I've got a few minutes with Albert Biermann tomorrow morning (middle of the night for most of you), so if you have any questions, drop them here and I'll do my best to relay them.
Biermann, formerly of BMW's M Division, took his talents to Hyundai and launched the N division nearly a decade ago, and now they're, well, legit. N is mentioned in the same tones as other famous letters on the backs of cool cars like M or R or V, and even in semi-retirement Biermann is still a top consultant to the division and his DNA is all over the brand.
Last year at this exact time, Biermann told me "We've going to be launching an EV that will be able to do two laps of the Nordschleife without recharging and be as fun and fast (or faster) to drive as anything in the market segment." And I was like "Okay yeah I'll believe it when I see it."
Well, now the Ioniq 5 N has dropped and even longtime EV skeptics are taking notice.
So hook me up with some questions and Herr Biermann will get the asks.
How is F1 hybrid engineering relevant to the hybrids Hyundai is building? Does the technology translate well as far as usable performance?
Why didn't the US get the i20N? It was slotted right there with the Fiesta ST and Abarth but just left us wanting.
Also: Which is his favorite N car?
I've seen the RWD manual two seat veloster (at least I think it was the veloster?) concept they teased. Any chance we will see a RWD manual transmission hyundai or kia of any flavor in the future? A barely perceptible nod of the head or wink would do plenty to keep me from buying that Honda I have my eye on in a couple years.
Why did they discontinue the Kona N after only two years? I love mine. Will they be bringing a more rally focused AWD hot hatch to market to honor their WRC rally experience? Tell him thanks for engineering such a great platform/drive train for the N products. We appreciate his experience.
I would think that most EVs on the (US) market could go 20, 30, even 40 or more laps without a recharge.
The North Loop is a hair over 12 miles long, right? Just set the cruise control to 80km/h and put some easy listening on the radio 
I didn't know they had an N version - I just looked it up on the Hyundai website and it's pretty neat, but the performance upgrades do add a lot to the cost of the car (starts at $66,100). I like the looks of the Ioniq 5, I just saw my first one on the street a few days ago. But to be honest, I'd trade some of that available 641hp for some extra range.
So, did he choose N as a natural progression from BMW's M division? 
stuart in mn said:
I didn't know they had an N version - I just looked it up on the Hyundai website and it's pretty neat, but the performance upgrades do add a lot to the cost of the car (starts at $66,100). I like the looks of the Ioniq 5, I just saw my first one on the street a few days ago. But to be honest, I'd trade some of that available 641hp for some extra range.
So, did he choose N as a natural progression from BMW's M division?
I lost interest when you said $66,100. Why are these things so expensive?
Ask him...
Why isn't Bob Miller of Indianapolis factory sponsored?
I can get you Bob's phone number if need be. He will likely take the call.
What is they key to building feedback into an electric power steering unit?
Same as last year for me: thank him for developing cars suited for the street and track that don't cost an arm and a leg. It seems harder and harder to accomplish these days.
