The Hyundai Elantra CN7 TCR is one of the most stable and confidence-inspiring touring cars in iRacing, making it a strong choice for both newcomers and seasoned sim racers. With about 340 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, front-wheel drive, and a well-balanced chassis, the Elantra thrives in close-quarters pack racing. To get the most out of it, focus on smooth inputs, late braking, and carrying momentum.
Driving Tips
The Elantra’s strengths lie in its braking performance and mid-corner balance. It allows you to brake late into corners and still keep control, provided you’re smooth on release.
- Corner Entry: Use late braking to your advantage, and apply slight trail braking to help rotate the car into tighter turns. The Elantra’s stability makes it forgiving, but being deliberate with brake release helps minimize understeer.
- Mid-Corner: The car excels in medium-speed corners, where maintaining momentum is key. Keep steering inputs smooth to avoid scrubbing speed.
- Corner Exit: Roll onto the throttle progressively. FWD cars naturally push wide if overdriven, and the Elantra is no exception. Smooth throttle control helps reduce excess understeer and keeps lap times consistent.
Setup Tips
The Elantra is competitive on its baseline setup, but small adjustments can help beginners feel more comfortable:
- Rear Anti-Roll Bar: Increase stiffness slightly to encourage more rotation and reduce mid-corner understeer.
- Brake Bias: Shift bias a touch forward to improve stability under heavy braking, particularly at tracks with big stop-and-go corners.
- Tire Pressures: Keep them close to default while you’re learning; consistency matters more than chasing ultimate grip.
These tweaks keep the car predictable while giving it a sharper edge for pack racing.
Racecraft
TCR racing is all about aggressive, elbows-out competition, and the Elantra is built for it.
- Defending: Hold strong, defensive lines into braking zones. The Elantra’s braking stability makes it hard for opponents to out-brake you if you position correctly.
- Drafting: Slipstreaming plays a huge role in TCR races. Stay tucked into the pack, and time your overtakes using the draft to set up moves into heavy braking zones.
- Contact Awareness: Touring cars often rub panels, but avoid unnecessary contact—damage or penalties can ruin a race just as easily as losing a position.
The Hyundai Elantra CN7 TCR rewards drivers who focus on momentum, smoothness, and patience. Late braking, careful throttle control, and a few simple setup adjustments can make the car both forgiving and quick. In pack racing, discipline and smart drafting are just as important as raw pace. For anyone entering iRacing’s Touring Car Challenge, the Elantra is one of the best platforms to learn racecraft and thrive in the ultra-competitive TCR class.
