushing vehicles simply because they can.

This passion for performance, combined with Hyundai’s willingness to embrace unconventional designs, results in cars like the RN24 that break the mold and redefine what’s possible for EVs. From its stripped-down exterior to its 641 horsepower motor and everything in between, the RN24 Rolling Test Lab isn’t just a car – it’s a declaration of what Hyundai’s N division is capable of when unrestrained by production demands or practicality.

Paving the Way for the Future of High-Performance EVs

The RN24 may be one of the most daring electric concepts from a major automaker to date. Hyundai’s rolling lab program shows that the brand isn’t just committed to competing in the EV space – it’s determined to lead, innovate, and excite. In a landscape where many automakers are prioritizing efficiency and range, Hyundai is diving headfirst into the performance side of EVs, reminding the world that electrification doesn’t have to mean the end of excitement behind the wheel.

For automotive enthusiasts, Hyundai’s rolling labs provide a glimpse into a thrilling future, where EVs can be just as exhilarating, loud, and boundary-breaking as their combustion counterparts. The RN24 stands as proof that Hyundai’s N division is one of the most exciting places to be for engineers and drivers alike – a playground for those who see EVs not just as a technology shift but as an opportunity for pure, unadulterated automotive fun.