The new special edition Elantra N has been unveiled, and it’s a striking vehicle to behold. Only in limited production numbers with that massive, TCR style swan-neck wing, big brakes, suede interior panels and special badging all over, this “track focused” Hyundai is bound to be quick. Isn’t it?

Well dear reader, I’m sorry to let you down. Us at MSIMA have spent months planning a track comparison between the base and TCR edition of the Elantra, beating every other reputable automotive news site to the punch.

We’ve been staking out the big H for months, insider information warned us of an upcoming bombshell release coming from the Korean factories. Peaking our interest, we sent an undercover agent to stalk their every move. What we learned is the release of a new track focused special edition Elantra. Even better, they would be out on Toronto Motorsports Park to take pictures for social media content. This gave us a fantastic opportunity to really see what this new thing was like on track.

However before any of that happened, we needed a baseline. What better baseline than the original Nlantra, base model, manual. We attended a public track day with a Turo rented Hyundai and let rip, fully knowing that track would be the same track promo pics would be taken of the new beast.

Concluding our jaunt around Toronto, the Nlantra managed to pull a 1:24.269. Not terrible for a mom car, especially without a wing. That was just step one (1) though, because it was now time to put step two (2) into action.

The time had come, our inside intel processor let us know the fabled Elantra N TCR would mosey it’s way out on track briefly for some promo pictures. Now was the time to strike, so we did. While all the camera people were drinking their Tim Horton’s and eating Tim’s Bits, our trained racing driver hopped a fence, sprinted and leaped into the drivers seat, then took off. We managed to get a lap and a half of time and data of using a stop watch sitting on top of a nearby water tower. Truly fantastic. We would’ve shot for more laps, but the local PD showed up and our professional needed to hop and make a run for it. No harm, no foul, at least how I see it.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Track times between the base Elantra N and the super special TCR edition:

Elantra N – 1:24.269
Elantra N TCR – 1:25.561

Yessiree folks, it’s the gosh-darn truth. The TCR edition, with the wing, fancy wheels and nice interior race crap is SLOWER than the base model. “But how?!” We hear you asking, nay, pleading to know. Not only do we hear you, but I think we have an answer. Pull out your calculators boys and girls, we’ve got some knowledge to drop.

The key figure we’re going to look at is power-to-weight ratio. The reasoning behind this is the fact that the TCR edition does not have any more horsepower than the regular base model N. Despite this, the only differences were that things were added onto the car, adding weight. Most importantly, the giant “TCR wing”? Yeah, that’s for sure contributing to a weight increase inherently making the car fat. “What about a e r o??” Air doesn’t exist dummy, next question. The cloth seats and interior in the base model also weigh 1.73 pounds less than the fancy schmancy Alcantara you get in the racecar. It’s all adding up, and it isn’t looking good.

The biggest thing is that massive WANG, adding a total of 22.3 pounds onto the vehicle. This drives the power-to-weight ratio up just enough to be a hinderance on track, at least according to our tests.

So, what’s the conclusion? The regular Elantra N is faster around a track because it doesn’t weigh as much and because our pro-autocross driver said so during an impromptu grand theft auto. Do better, Hyundai. Do better.