Here are the results of this week's duel!
Background Music! (PC Link)
For mobile users:
LAPTIMES (15 Laps)
Audi TTS Coupé '14: 2:22.176
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track '13: 2:24.196
DRIVER'S COMMENTS
Ahh yes, Germany VS South Korea... Unfortunately for Die Mannschaft, they were defeated in shame by the Ginger Popstars in the Group G matches, ending the former's road to World Cup victory. But for this week, we are comparing a small German coupe against South Korea's answer to Germany's sports coupes.
The Audi's quattro All Wheel Drive system (in reality a rebadged VW Group Haldex system due to the car's front transverse engine layout) is its weapon when it comes to standing starts and corner exits, as well as finding grip once the car breaks into a slide. Another advantage of using this car is its DSG paddle shift gearbox, which is useful for N class races with no tuning allowed. Unfortunately however, the car has a fair share of understeer due to said front transverse setup, making the car nose heavy, despite being lighter on paper than the Genesis. This car can potentially do high 2:21s to high 2:20s with the right driver around Maggiore Reverse, but for now, I've settled with a low 2:22.
The Genesis on the other hand is using the classic sports car formula; Front Engined, Rear Wheel Drive. It has more power than the TTS (343 HP VS 305 HP), but it's 390 lbs. heavier than said Audi. Plus, it has a Naturally Aspirated 3.8 litre V6, while the Audi uses a Turbocharged 2 litre Inline 4 (presumably a Volkswagen EA series unit). Being rear wheel drive, it will slide more as you expect it to be, although when you send it into a powerslide but then you lift off (or reduce the throttle input) mid-slide, it will understeer itself to safety. Ironically, despite being heavier on paper, the steering is actually lighter than the TTS thanks to it being not so nose heavy. Its H-gater Manual transmission is its weak point however if you decide to use this car into N class races with no tuning allowed. Other than that, it's a great all-round package. It can potentially do high 2:23s to high 2:22s with the right driver.
VERDICT
The TTS is a great car (and it's used to be the go-to car for N300 daily races back in the closed beta!) with its quattro AWD system helping you to find traction out of corners and standing starts. However, it is easy to push yourself way too hard to the point where you suddenly start to feel the understeer of this car. Fun fact, it's my starter car (in black, lap times are done in the red duplicate) when I first boot my full copy of GT SPORT!
The Genesis on the other hand is also a great car, but not to the scale of the TTS. While not really good for stock N class racing, its all round package of light steering feel and satisfying experience of being able to beat those Automatic AWD plebians with your H-gater RWD weekend machine makes it a surprise victory for the Genesis. Another fun fact is that when I first played the Closed Beta Test Version, the Gr.4 version of this car is one of my starter cars, with the others being a Lancer Evolution FE for N300 and a Corvette Gr.3 for, well you guessed it, Gr.3 races.
And so, my vote surprisingly goes to:
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track '13!
Before the Group matches
Germany: YOU CANNOT BEAT US.
After Germany beats Sweden
Germany: YOU CANNOT DEFEAT US!! WE ARE DIE MANNSCHAFT!
Germany gets beaten by Mexico and South Korea
Germany: NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN!
TEST NOTES: Lap times are done using a DS4, Penalties set to Weak, Stock settings, Sports Softs, Default ABS, Brake Balance set to 0, and Traction Control is OFF.
EDIT NOTES: Lap times are now updated with ones during the same 15 lap Time Trial session, but with penalties set to Weak (shortcut and wall collisions), so the old lap times are invalid. Plus, music is added for a more enjoyable read.