Kia Optima

A full-size front-drive touring car. It is stable under braking and easy to place, but the front axle carries the engine, supplies the steering and delivers the power, so impatience shows up as understeer and front-tyre heat.

Make the rotation before the throttle. A clean, late apex gives the front tyres room to pull the car out instead of dragging it wide.

Symptoms this car reads differently

Pushes on entry

The heavy front axle will not accept unlimited trail brake and steering together. Shed a little more speed before asking it to rotate.

Pushes at the apex

Adding lock only works the outside-front harder. Hold less steering and wait for the nose to recover.

Runs wide on power

Power and steering share the same tyres. Delay full throttle until the wheel is opening.

Falls off over the stint

Front-tyre temperature is the stint. Avoid scrubbing the axle on entry and exit.

What this car's answers lean on

Compared with other Production cars

1. Free changes — driving, not setup
2. Tyre pressures used more than on most cars like it
3. Anti-roll bars used more than on most cars like it
4. Braking system — bias, ABS, pressure
5. In-car driver aids and gearing
6. Camber, toe, caster
7. Damper clicks
8. Spring rates

What you cannot change on this car

• The differential is fixed on this car.
• Engine braking is not adjustable on this car.
• This car has no adjustable aerodynamics.
• Total brake pressure is not adjustable on this car.
• Gearing is fixed on this car.
• No third spring on this car.
• No adjustable bump stops on this car.
• This car has no dampers with that adjustment.