Unlikely Hyundai Sets a New Land Speed Record

Hyundai has just set a new land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

A race-prepped Hyundai Ioniq has set the land speed record for a production-based hybrid vehicle. The new hybrid was able to hit a speed of 157.825 mph, with a peak exit speed of 160.7 mph at Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats, where speed records are traditionally set and challenged. The record has been approved by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

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To help the hybrid set this record, engineers had to make some important modifications including making the car lighter by removing accessories and air conditioning, tweaking the engine, transmission, and hybrid ECU and removing governors, using nitrous, and a series of modifications to enhance aerodynamics and make sure the record-breaking driver stayed safe. A parachute was also installed to help the Ioniq slow down from its record-setting run.

“A key role of Hyundai’s engineering team in the U.S. is to thoroughly test all future vehicle prototypes to ensure they exceed the demanding expectations of our customers,” said Mircea Gradu, director of engineering and quality at Hyundai Motor America in a press release. “As we performed these tests on Ioniq, the engineering and quality staff became so impressed with the results that we began to wonder if we should raise our sights even higher, and the Ioniq land speed record effort was born.”

Production Hyundai Ioniq goes on sale in the U.S. later this year and will have full electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains available. Check out the Ioniq’s record-setting run below: