Hyundai’s experimental “Rolling Lab” series kicked off back in 2012, with a tantalizing focus on a mid-engined supercar that never quite reached the production line. Despite a handful of promising concepts over the last decade, it wasn’t until 2022 that Hyundai’s high-performance N division pivoted toward an all-electric setup with the RN22e concept. Now, the RN24 has arrived – though this is pushing the boundaries of what we traditionally call a car.

At the core of the RN24 is the same dual-motor layout and battery pack from the Ioniq 5 N. But in typical N team style, they’ve stripped away the heavy crossover frame and engineered a bespoke chassis inspired by the World Rally Championship. Although the wheelbase is a tidy 340 mm shorter, Hyundai’s team managed to squeeze in the full 84-kWh battery, reconfiguring the cells to fit within the tighter frame.

The result is a radical EV skeleton with an exoskeleton-style roll cage and sparse bodywork, shedding even more unnecessary weight. Still, despite this aggressive weight-cutting, the RN24 tips the scales at around 1,880 kilograms. That’s a massive 350 kg lighter than the Ioniq 5 N, which Hyundai achieved by ditching nearly all extraneous materials. And if those rugged, matte-black, 19-inch forged wheels look familiar, they’re lifted straight from the Elantra N sports sedan, while the rear spoiler is a nod to Hyundai’s TCR racing lineage.

Hyundai didn’t just stop at the exterior. This powerhouse also borrows plenty of tech from Hyundai’s motorsport parts bin, starting with the Powertrain Drive Control Logic system – a WRC-inspired setup that lets you dial in the power delivered by each electric motor with just a few button presses on the steering wheel. You can tweak the power balance between axles or adjust how responsive the acceleration and regenerative braking feel to suit the terrain or your style.

Cooling comes courtesy of a setup adapted from the Ioniq 5 N, while the e-handbrake hails from Hyundai’s WRC roster. Even the electronic motor torque control is inspired by the mechanical precision of the i20 N Rally1, and the custom Rally Mode mimics the four-wheel-drive system of Hyundai’s turbocharged rally hot hatch, distributing torque to all four wheels for maximum grip and control.

And yes, the RN24 is built to go sideways, but it’s also blisteringly fast off the line. It rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 3.4 seconds and will power through to an estimated top speed of 240 km/h. Despite being all-electric, it’s hardly silent; two side-mounted speakers amplify the artificial roar, complemented by the Ioniq 5 N’s external pair, while the rear fenders double as soundboxes for that intense auditory punch.

While Hyundai has no intention of selling this stripped-down beast, the RN24 is far more than just a flashy concept. Hyundai aims for it to spark new conversations around the future of high-performance EVs, paving the way for models like the Ioniq 5 N and the upcoming Ioniq 6 N sedan.