Cop Tells Elantra N Proprietor His Inventory Exhaust Will Value $7K To “Repair”

Like many new automobiles, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N provides a number of completely different drive modes. Certainly one of them is N mode which, amongst different issues, makes the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine sound a bit extra vigorous. Apparently, it is too vigorous for a California police officer and officers at a state testing facility. Now, the proprietor cannot drive his Elantra N till the issue is fastened, however because it’s new and allegedly inventory, there’s nothing to repair.

The scenario is defined each in a Reddit put up and a video shared by the ENtense YouTube channel. In brief, this driver was pulled over by a California motor officer resulting from backfiring noises coming from the automotive, a 2022 Hyundai Elantra N. The driving force defined the automotive was inventory and supplied to pop the hood, however the officer declined. As a substitute, he advised the motive force his registration can be suspended and a state rep would ship him “again to the vendor; the vendor has to take away the monitor choices, it’s important to pay for it, it is about $4,000.”

Later within the dialog, the officer bumps that determine to $7,000. It is unknown how the officer arrived at these numbers, however he then suggested the motive force that he may sue the vendor for the cash, saying dealership representatives ought to inform the motive force that driving in monitor mode is not allowed and he may “get your $4,000, $5,000 again.” The registration was suspended on the spot, and in line with the video, the officer tried to droop the motive force’s license as properly. Apparently, that was countermanded by state officers as not being allowed.

However wait, there’s extra.

The proprietor of this Elantra N took the automotive to an inspection station, and was allegedly advised it needed to be examined within the car’s loudest mode. On this occasion, it was examined in Sport mode and nonetheless failed the sound take a look at, at which level the proprietor was advised to take it again to the dealership and have it returned to inventory … which it already was.

The dealership confirmed as a lot, however since no work was achieved, the Elantra N cannot be examined once more. And since it will possibly’t be examined, it will possibly’t be pushed. The video and Reddit thread suggests the inspection station carried out the take a look at incorrectly, forcing the automotive right into a louder mode as an alternative of its default setting.

This is not the primary time we have seen weird conditions concerning car noise ranges in California. In 2021, Porsche was compelled to cease promoting manual-transmission variations of the 911 GT3 as a result of it was too loud, however the identical automotive with the PDK gearbox was high-quality. That scenario was finally resolved relatively shortly, however on this occasion, it has been a number of weeks and so far as we all know, the Elantra N remains to be sidelined.

We have contacted Hyundai looking for touch upon the scenario, as we have heard nothing about new Elantra N gross sales being barred in California. Presumably, if Hyundai is allowed to promote the automotive there, it should cross current state rules.