09/12/2018, Fountain Valley, CA
- Hyundai engineers Joshua Vedder and Matthew Scott behind-the-wheel
- Data collected aids in vehicle development and validation
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 12, 2018 – As car buyers eagerly await the upcoming launch of the 2019 Veloster N, Hyundai is fueling the anticipation by grassroots racing the Veloster N and IONIQ electric in the annual OPTIMA® Batteries “2018 Search for the Ultimate Street Car.”
The IONIQ electric returns to defend its 2017 National Championship in the new and exciting GTE class. Entering its first full year of competition, the Veloster N is challenging the top GTC class competitors. “The OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car competition is the perfect venue to allow Hyundai to showcase its expanding performance envelope and introduce the N-brand vehicles to performance enthusiasts,” said Joshua Vedder, senior group manager, Customer Connect, Hyundai Motor America. “The vehicles are modified in a way that mirrors a typical enthusiast – gripper tires and suspension, increased power, etc.; and then tested in this severe environment. This is one way we ensure our vehicle will exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Both the 275-horsepower Veloster N and the 201-horsepower IONIQ electric were upgraded for the series and will compete in the second to last event of the season. The teams are hoping to qualify for the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational.
Post-race team photo from Pikes Peak International Raceway with the GTE class trophy: (left/right) Joshua Vedder, driver of the #440 Veloster N, Hyundai Motor America, Kristi Nishihira, test and instrumentation engineer, Hyundai Motor America, Ryan Miller, manager, ECO-team, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI), and Matthew Scott, vehicle test and development engineer, HATCI
2018 Events
- 15 – 16 Auto Club Speedway | Fontana, CA
- 3 – 4 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational | Las Vegas, NV
The Cars
2019 Veloster N
- 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with up to 275 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque
- Electronically-controlled suspension with multiple track-tuned driving modes
- N model integrated body design details clearly differentiate from Veloster line
- Powertrain:
- Remus POWERIZER and RESPONDER
- Remus Cat-Back active exhaust
- Prototype cold air intake and high capacity charge-air cooler
- Brakes: Wilwood Endurance-race spec system
- Forged Narrow Superlite Radial-Mount Caliper
- 6-piston front / 4-piston rear
- GT 72 Curved Vane Rotor 14.0”/12.9” (Front/Rear)
- Forged aluminum big brake dynamic hat
- BP20 compound pads
- Forged Narrow Superlite Radial-Mount Caliper
- Chassis:
- 30mm HR Lowering springs
- Pierce Motorsports strut brace subframe supports
- Prototype adjustable sway bars (23mm front / 22mm rear)
- Front camber bolts
- BBS LM-R wheels (19×9)
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tires, 245/35-19
- Safety:
- Pierce Motorsports 4pt removable cage
- Seats: Recaro Profi SPG XL
- Harnesses: Sparco Enduro 6-Point
- Aero: Custom APR front splitter and side skirts.
- Interior:
- AEM CD-5 digital dash and CAN network adapter
- Racelogic Video VBOX HD2
2018 IONIQ electric racecar
- Higher Power AC permanent magnet electric motor borrowed from the KONA electric
- 201 horsepower and 291 lb.-ft. of torque
- Performance results
- 0 to 60 mph: 5.8 seconds
- 0 to 100 mph: 15.7 seconds
- Top Speed: 115 mph
- Drexler Limited Slip Differential and 7.05 gear ratio
- Wilwood performance brake package
- Lowering springs with firmer spring rate
- Volk Racing Wheels with 275/35R18 Bridgestone RE71
- Torque map / rate tuning for improved launch and limit driving control
- Improved power electronics cooling with upgraded radiator and electric water pumps
- Enhanced battery cooling with higher air flow fans and dedicated air conditioning ducting
- Water cooled AC condenser for improved battery cooling while pitted and during charging
Hyundai Engineering Goals
- Collect data on multiple tracks across the country to aid in development and validation
- Vehicles are fully instrumented allowing video and data analysis
- Evaluate how vehicles react to performance upgrades
- Win a single event or score enough points to qualify for the Invitational event held after the 2018 SEMA show
The Competition consists of 5 key segments:
- Design Engineering: Judged on their construction and modifications that enhance the look, performance, and/or functionality of a stock vehicle while maintaining or enhancing the ‘Daily Drive’ comfort features and accessories.
- Road Rally: Routes will typically be 25 to 100 miles long and may or may not include stops
- Speed Stop: Timed event that establishes the ability of the car and driver to accelerate, negotiate tight turns, and stop in a designated spot.
- Autocross: Timed event that establishes the ability of the car and driver to negotiate tight turns, slow speed maneuvers and short straightaways.
- Road Course: Timed event that establishes the ability of the car and driver to negotiate a variety of turns and straightaways in the shortest time. Very simply, this is the test to see how closely a street car can perform in real road racing conditions.
Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America believes everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
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