Page 51 - Motor Trend (February 2020)
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PROTOTYPE DRIVE
mid-mounted drivetrain mass allows damping really dialed in, preventing any
the car to change direction with so little roll oversteer and putting power to the
resistance. It’s a very satisfying driving ground very well, even on its pure street
experience, like taking off your boots and Pirelli P Zeros. The g’s generated on
running barefoot in the grass. Liberating. non-track tires are impressive, especially
And I’m only in the first turn. at high speeds, which there are a lot of.
Back on the throttle, and there’s The mega-aero rivals that of GT3 racers
another long wait for thrust; turbo lag is as it hugs the track at 100-plus mph.
significant. By the time it’s finally wound My engineer passenger is giving two
up, it’s nearly time to shift. Loud and thumbs up. I’m really into it, though I
raucous, it’s a fast and furious feeling. feel a little soft-pedal brake fade entering
Decreasing-radius corners that are tricky the Carousel. I love the chassis, but the
in the Alpine are not so in the RM19. brakes could use more bite and less heat. public highway record of 280 kph (173
This chassis is really well tied down. No Hyundai can still learn from Porsche. mph)—this in spite of high-drag wings,
twitchiness, but I feel like we’re cheating The engine is rated for about 380 flares, and splitter. The power is there,
here. The Hyundai has a lot of race prep, horses, but the lag is disconcerting. Still, it’s just lazy in its response.
though it’s not harsh. the turbo and wastegate squeaks and After the drive, I ask Herr Biermann
I’m politely warned that only two of whistles are music to my left ear from the purpose of this exercise, besides the
these specials exist, but after just a few that intake in the rear window. Hyundai fun of creating a crazy-cool sleeper hot
twisty German-strudel esses, I’m not hints that a hybrid variant could be in the rod. It’s a rolling laboratory, he says. If
concerned. This is a very well-behaved wings, but what I’m driving right now is a that’s the case, then I sincerely hope the
chassis. No dicey reactions, just straight very hyperactive turbo-four. mid-engine balance Hyundai has created
and true corner entries. We flirt with 260 kph on the long here finds its way into a production car.
Although many mid-engine setups straight, and I’m doing the math in my It could easily handle far more power in
rotate too quickly, this one tames its head. Lessee, 0.62 times 260 ... can’t right this configuration—and there’s a twin-
low polar moment, sending no warning now … but I know 100 is 62, so 200 is turbo V-6 in the company lineup.
signals, unlike the hyperactive Renault. 124, so 60 more klicks would be another Could something like this make
The Porsche is also a sweetheart, but 40 or so … equals 160 plus … boy, this is production? With a wink, Biermann
with a much more comfort-oriented, a long straight. And then … “Just keep it doesn’t rule it out. Hyundai has decided
streetable setup. Hyundai has the shock flat around that kink,” my engineer says. its products need to be more fun. To be
Really? OK! clear, the RM cars are studies. Likely a
After our romp around the ’Ring, we 380-hp Veloster won’t be in dealerships
take the RM19 on some winding little anytime soon. But peel away the sheet-
farm roads. Again, the Hyundai is a metal, and what lies underneath could be
delight, exhibiting a firm, sporty ride the basis for something ferocious.
without punishing the passengers. And How amazing that would be for us
it’s so controllable that stability nannies enthusiasts, though Biermann does
aren’t even necessary. If I flip the paddles say the form of propulsion hasn’t been
and keep the turbo on the boil, the lag decided. It’s a changing energy world,
isn’t a bother. We venture to an ideal and Hyundai seems to be looking at the
no-limit autobahn spur to nowhere, and options. Expect a lot more as the relent-
I pin the gas and achieve my personal less march toward the better rolls on. Q
FEBRUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 51
