Should I modify my next new performance car?
QUESTION
Hi John,
Having majored in design and energy in my mechanical engineering degree, I'm now at that retirement age, so I am looking around for a car to enjoy and do a few track days in during the year.
Recently, I have been sampling the full spectrum of possibilities from Cayman, Boxster, MX-5 to Golf R.
After eliminating the Cayman for it's closed-in cabin and air pressure resonance issue coming from the rear hatch, I realised I'm looking for either the top down experience, or at least being able to open a sunroof.
Now, what's got my attention is I see the i30N has a panoramic sunroof. I viewed your glowing review on the i30N Fastback, so that's got me thinking of the i30N hatch with sunroof.
Being an old dude (and a ride and handling perfectionist) my concern is the ride and noise suitability of the tyres, 19x8-inch 235/35s profile with 55mm offset, over coarse bitumen.
I was thinking 18 inches with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 would be about the right combination for the ride/noise versus handling trade-off. I can then leave the i30N’s 19-inch set of Pirellis for track days.
My question is, will the i30 N Line (with 18x7.5-inch 225/40s) fit on the i30N hub and over the brake calipers. Also, will these work dynamically from a track width aspect? Hoping you or your engineer contacts at Hyundai can set me straight on this.
Looking forward to making contact again.
Best regards,
Ed
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ANSWER
Ed,
Thanks for the kind words. It terrifies me that people like you watch. Like, I was so good at engineering that I became a journalist…
Now, because I generally prioritize the truth over appeasement, here’s the bit where I go: Stop smoking crack on wheels and tyres.
The former boss of the BMW ‘M’ division personally oversaw all aspects of the i30 N’s development. They developed a specific tyre for this car.
You’re essentially saying you might do a better job than him, by mixing and matching components in a thought bubble. (I don’t know if the 18s will fit over the brakes. It would be heresy for me to ask.)
I’d suggest it’s insane to ‘fix’ a ‘problem’ you have not experienced (it does not sound like you’ve driven the car, below), and which, in my estimation, does not exist. It rides OK on public roads, when you turn ‘N’ mode off and the car softens up a little.
The ride and handling package is excellent for that car, in the context of its intended application. I can tell you only one thing for certain: Your proposal is going to ruin that car nicely. All the cars you’ve mentioned are performance cars. They ride and handle like performance cars. You can’t ‘fix’ that without ruining the performance.
In my view, it would be criminal to do this to an i30 N, which is so well sorted, out of the blocks. (Probably not what you wanted to hear, I know.) I highly doubt you can push an i30N Fastback’s e-diff to the limit - mainly because you’re not Mark Webber.
If you find the car a bit harsh, you’re probably not actually in the market for a performance car. In that case, maybe buy something just warm, instead of hot - something like a Cerato GT or i30 N-Line, but forget about taking it to a track, because that will just be disappointing.
A 235/35 tyre has a sidewall depth of 82mm. 225/40 has 90mm. So, the difference in the context of it being a potential effective attenuator of sorts will be limited to imperceptible, but the reduction in dynamic performance will be profound in extremis. (Because it’s not just the size of the tyre; it’s the compound, construction and the bespoke development.)
Sorry, dude. (Not really.) The Hyundai Police would arrest you if you did this to that car.
JC
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