The Smoking Tire Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Ioniq 6 N Review; 1000 Miles in a 918; How TST Works
Hosts: Matt Farah, Zack Klapman
Date: November 11, 2025

Overview

In this in-depth and lively episode, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman provide a dual-feature review: Matt details his unique, immersive experience living with a Porsche 918 Spyder for a thousand-mile road trip in the Smoky Mountains, while Zack delivers his first impressions and a technical rundown on the all-new Hyundai Ioniq 6 N after attending its press launch in South Korea. The discussion expands into a candid look at the realities of automotive journalism, objectivity, and the economics and ethics of "press cars." The show wraps up with an extended Q&A session sourced from Patreon supporters, touching on car buying, ownership insights, and industry trends.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. The Porsche 918 Spyder: Living with a Hypercar

[04:17–58:13]

• Immersive Experience:
  Matt recounts eight and a half days on the road with a pre-production Porsche 918 Spyder, treating it as a daily driver.

  • "I had never really driven a 918, so it was a very unique opportunity to not just have a go, but literally live out of it for five days, which is really crazy." (04:18, Matt Farah)

• Uniqueness of the Press Car:
  The vehicle in question was one of only four pre-production cars—never to be sold, often slated for display or destruction.

  • "It’s either priceless or worthless, which is a very funny way to think about a car." (04:26, Matt Farah)

• Driving Impressions:
  The 918’s hybrid tech, carbon chassis, surprisingly usable ergonomics, and immense ride quality set it apart, even over long distances.

  • "This car rides better all the time than my Spyder... almost as good as a 720." (31:02, Matt Farah)
  • "Ten hours, 500+ miles in a day... It’s so usable as a car. It’s such a Porsche." (31:56, Matt Farah)

• Aging and Relevance:
  Despite being over a decade old, the 918 feels remarkably modern, with only its infotainment and interface feeling dated.

  • "You could fundamentally update the center touchscreen, take off the steering wheel and put on the current GT3RS steering wheel and you could just sell this car as is right now." (29:52, Matt Farah)

• Emotional Resonance and ‘Investment-itis’:
  Matt laments the "investor" mentality keeping many hypercars undriven and idle.

  • “Capitalism will beat car enthusiasm every time… it’s too profitable to not drive it. And that’s such a fucking bummer.” (44:31, Matt Farah)
  • Dream: “Depreciate a Ferrari F40 more than anyone. F40 used as a car until it’s fundamentally worthless.” (45:24, Matt Farah)

• Notable Quote:

  "This is where this hybrid supercar technology started… you can draw a dead straight line from this car to Lamborghini's entire lineup right now. Performance hybrids could be what keeps crazy, high-revving, motorsport-grade engines alive." (48:27, Matt Farah)

2. How Automotive Journalism Really Works

[06:10–29:03, 59:15–76:19]

• Listener Reddit Question:
  A popular Reddit thread questioned the objectivity of auto journalists, suggesting free trips and expensive press cars are "gifts" that bias reviews.

• Industry Reality Check:
  Matt and Zack clarify that press loans are not cash-value gifts, but essential tools to create content and reviews, with strict disclosure and minimal "perks."

  • "Porsche doesn't give you money, they don't give you a gas card… They give you a car. That’s what they always give you." (06:36, Matt Farah)
  • "We get paid in seat time." (09:52, Matt Farah)

• Comparison to Other Industries:
  Media junkets, press trips, and review units are common across entertainment, tech, and luxury industries—not unique to cars.

  • "This exact thing happens in almost every industry... lot of times they pay people directly." (18:35, Matt Farah)
  • "Companies have realized a review or influencer coverage is cheaper and more effective than advertising—often with fewer disclosure requirements outside the US." (19:11, Zach)

• Limits of Objectivity:
  Ultimate objectivity is elusive, especially in subjective experiences like driving; thorough, long-term professionals strive for balance and honesty, sometimes at the expense of further press trips.

  • "People bring all their baggage... what cars we were around when we were 7 years old." (27:14, Zach)
  • “I have one chance to get all this situation right. $811 revenue on a Turbo S video—believe you me, that’s a workday.” (24:37, Matt Farah)

• Preferred Format:
  Both hosts prefer having cars delivered for extended loan rather than globetrotting junkets, though logistics and costs make this rare.

  • "I would so much rather have a Turbo S delivered to my front door even for one day." (27:50, Matt Farah)

3. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N: EV Performance with Personality

[58:13–78:01]

• First Impressions and Design:
  Zack attended the South Korean press launch, driving both the hydrogen-powered Nexo as well as the feature vehicle, Ioniq 6 N.

  • "The big story ... is Ioniq 6N. Performance EV. We drove the Ioniq 5N, which we liked... This has all of that stuff and more." (60:10, Zach)

• Specs and Chassis:
  Weighs approximately 4,800 lbs—"heavy, but reasonably athletic." Substantial chassis reinforcements, revised suspension, improved brakes and cooling, and new adaptive dampers. The N aero package even offers a Koenigsegg-style swan neck wing.

