- What Is Track Mode On A Car?
- What Does Track Mode Affect?
- Tesla’s Track Mode
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Track Mode Settings
- The Importance Of Closed Circuit Driving Courses
Everything you wanted to know about track mode.
Read in this article:
- What Is Track Mode On A Car?
- What Does Track Mode Affect?
- Tesla’s Track Mode
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Track Mode Settings
- The Importance Of Closed Circuit Driving Courses
As you might know, even the most basic cars come standard with driving modes these days. The three primary modes you'll find in most cars are Eco, Normal, and Sport. It's a relatively modern phenomenon in the automotive world and directly results from cars getting more driver assist features, like traction control and stability control systems, and more computer-controlled systems like electronic throttle bodies, electronic power steering, and brake-by-wire.
BMW popularized driving modes with a basic “Sport” button in its M models, and in the beginning, it did nothing more than improve the throttle sensitivity (giving you 100% throttle at only 50% pedal travel) and force an automatic gearbox to hold onto a gear for much longer and downshift sooner. These Sport buttons did nothing more than make the car feel more aggressive, though they arguably did nothing to increase straight-line speed.
After manufacturers realized they could use the car's systems to increase entertainment, they started developing more modes, including track mode for closed-circuit driving courses. Almost every vehicle with a Track Mode comes with a warning that you're only allowed to use it on closed circuit courses and that it's the driver's responsibility to adhere to these rules.
But we all know using track mode can be pretty fun on empty public roads, if only to enhance handling and get more rotation out of the rear end.
Let's look at the topic more in-depth to understand these systems' benefits fully.
What Is Track Mode On A Car?
The first thing you must know is that track mode goes by many names, and that track mode settings differ. Tesla Models simply use Tesla Track Mode, while the Italians are more flamboyant and use “Corsa.” Hyundai has N Mode, and BMW and Mercedes-Benz use Sport +. Go-faster Bimmers have two dedicated M modes, allowing drivers to customize two track mode settings. One could still provide a layer of protection for aggressive driving sessions, while the second may still provide a layer of protection for less experienced track drivers.
As mentioned, the track mode setting depends on the brand. Tesla's track mode is one of the more advanced systems available for the Tesla Model 3 Performance, Tesla Model Y Performance and the Tesla Model S Plaid.
What Does Track Mode Affect?
Whatever it's called, and in whichever car you find it, a track mode typically alters some, but not necessarily all, of the following characteristics of a vehicle:
- Throttle Sensitivity: By giving you full power at 70% of the gas pedal's travel, this creates the impression of sharpened throttle response
- Shift Programming: In automatic cars, shifts can occur quicker or with more of a kick, and downshifts occur sooner.
- Exhaust: Flaps in the exhaust of combustion cars can be opened to give you full noise, while EVs may alter the piped-in soundtrack.
- Damping: Track mode typically sets adaptive dampers to their stiffest setting.
- Stability Control: By allowing more slip, you can confidently drive the car up to and beyond the limits of adhesion without electronic interference.
- Steering Weight: Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) systems will have the weight adjusted by applying more or less assistance from the e-motor.
- Differential Programming: On AWD cars, this includes how much power is sent to the front- or rear axles, while 2WD cars with electronic limited-slip diffs will see the level of aggression the diff responds tailored. Similarly, brake-based torque vectoring will use similar programming.
- Braking: With the exception of brake-based torque vectoring mentioned above, this element is the least common, but brake booster assistance can be varied, and in EVs or PHEVs, the level of brake regen can be adjusted.
Tesla’s Track Mode
Track Mode in the Model 3 and Model Y is less advanced than the system in the Model S Plaid. Tesla has improved its track mode with an over-the-air update, but it does the same job.
To access track mode, you need to go through a complex process, most likely to ensure that it can't be activated at a moment's notice on the road.
Tesla modifies the vehicle behavior by modifying the stability assist, traction control, regenerative braking, and battery cooling systems. The Plaid comes standard with adaptive dampers, which also have a unique setting in track mode. Tesla's system also shuttles torque between the front and rear axle in cars with an all-wheel drive or dual-motor setup. This allows even a heavy electric vehicle to give a sense of more or less rotation factoring in the driving speed.
Another cool feature is the G-meter card, which will record basic telemetry on closed-circuit driving courses. In addition to saving impressive G-meter readings, a Tesla can also save footage via the onboard dashcam. The G forces can also be displayed in real-time on the digital gauge cluster.
Tesla's cars are already fast, which means this particular track mode is there to eliminate surplus heat. The cooling system is on high alert because a full-bore driving session puts a lot of strain on the battery pack. Having fun is one thing, but vehicle health is equally important. The cost of a replacement battery is no joke.
And even though Tesla's are equipped with regenerative braking, the automaker revealed performance brakes packaged for the Plaid in 2021.
The optional carbon-ceramic brake upgrade definitely makes sense in a car that can hit 60 mph in less than two seconds. Naturally, all Autopilot features are switched off in track mode.
It's worth noting that track modes in electric cars will only get more advanced. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has various faux engine noises and replicates the feel of a dual-clutch transmission. While some may see these as nothing more than entertainment features, they certainly add to the track-driving experience.
We can already see the benefits at the top of the EV segment. The Rimac Nevera has an electric motor for every wheel, turning every driving session into a sensory overload. You can dial it back or turn all the vehicle's systems off to do a four-wheel drift.
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Track Mode Settings
There are similarities between ICE and EV track modes, though combustion cars meant for track driving usually come equipped with upgraded components straight from the factory. There's no need to worry about cooling because all the important mechanical bits will come with additional cooling straight from the factory. A muscle car like the Mustang Shelby GT500 also has larger air intakes at the front to keep that monstrous supercharged V8 cool.
However, in ICE cars, electronically controlled systems will still be sharpened to provide a stiffer ride, less electronic intervention, more steering weight, quicker gearshifts, and more noise. These elements all differ based on what hardware a car has, as not all cars have adaptive dampers, for example.
Most ICE performance cars tend to send power to the rear wheels only, but that is starting to change as power increases. Now that all-wheel drive is becoming standard to put the power down, we're seeing more drift modes. It's important to note that drift mode and track mode are not the same.
Drift mode will either disengage the front axle entirely or send most of the power to the rear wheels. It doesn’t improve handling balance and exists simply for sideways fun. But even EVs are available with drift mode these days, so it’s not unique to ICE. If drifting is your only aim, we have a list of the best drift cars available.
We have to thank ICE for being the driving force behind the latest track mode systems. Without brake-based torque vectoring, developed using traditional braking systems, we wouldn’t have the more intelligent, advanced systems we have today.
ICE is also the reason active stability control exists. This system used to be either on or off, but manufacturers realized there needed to be an in-betweener setting. One that will catch you when you go too far. And even the humble lap timer comes from ICE.
The Importance Of Closed Circuit Driving Courses
One of the main controversies surrounding track mode is whether it should be allowed on the streets. A Hyundai Elantra N driver famously received a fine for being too loud, only because the car was in track mode.
Because track mode basically forces the car to interfere less, a powerful vehicle may also be more hazardous on a public road. While everyone likes to think they’re a Max Verstappen, it’s not true.
We’d stick to sport mode on the road and leave track mode alone until you reach the place it’s named after.
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