Hyundai Ioniq 5 Sets Unique EV Altitude Change Record

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has set a new and unique EV record where it charted the 'Greatest altitude change by an electric car' at 5,802 metres.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV crossover has earned its spot in the Guinness Book of Records following a record attempt by Evo India organised by the Korean automaker’s India-based arm – Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL).

Specifically, the record charted here was for the ‘Greatest altitude change by an electric car’ at 5,802 metres. For which, HMIL supplied Evo India with an unmodified (pre-facelift) Ioniq 5, and the endeavour lasted roughly 14 days covering over 4,900 KM.

The attempt saw the Evo India team descend from 5,799 metres above sea level to 3 metres below sea level. The journey saw them drive through some of India's toughest terrains and climates across 14 days a over 4,900 KM in distance.

The attempt saw the Evo India team set off on their drive from India’s highest motorable point of 5,799 metres above sea level in Umling La, Ladakh. Said drive concluded in India’s lowest motorable point of 3 metres below sea level in Kuttanad, Kerala.

The journey saw the Ioniq 5 driven across challenging terrains and several extreme climate conditions. It included freezing temperatures and steep mountain passes of the Himalayas down to the humid coastal conditions of Kerala.

Representatives from Evo India, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and the Guinness Book of Records, commemorating the record attempt witht he Ioniq 5 EV in a special ceremony recently.

“At Hyundai, we are dedicated to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in e-mobility, and this record further reinforces our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’,” said HMIL’s MD Unsoo Kim at a recent ceremony held to commemorate this record attempt.

The pre-facelift Ioniq 5 model for India pictured packed a 72.6 kWh battery pack and a single e-motor setup yielding 217 PS and 350 NM outputs, 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 7.6 secs, as well as up to 631 KM of range with each full charge.

The Ioniq 5 model used in this attempt was a variant sold in the Indian market that paired the large 72.6 kWh battery pack with a single-motor setup.

In contrast, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) does not offer the same pre-facelifted Ioniq 5 locally that way. Instead, HSDM offers the 72.6 kWh battery pack solely in range-topping Ioniq 5 Max guise, which packs a much peppier and quicker dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup too and priced at RM270,558 sans insurance.

A face-lifted version of the Ioniq 5 EV crossover was unveiled earlier this year featuring a slightly enlarged 84 kWh battery pack instead. This version sports restyled bumpers, heightened rigidity and refinements, as well new sporty N Line and rugged XRT variants added too.