  • "I was looking at this and went, when Koenigsegg came out with this it blew my mind… now I’m looking at a Hyundai that you can get this at the dealership." (62:31, Zach)

• Driving Dynamics – Street & Track:
  Street manners are firm—a necessity for body control with this much weight. On track, it’s impressively neutral and playful, especially with the innovative shift simulation and drift optimization modes.

  • "On the street, the car is stiff... At higher speeds it does a really good job, but if you’re going over chattery stuff... you’re gonna feel that." (62:43, Zach)

• Next-Level EV Gimmicks:
  Manual ‘gearing’ is simulated, paired to improved, more natural EV sounds—including selectable “spaceship” or, less flatteringly, “circular saw.”

  • "Downshifts… the sound is timed much better… it’s really good, like they refined the sound." (64:24, Zach)
  • “There’s one that just sounds like you’re walking through a Home Depot and someone’s demonstrating something.” (65:05, Zach)

• Drift Modes – Still a Work in Progress:
  The Ioniq 6 N’s drift and “N pedal” modes allow multi-axis fun but are hampered by inconsistent steering feel and overly complex drive mode menus.

  • "If I had a big note for steering, make it consistent." (68:23, Zach)
  • “Menus are insane… and I had the car for two days and still got lost.” (70:36, Zach)

• Memorable Moment (Track Mishap):

  • "I literally say, 'the back comes around'—and as I say it, the back comes around. I am suddenly a passenger." (77:02, Zach)

• Pricing & Practicality:
  Estimated US price of ~$70,000—expensive, even compared to a Model Y Performance. Quirky but comfortable and feature-rich.

  • “The design of it is subjectively odd in my opinion… a powerhouse gaming PC – can do anything you want, but trying to figure out how is not as intuitive as it should be.” (75:46, Zach & Matt)

4. Q&A: Patreon Lightning Round

[80:14–End]

• 911 Oversteer:
  Sudden, unpredictable oversteer in a modern Carrera suggests either a driving technique issue or mechanical fault (possibly bushings or alignment).
• Who Benefits from 2028 Election?
  Rivian, Lucid, and luxury EV makers stand to benefit from regulatory changes.
• Sporty Cars for Bad Backs:
  Porsche 911s, Mercedes E63, recent Acura/Integra, and certain GTIs/Golf Rs have excellent seats. Crossovers like Macan may suit some better.
• What’s Worth It in Supercars?
  Don’t pay a premium for ultra-low-mile cars like the 918. Buy with miles, use as intended.
• Aging Cars & Reliability:
  Japanese and especially Lexus cars age well; older German/Audi/Mini models typically do not.
• Customer Cars on Road Trips:
  A Lucid Air GT (electric) was a recent standout; vintage cars are rare due to practicality.
• Press Loan vs. Ownership Reviews:
  Owners harbor sunk cost biases; both professional reviews and owner stories can be useful if critically parsed.
• Chronograph Watches (Price Range Advice):
  Omega Speedmaster, Tudor Black Bay, Grand Seiko Tentagraph, Zenith Chronomaster Sport, various IWC. (104:15, Matt)
• ...and much more: from hot takes on car market inflation to track day prep advice, to random car trivia.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On ‘Perks’ of Automotive Journalism:
  “You have one chance to get all this situation right. $811. Like, what are we talking? Like, so how on God's green earth... am I supposed to drive this car when this is the earning potential of a piece of content?” (24:37, Matt)

• From the 918 review:
  "It’s the very definition of like driving a roller coaster that’s just on a rail. If you turn the stability control off, you can oversteer out of every corner, which I only tried once…" (38:13, Matt)

• Hyundai’s simulated EV ‘manual’:
  "There’s one that sounds like a circular saw… I don’t think anyone will enjoy because it just sounds like you’re walking through a Home Depot.” (65:07, Zach)

• Meta-moment:
  "I literally say, 'the back comes around'... and as I say it, the back comes around." (77:02, Zach)

Key Timestamps

• [04:17] — Matt begins detailed recount of Porsche 918 experience
• [06:10–26:23] — Controversy and realities of press cars / auto journalism
• [29:35–58:13] — Deep-dive: 918 engineering, road trip, philosophical reflections, depreciation vs. joy
• [58:13] — Transition: Zack’s Korea trip & Hyundai Ioniq 6 N review
• [60:10–76:19] — Ioniq 6 N on the road and track, features, driving impressions, and quirks
• [77:02] — Track mishap: Zack unintentionally spins the Ioniq 6 N, caught on camera
• [80:14–End] — Extended Patreon Q&A

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a trademark mix of frankness, humor, and technical depth, with both hosts unafraid to share industry realities, poke fun at themselves, and get delightfully sidetracked by nuanced car-nerd digressions. Their explanations are geared toward both enthusiasts and curious listeners, with a focus on transparency and demystifying the car industry.

Takeaway

Whether you’re an enthusiast keen to learn what a modern hypercar is like to actually live with, or curious about the next evolution of accessible performance EVs, this episode offers uniquely candid insight, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at car media’s realities. The Q&A section provides a rapid-fire, informative wrap-up, ensuring there’s something for every level of fan.