Hyundai Wants To Bring Race Car Tech To Everyday Performance Cars

Hyundai’s N Division is on a roll and has moved beyond a junior performance marque to become a true benchmark in the performance world. The Ioniq 5 N is a prime example, setting a new standard for performance EVs and proving electric cars can be fun to drive without having six-figure price tags. Now, it seems Hyundai and its N division are on a mission to democratize cool performance technologies usually reserved for the most expensive BMW M and Mercedes-AMG products, as CarBuzz has discovered a patent for a steering wheel with built-in shift lights that will be attainable to the masses.

Filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) and published by both earlier this month, the concept of a steering wheel with built-in shift lights itself isn’t new. But Hyundai claims its construction is simpler and thus cheaper to build, making it easier to mass produce such a wheel. This means we may soon see this tech being rolled out across a plethora of mainstream models.

Simple Construction Reduces Cost And Complexity Of Manufacturing

The premise behind the wheel is simple, with the upper section featuring a cutout in the wheel rim into which an LED display can be inset. Onto this, a finishing panel with a lens can be easily attached, with a variety of materials – including carbon fiber – likely being used for the potential finish. But the simplest and yet most important detail is that the wiring for this wheel wouldn’t have to be built in from the get-go.

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Instead, Hyundai envisions the base wheel architecture having a groove into which the wiring could be installed only if necessary. This modular base would allow Hyundai to produce a single steering wheel for multiple vehicles, using economies of scale to reduce the overall manufacturing cost.

What Models Could It Be Used In?

Such steering wheels are not used for everyday vehicles; you don’t need to see shift lights when you’re driving an econobox or a luxury car. But Hyundai has several performance models, with the Ioniq 5 N and Elantra N being two of our favorites right now. Hyundai N has already previewed N Performance parts for the Ioniq 5 N, declaring that other models will get their own unique parts in due course, and with options already including carbon fiber wheels, lowering springs, and performance brake pads, we expect this performance wheel to be added in due course.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Base MSRP

$66,100

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

601 hp (641 hp N Grin Boost)

Torque

545 lb-ft (568 lb-ft N Grin Boost)

Drivetrain

AWD

0-60 MPH

3.2 seconds

Top Speed

162 mph

Expand

Curiously, the patent documentation shows the steering wheel of a Genesis G90, a luxury rival to the S-Class that we can’t in any world envision needing this sort of wheel. But Genesis has the potential for such a performance modification with its new Magma lineup. The luxury brand recently announced a Nurburgring Taxi service and spoke to us about how Magma models wouldn’t have shouty exteriors, but the interior would be a point of focus to heighten the driving experience. A GV60 or a G70 Magma with this type of steering wheel is something we can see happening. Or better yet: the rumored Genesis GT90 performance coupe.

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