Hyundai is showing off the capabilities of its award-winning Ioniq 5 by setting a world record with it.

The folks at Hyundai Motor India Limited and professional drivers from Evo India took the car for a Guinness World Records drive to set the record for the greatest altitude change by an electric car.

To do that, the team started the journey at the highest paved road and mountain pass on Earth, at Umling La in Leh Ladakh, which is 5,799 metres above sea level, and then drove the Ioniq 5 to Kuttanad, Kerala, which is three metres below sea level.

With that, the team set the record by completing a journey with an altitude change of 5,802 metres.

Keep in mind, the record would be more impressive if the journey ended at the peak, as EVs recharge their batteries when coasting and braking, something there would be plenty of going downhill. But, even so, the achievement is still impressive.

Hyundai says the journey took 14 days and the route covered more than 4,900 kilometres, tackling terrain that is challenging as well as extreme climate conditions.

Hyundai says the car navigated freezing temperatures and steep mountain passes in the Himalayas and humid coastal regions in Kerala.

“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. The Ioniq 5’s performance in such extreme conditions reflects its engineering prowess and durability. At Hyundai, we are dedicated to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in e-mobility, and this record further reinforces our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’” said Unsoo Kim, managing director of Hyundai Motor India Limited, in a news release.

---