The death of one Q ship and rise of another

We all lament the loss of the Chevy SS. One of the best sports sedan efforts ever to wear an American nameplate, and certainly the most stealth of the bunch that match it's performance. Price point, a niche market and sluggish full-size car sales all played a role in it's demise.

Though in vastly different market segments, there's a no Q-Ship to champion at a more obtainable price point from a somewhat surprising source. For the 2017 model year, Hyundai has introduced the Elantra Sport. The most obvious change that most will notice is the addition of the 201HP 1.6L direct injection turbo engine and the availability of a 6 speed manual or 7 speed DSC transmission. However the changes don't end there. Along with the subtle gauge differences and other interior differences, Hyundai properly overhauled the Elantra Sport's suspension to further take advantage of the recently redesigned and stiffened chassis. Gone is the torsion beam rear end in favor of a multi-link rear, complimented by revised strut valving and spring rates. The sport version also includes slightly larger sway bars and is even fitted with slightly larger brakes. Starting below $22k it provides an alternative to the Fiesta ST in an understated sedan body that dew would expect to be packing such a punch. Now to hope that someone in the aftermarket steps up to provide a proper limited slip differential to round out the well developed package.

So in spite of the death of the Chevy SS, Hyundai and Ford are ensuring that the spirit of the wolf in sheep's clothing sports sedan lives on at a more obtainable price with the respective introductions of the Elantra Sport and Fusion Sport.

I just can't see a Q-ship with a tiny 4 banger. Q-dinghy certainly, Q-boat perhaps but a 1.6 4 hardly seems seaworthy.

In reply to Wall-e:

Consider the above the issuing of a small craft advisory

Without a V8 (minimum) or V12 (preferred) its not really a Q Ship

You only talked about one Q ship. Which is funny because Hyundai makes a Q ship, the Genesis.

In reply to captdownshift:

Aye Captain

it's funny, 30 years ago 201 hp was good numbers for a mustang,now nobody raises an eyebrow about a factory 1.6 pumping out that many horses

Q-Ship implies an air of prestige. That kind of air doesn't exactly waft out of Korea.

In reply to Woody:

The interior doesn't scream Elantra or $22k.

that kind of looks...GTi-ish. in a good way.

This is interesting. I'm seeing it more of a budget GTI than anything else, though.

93gsxturbo wrote: Without a V8 (minimum) or V12 (preferred) its not really a Q Ship

I agree with this with the caveat that new Q ships are capable of having 6s with hair dryers. The idea is all the power you could ever want in a subtle way. That is totally possible with modern management. Not that the Bentley 6 and 3/4 turbo v8 will ever be surpassed.

Woody wrote: Q-Ship implies an air of prestige. That kind of air doesn't exactly waft out of Korea.

Yeah! The only thing wafting from that country is Lee Jae-yong's shady underbritches.

I'm going to nominate the new Continental 3.0T. Standing quarter in 13.5 at 106, and the rear diff in the AWD system for the 3.0T is similar in concept to the one on the Focus RS, which means that a tuner could hypothetically port a drift mode onto one of these barges. That combined with a big FMIC, an exhaust, and a proper tune would lead to one seriously quick and slidey AWD full-sizer.

What is equally impressive is how tat 201hp engine responds in the hands of the aftermarket. IT's very easy to have a 250whp 2800lb sedan with a tune and exhaust.

In reply to Bobzilla:

That coupled with a limited slip for a total price of roughly $25k is very compelling.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Bobzilla: That coupled with a limited slip for a total price of roughly $25k is very compelling.

Yep.I'm really surprised the Forte5 and Koup with this drivetrain haven't caught on as quickly. The package is there.

As much of a fan of Hyundai/Kia as I am (I've got 2 of them, including an Elantra), no way do a I see the new Elantra GT as a true "Q ship". To me, a Q is a larger sedan with lots of luxury, lots of power...more than 201 and a true presence.

I can see the Genesis as a great Q ship platform, but not the Elantra. It's more in the hot hatch category. Even in that category, I think it would stand out as a great value, but performance wise I'd think the GTI and FoST would eat it for lunch.

In reply to Klayfish:

I honestly look forward to the head to head comprisons amongst the group. The early feedback on the Elantra is that the revised suspension and chassis reinforcement really pays dividends. The fingerprints of Schreyer and Donckerwolke are all over the car which really makes a comparison against the GTI interesting.

I'll be very interested too. As the current owner of a '13 Elantra coupe 6spd, I can tell you that handling is not the cars' strong suit. It has a very nice ride quality, which I really enjoy considering how much I drive. But when the road gets curvy, it gets pretty floppy. Add in a bump mid-corner and the car gets all kinds of flustered, especially the rear end. My DD immediately prior to the Elantra was a '13 FoST. For Hyundai to get the handling to where the FoST was would take a minor miracle.

In reply to Klayfish:

As an owner of that platform's first generation (10-13 Forte), rear shocks and sway bar make a HUGENORMOUS difference in comfort/handling on those. I personally recomend Koni's in the back, 1/4 turn up from full soft. Still soft enough for daily duties with crappy roads, but controlled enough that when the road gets twisty it stays composed.

Don't get me wrong, it's no GS-R integra in the bumpy corners, but it's much better behaved.

I think of my 200c (I know...) as a lowercase q ship. Leather, nav, pano roof, alpine stereo, darn near 300hp and it was cheaper than a sonata.

I wish there were some suspension improvements available though.

In reply to akamcfly:

I can understand that, my Grand Cherokee flys with the same engine.

Klayfish wrote: I'll be very interested too. As the current owner of a '13 Elantra coupe 6spd, I can tell you that handling is not the cars' strong suit. It has a very nice ride quality, which I really enjoy considering how much I drive. But when the road gets curvy, it gets pretty floppy. Add in a bump mid-corner and the car gets all kinds of flustered, especially the rear end. My DD immediately prior to the Elantra was a '13 FoST. For Hyundai to get the handling to where the FoST was would take a minor miracle.

I agree. I own a 2015.

I was going to post a nearly identical post, but you beat me to it.

In reply to akamcfly:

LOL, I was ready to post that this is a lower case q ship.