SYDNEY: Come Sept 1-2, Hyundai's high performance Ioniq 5 N is set to make its debut Australian appearance at the World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC), following its recent global reveal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Legendary "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya of Japan will pilot Ioniq 5 N - the first all-electric model from the N brand - in a series of demonstration laps throughout the two-day event.
Tsuchiya is credited with inspiring and popularising the sport of drift globally, starting with a late-1970s video of Tsuchiya-san skilfully drifting his Toyota AE86.
Drifting to entertain the crowd on the final lap while competing in the All Japan Touring Car Championship in the 1980s cemented Tsuchiya's legend status and Drift King title and he went on to found the D1 Grand Prix, the first professional drift series.
Hyundai said the Ioniq 5 N's N Drift Optimiser feature, which helps maintain drift angle, is designed to make every driver feel like a Drift King.
"With a 478kW output and the legendary Keiichi Tsuchiya at the wheel, the fans are in for a great demonstration," said WTAC chief executive officer Ian Baker.
Hyundai will take over Sydney Motorsport Park's Amaroo South pit complex at WTAC, with a host of public displays and activities planned.
WTAC is the world's largest time attack racing festival, with a history dating back to 2010.
