Hyundai Veloster R-Spec For SCCA Autox???

Well since the GRM did their video review & conference call with Michael Evenoff I have had great interest in the R-Spec.  All the numbers say it is comparable with the Ford Fiesta ST which is a very capable car in HS.  I have gotten word from Nationals that all the Hyundai turbo cars will be in GS in 2019 with the "N" going to DS & the non-turbo cars in HS.  Unless Hyundai has something up their sleeve I can't see the R-Spec being a top placer at Nationals next year.  Though I could be wrong.  Maybe Hyundai has an ace up it's sleeve like a factory "racing alignment" spec for the Veloster R-spec that gives you an obscene amount of negative camber on the front (like Dodge did with the 2nd gen Neon ACR).  Maybe the turbo cars will end up in HS in 2020.  If my memory serves me correct the Fiesta ST spent it's 1st season along side the Focus ST in GS too.  Either way I won't be pulling the trigger on a new R-Spec as an autox replacement for my old HS Neon just yet (Sorry Mr. Evenoff)...

Let me just say that I have never bought a new car, had no real plans to, but the new Veloster R-Spec has made me think about it! 

Bump. Really interested in an R-Spec. I can't ignore the prices dealers are putting these things out for. Right when I thought the 10G Si was going to be the car to replace my 8G Si, the R-Spec has really caught my eye. On paper, they seem like they'd be good autocross cars. Source on all turbo HS cars going to GS?

Tough to say at this point. As of right now, It would be HS but no word on the final 2019 classes just yet. 

Curious, because I just bought one of these recently.  I have no autox plans for it currently, but if its easy to 90% prep (i.e. no shocks) and be competitive in HS that would be fun.

IIRC Hyundai allowed for/supplied camber bolts for Rspec and Track models in the past.  The Veloster has 1/2" extra wheel width over the Fiesta ST, which is good, but it also carries a bit of extra weight and width.  The width is good because its a lot less likely to end up on its roof, but its bad because ultimately it lowers slalom speeds.

If it moves to GS I don't see it being a contender.

In reply to bmw88rider :

The info on the classes I listed in my origin comment about the 1.6 turbo cars (including the R Spec) going to GS comes from Nationals.  It's supposed to be in the next FastTrak.  Only the 2019 Veloster with 2.0na  engine will be in HS.

So the 2019 Rules draft doesn't have the '19 Veloster anywhere in it, unless ctrl+f is failing me. The '16-'17 Turbo Rally Edition is in GS, so I'd assume the new R-Spec is as well. What's crazy is that dealers, per CarGurus, are offering these things at sub-$21K brand spankin' new. What might even be crazier is that if you search for the Veloster N, there are about a dozen listed sub-$27K (edit: closer to $30K with the PP). I know Hyundai is all about value for your dollar, but even this was surprising. I wonder how an R-Spec would fare against the new Si in GS. They're definitely competitive against them in terms of price.

In reply to ApexEight :

It's going to depend on whether someone competitive fields one. There have been Hy/Kia cars in the past that were competitive but they aren't prepped and run by top notch drivers. If I could have ever gotten a good driver in the car at large events the first Gen Forte in STF would have been a contender. Unfortunately only my non-talented but drove it. 

The Si has a LSD which I would think makes a big difference.  I still think camber is going to be a big issue.  If there isn't camber available its going to destroy tires and not be very fun to campaign.

I'm actually curious how a STH build would do.

Without a real diff the r spec will struggle in GS. The Si having a real diff is what levels the field against the FoST making 80+ more lb-ft and 50 more hp.

The N with PP may have a shot in DS with all the trick camber and other bits, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper than a Hype R. But still more expensive than the DS Camaro and I think the Focus RS will be the car to have in DS. 

An autocrosser in Houston is taking delivery of one of the first N with PP and he's a capable driver in a region deep with talent so the car will show what it's capable of. I look forward to seeing it in action.

Just watched The Smoking Tire One-Take of the N... So much want... He was really putting it through its paces. It sounds pretty good too. Loud when you change the exhaust mode. He did the R-Spec as well, and didn't seem impressed, but was with the N, and he showed it. Edited my previous post. The N with the PP, which is the only way any of us would take one, is closer to $30K on CarGurus. The base N and the R-Spec are discounted nicely from MSRP, but not the N with PP, based on my quick search. The R-Spec prices are tempting, but the Si might just be worth the extra money.

ApexEight said:

 The R-Spec prices are tempting, but the Si might just be worth the extra money.

The Si is a better car than the r spec. I'd recommend a civic sport with a manual over an R spec as well. It's a hatch, and it's much more competitively classed in HS.  You can probably get a civic sport manual for the same or not much more than the R spec veloster.

I think if autox is your goal, the Si would definitely be worth the extra.  It fixes the 3 biggest gripes I have with the R-Spec.  Hatch size, 4th door, and limited slip.

I am surprised that the Civic sport hatch also comes with 8" wide wheels vs. the 7.5 on the Veloster.