Masters of the “Green Hell”

Hyundai N Taxi driving on the Nürburgring Nordschleife track

Imagine navigating one of the world’s most notorious racetracks, the Nürburgring Nordschleife as a job. Not in one of those typical single-seated racing vehicles, but as pilot of the Hyundai N Taxi, a co-pilot experience taking passenger in high-performance street legal vehicles on a ride that is all about speed and adrenaline. With our all-time hero Hyundai i30 N and the introduction of our performance EV Hyundai IONIQ 5 N – named World Performance Car of the Year 2024 – as a new addition to the Hyundai N Taxi fleet, we wanted to know how our expert drivers feel behind the wheel.

Meet Marcus Willhardt and Marc Spliethoff, two experienced pros, mastering the “Green Hell”, while transforming their grind into a full-throttle dance with 20.832 kilometers of pure excitement. Their stories are not just about horsepower, lap times and a truly smile inducing EV with enough muscle to leave the competition behind, but also about the sheer thrill of pushing the boundaries where the road meets the legend.

Marcus Willhardt

Marc Spliethoff

How long have you been an N Taxi driver?

Marcus: From day one when we started in March 2021.

Marc: I've been driving the Hyundai N Taxi for 3.5 years.

What was your top speed during an N Taxi ride?

Marcus: I reached it with the new Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, it was about 248 kph.

Marc: The top speed in optimal conditions is approximately 240 kph.

What has been the most memorable experience in your career so far?

Marcus: The most memorable experience was the victory of the 24H Race at the Nürburgring in 2023.
The best moment in the Taxi business was the season 2022, when we created visibility and a fan community for the N Taxi, starting at the Easter weekend in 2022.

Marc: The most impressive ride was an N Taxi ride on the Nordschleife, whereupon the guest was so excited and then bought a Hyundai i30 N. He proudly presented his new addition a few weeks later.

Hyundai N Taxi on a straight on the Nürburgring Nordschleife track

What are the biggest challenges you face when driving at the Nürburgring?

Marcus: The biggest challenges are the weather conditions and driving beside diverse cars and bikes at the same time. On top of these challenges is that you don’t know the skill level of the drivers around you, which forces you to drive extra careful and always have more than one eye on the cars around you...

Marc: The biggest challenges on the Nürburgring Nordschleife are, on one hand, always keeping an eye on the road surface, and on the other hand, reading the marshals, warning signs and the traffic correctly to adapt to the appropriate ideal line.

What specific driving strategies do you use to master the Nordschleife’s demanding layout?

Marcus: I don’t follow a strategy; it is all about experience which you gain over the years. I really don’t know how many laps I did in my life...
My first ever lap I drove in 1997.

Marc: To choose the right driving strategy on the Nordschleife, it was very helpful to first start with a motorcycle on the Nordschleife over 24 years ago, when the traffic density was still manageable. A defensive driving style and utmost respect for the Green Hell and the traffic is the key and basis for safe driving.

Marc Spliethoff sat in Hyundai N taxi car

Hyundai N Taxi car driving on race track with passenger

Hyundai N Taxi car on the Nordschleife track in wet conditions

What do you think about N Taxi vehicle’s acceleration, top speed, and overall performance?

Marcus: The N cars are experts on the Ring, the N Division takes it seriously when they develop the customer cars. One of the biggest tasks for the N cars is mastering the Nürburgring Nordschleife. I like to invite customers to join us, and experience the power of N.
Our N cars track capability, and durability is far more than a marketing phrase...

Marc: The acceleration and top speed are excellent. It's not for nothing that we always have enough vomit bags on board.
Every time I am amazed by the overall performance of the N Taxi. You can say that the car is a perfect fit for the track.

What is your favourite aspect of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and i30 N?

Marcus: My personal favorite in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the N e-Shift function. But really, the IONIQ 5 N offers many great aspects. The car is incredibly fast and offers very playful and agile handling that you might not expect from a car of this size. The soundscape gives the driver the feeling of being in a combustion engine car again, which significantly enhances the overall driving experience.
Our Hyundai i30 N is the all-time champion. This car has been in production since 2017 and is still so much fun to drive. It's light and handles great, super agile with the rear. Not to mention the unique soundscape when shifting and accelerating. I always have a big grin on my face when I drive this icon.
To be honest, I always have a smile on my face when I drive either car on this legendary track ;-)

Marc: What I like most about the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is that it feels exactly like a sports car with a combustion engine. The acceleration and the pulling behavior are always very entertaining.
With the i30 N I really like the exhaust note and the angry engine noise, as well as the lightning-fast DCT transmission. Furthermore, great driving fun in all weather conditions.

Hyundai N Taxi car on the apron at Nordschleife

How would you rate the Corner Rascal capability of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N at the Nordschleife?

Marcus: As I said that car handles great for its size. You would not believe the grip level, and the agility the cars deliver. I really like to invite people to experience it at the world's most famous racetrack with us.

Marc: To be honest, I was very pleasantly surprised when I drove the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N on the Nürburgring Nordschleife for the first time. A real corner rascal.

Can you share your experience regarding N Active sound+ (three sound profiles – Ignition, Supersonic, and Evolution)?

Marcus: To be honest, I know that there is existing 3 modes, but I only use the Ignition mode, as it is my favorite one. Also, the customers are really wondering how cool the car sounds with that mode.
The other two modes might be for the younger generation, but for me I love the simulation of the powerful petrol sound.

Marc: To be honest, there is only one mode that comes into question for me: "Ignition"
Then turn the volume control to the highest level. It really adds to the fun of driving.

Rear view of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N N Taxi

How does driving an electric vehicle like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N change your approach compared to driving traditional combustion engine cars on the Nordschleife?

Marcus: That is the great part of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, you don’t need to change behavior or technique, as the car gives you feedback and with the gear shifting you are able to drive the cars like a combustion car. There is no other EV providing such intense feedback.

Marc: Basically, you notice the significantly stronger torque curve and the higher performance. It is very impressive to feel the performance data firsthand. It's always amazing to hear from the guests that they didn't expect this performance at all – with a big grin on their faces.

What makes bringing an N Taxi driver extra special?

Marcus: You must be always focused and concentrated, as every lap is challenging with changing conditions. Our N cars are supporting us as a driver in the most positive way to reach our goal: Bringing joy and fun to every customer!

Marc: I really enjoy putting a smile on the faces of people from all over the world and giving them the best impressions during the hottest ride through Green Hell.

What is your message for our readers who plan to visit the Nürburgring?

Marcus: If you consider driving the ring by yourself, take it easy, do not push yourself, it will not end well.
I recommend having a proper driver training on the Nordschleife before, you can find it on our website from time to time. 😉
And if you want to see the capability of a street legal standard N car, come over and join us in the taxi.

Marc: A ride in the N Taxi is of course a must. :)
The best place to watch is the Breidscheid section. It's easy to park there and you can easily walk to the next section of Wehrseifen.

Hyundai N Taxi cars parked at Nordschleife

Thank you to our N Taxi drivers Marcus Willhardt and Marc Spliethoff for sharing their insights and what is special about a ride on the legendary Nordschleife. To meet the drivers and the N Taxi vehicles and experience the thrilling ride for yourself, book your co-pilot seat now. N Taxi runs from March to the end of November.

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