The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has achieved a new milestone, earning a Guinness Wold Records title for the biggest altitude change by an electric car. Over a journey spanning more than 4900 km across India, an IONIQ 5 tackled an impressive altitude shift of 5802 metres, demonstrating its engineering and performance under extreme conditions.
However, it wasn’t a climb as you may have thought. The record-breaking drive began at Umling La in Ladakh, the world’s highest drivable point at 5799m above sea level, and concluded in Kuttanad, Kerala, located three metres below sea level. The 14-day expedition was organised by Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and led by the Evo India team.
Throughout the journey, the IONIQ 5 conquered diverse terrains and weather challenges, from freezing Himalayan passes to the humid coastal regions of Kerala. This would have put a lot of pressure on the EV’s battery and electrical systems. Hyundai India’s managing director, Unsoo Kim, said:
“We are incredibly proud to see the Hyundai IONIQ 5 create history by achieving the Guinness World Record for the Greatest altitude change by an electric car. This achievement is a testament to Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to innovation, technological excellence, and sustainability.”
Built on Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the IONIQ 5 features a retro design inspired by the brand’s iconic PONY model. Its 72.6kWh battery delivers decent range figures and supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) technologies, as well as a surprisingly spacious cabin.
Prices in Australia start from $68,900 for the RWD base model, featuring a 125kW motor and 63kWh battery. It provides a range of 440km.
