A diet would be highly appreciated when a vehicle is as heavy as the Ioniq 5 N. Thankfully, Hyundai has already decided to give the high-performance electric crossover much lighter wheels in order to trim some fat. It has partnered with Hankuk Carbon, a leader in composite materials, and wheel expert Dymag to make it possible. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a 21-inch lightweight wheel prototype was on display.

The wheel, created and developed by the South Korean company, combines a carbon fiber outer rim with a forged metallic hub to create a hybrid structure. By doing this, the engineers were able to reduce the weight of a standard alloy wheel of the same size by between 40 and 50 percent. In addition to being significantly lighter, these wheels are stronger, more robust, and have less rolling inertia.

These lightweight wheels will be available for additional performance vehicles that are a part of the expanding N range, according to Hyundai, so they won't simply be available for the Ioniq 5 N. With the help of other manufacturers, Dymag has created a selection of carbon hybrid wheels ranging in size from 18 to 23 inches, with even larger sets of 24- and 25-inch wheels arriving later this year.

According to UK-based Dymag, hybrid carbon wheels have a benefit over one-piece entirely carbon wheels since the magnesium or aluminum core facilitates the creation of new designs while lowering the cost of re-tooling. In addition, the decreased unsprung mass of the carbon fiber rim is supposed to improve handling while lowering NVH levels.

There is only one problem, and that is the cost. Although N models are among the most economical performance vehicles, a carbon hybrid wheel is undoubtedly expensive. Even while there will be a noticeable weight decrease, it is unclear how many Hyundai owners will be willing to pay for what will undoubtedly be an expensive alternative.