This Hyundai Ioniq 6 N tearing up the track could fool you into forgetting it’s an electric vehicle. The best part of being an automotive journalist is constantly being surrounded by people who share my passion for cars, racing, and anything with wheels. The worst part is that, precisely, it can often feel like living in a bubble, with few outside opinions, you know, those from “normal” people. So I deliberately seek out conversations with people who aren’t passionate about cars and who, to be honest, don’t know much about them. The results are often both amusing and enlightening.
The Perfect Illusion of the Simulated Manual Transmission
But what does this have to do with this video of Randy Pobst propelling the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N up the Goodwood hill climb? Let me explain. As you may know, the high-end Ioniq N models are equipped with a simulated manual transmission. It responds to gear shifts, up and down, just like a combustion-powered sports car, while producing engine noises that convince you you’re not driving an electric vehicle.
A Deceptive and Realistic Sensory Experience
Watching Randy Pobst shift through gears while the Ioniq 6 N screams its artificial melody is highly entertaining. The simulated sound is punchy, and the gear changes sync perfectly with the paddle shifts. Moreover, shifting gears directly influences the sound, creating an incredibly realistic synergy.
Would You Be Fooled by This Performance?
It made me think: if you showed this video to someone unaware that the Ioniq 6 N is electric, could they be tricked into thinking it’s a conventional combustion-engine car? I believe the answer is yes. The real question is: could a person with no automotive knowledge, behind the wheel of the Ioniq 6 N with all its sound effects and simulated gear changes, believe they’re driving a gasoline-powered car? I still think the answer is yes.
There’s no right or wrong answer here, and for what it’s worth, this is a fairly light observation from me. But it’s what I thought while watching this video. What about you, what do you think?