What’s just as fast as a Honda Civic Type R and a Subaru BRZ, but doesn’t always grab the headlines? How about the Hyundai Elantra N.
Will Drees, who drives the fastest Elantra N in Gridlife for car owner Michael Dube, raves about the platform.
“I’ve driven Hondas all my life,” Will says. “Civics. CRXs. I’ve had FK8s, FL5s. …
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As if I needed any more excuses to buy one.
Seeing these at our local autocrosses.
Yes they are very fun and easy to track, I am on my second one!
In reply to turboshadow :
Looks good with the bronze wheels.
They're just so ugly. Otherwise, super cool cars.
Great stuff. Only edit, you can run 265 square without any touching of the fenders. Source: Did it for years.
These are a blast to drive on track, and the Hyundai Driving Experience in Sonoma last year was a top notch event all around.
Lots of helpful info here, but no mention of the octane learning that cuts boost? Such a strange feature, especially for car intended for track days and performance driving. Anyone found a workaround, other than deleting it with a tune?
In reply to goingnowherefast :
The neotech rear coilovers are a true coilover vs the stock divorced setup. That's why they had to switch to the 8.5 width with 245 rear.
2 to 4 degrees 'toe in' on the front wheels?
In reply to jameskhana :
Octane learning has been beaten to death at this point. There is no work around without a tune, the difference is good for about .3 seconds and 4mph in the 1/4 mile.
On my track days I always learn the car on the way to the track and am good to go the rest of that day. But the small tank does cause issues if you are doing multiple 20 minute sessions per day and need to re-fuel.
In reply to turboshadow :
It doesn't reset every time you shut the car off?
Thank you Hyundai for building this car at this price point.
I really wish they would let KIA sell the same setup, just from a styling point of view.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
And one that could even beat my Focus RS despite less horsepower and FWD.
It is a great ride. IMO it's a better bang for the buck vs. a Type R after driving both. I also really enjoyed my Kona N as a DD.
Aaron_King said:
I really wish they would let KIA sell the same setup, just from a styling point of view.
You know, I'm kinda surprised they don't considering how much they share.
In reply to jameskhana :
Nope, it seems to reset more on extended periods of sitting such as overnight.
jameskhana said:
Lots of helpful info here, but no mention of the octane learning that cuts boost? Such a strange feature, especially for car intended for track days and performance driving. Anyone found a workaround, other than deleting it with a tune?
In my years of racing I don't think I've ever see a community with LESS engine failures. I agree fully that Octane Learning is a dumb feature, but it's simply a method of ensuring a conservative timing setting for hard lapping. Lest we forget, on cars that dynamically pull timing, you need to literally have knock/pre-ignition first before that happens. Knock is bad haha, and a precursor to something worse.
It could have been done better for sure, but the car makes it's advertised power without it. You can also just get a tune that adds 60-70whp and never worry about it again ;)
Confirm, great trackday car, great AX car, also great DAD car.
I do wish there was a better oil cooling solution. I never see CTR oil temps, but my experience leads me to suspect the car begins to detune to preserve once oil temps hit 264.
Kumho V730s are also a great combination with this car.
Can you imagine how rad an all-wheel-drive Elantra N would be?
(Assuming the all-wheel-drive system doesn't add a significant amount of weight.)
goingnowherefast said:
Great stuff. Only edit, you can run 265 square without any touching of the fenders. Source: Did it for years.
Thank you. You're correct. I reworded that section to clarify that and why he runs 255s in the rear.
Colin Wood said:
Can you imagine how rad an all-wheel-drive Elantra N would be?
(Assuming the all-wheel-drive system doesn't add a significant amount of weight.)
I think it would lose some of it's magic & charm. AWD Kona N would've been cool, but also not needed, and just something else to overheat on track (looking at you GRC). The front dif really is magical.
There's been a few snow days I was worried I would have to put on snow socks, but kept trucking along without issue - even on FK460 all-seasons.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
It's the whole reason I bought mine. It always amazes me how people don't believe me when I tell them it's stock
thashane said:
Colin Wood said:
Can you imagine how rad an all-wheel-drive Elantra N would be?
(Assuming the all-wheel-drive system doesn't add a significant amount of weight.)
I think it would lose some of it's magic & charm. AWD Kona N would've been cool, but also not needed, and just something else to overheat on track (looking at you GRC). The front dif really is magical.
You're probably right. And yeah, a current-gen Kona N would be way cool, but totally understand why Hyundai hasn't made one.
