Equipped with a dual-clutch automatic, a 2012 Veloster we tested got to 60 in 9.8 seconds.The 2,813-pound, 138-horsepower car crossed the quarter-mile in 17.4 seconds at a speed of 81.2 mph. While this number is acceptable, it's fairly underwhelming for those of us looking for something fun and funky.
Hyundai apparently agrees, as it has just (officially) announced the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo to run against the likes of the Mini Cooper S, Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI.
The Veloster Turbo swaps in a 1.6-liter inline-4 with a twin-scroll turbocharger good for 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque at 1,750-4,500 rpm. From there, power goes to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with a, wait for it, torque converter. Braking is done by 11.8-inch ventilated discs with sliding calipers up front and 10.3-inch solid discs out back. Tires are P215/40VR18. Like the regular Veolster, the Turbo has electric steering but the ratio is now 13.9:1 compared with 14.2.
Hyundai pegs the curb weight at 2,800-2,917 pounds for the manual and 2,888-3,005 for the automatic.
(The above photo doesn't show anything particularly interesting, but it came out of the camera like this and I dug it.)
And now we venture into the world of photos provided by the manufacturer....
blackdynamite1 says:
02:30 PM, 01/ 9/12
A lotta ugly for one car, but.......get it under $20k, and you have a hit on your hands!
BD
moparbad says:
02:53 PM, 01/ 9/12
Veloster is not my definition of ugly.
Honda's sales numbers for 2011, now that is ugly.....and the Crosstour is even more ugly.
stovt001 says:
03:28 PM, 01/ 9/12
Wait, why would the hot model get a traditional automatic while the base model gets the DCT?
coolb944 says:
04:04 PM, 01/ 9/12
Those bazooka tailpipes a la CTS-V coupe are over-promising here. The grille also just looks enormous now, like a big suckerfish.
Btw anyone else take a look at the Genesis Coupe in the background? Still not sold on the facelift.
smilez says:
05:04 PM, 01/ 9/12
Better looking than just about any Toyota...
cr_driver says:
05:22 PM, 01/ 9/12
Interesting offering with the turbo disguise and the turbo power.
But, so far paper only, wanna see real world numbers. Full tests coming.
alex38 says:
06:09 PM, 01/ 9/12
@ BD talking smack again: "lotta ugly....blah blah"
Might not be the best looking to your eyes, but to me, a whole lot more interesting than ANYTHING in Toyota's lineup.
eldaino2 says:
07:14 PM, 01/ 9/12
Something about it works better than the base model....but
I have a feeling outside of better acceleration, the handling will be classic hyundai: not upcto snuff.
And even with the stick, i doubt it will be less than 20k
j2j says:
10:23 PM, 01/ 9/12
Gotta love the same old tired smack talk from bd1, even tho Lexus is full of ugly these days with that new corporate "Predator" grill. lol
gtrguy2012 says:
10:35 PM, 01/ 9/12
201HP should be decent, but it's not gonna win any drag races even in this segment. Give it that 274hp sonata turbo engine, and now you have a hot rod!
collisio888 says:
04:11 AM, 01/10/12
It's painful for the entrenched, confined mind when something so new and compelling enters our world. We bash it because it clashes with everything that is supposed to be. But things change, so we have to deal with it.
I'm feelin' this!
Hyundai will not only sell this, but over time this will be refined to become an established name(and great name btw; 'Bout time someone actually named a car!).
Still not sure about it's behaviour, but I'm sure the aforementioned refinement process will come and this will be what the CR-z should have been.
gloss says:
06:10 AM, 01/10/12
100-200 lbs lighter than a GTI, roughly the same (rated) power. Should be interesting.
Not really sold on the front end. Looks like a little guy trying to toughen up by sprouting a beard. Maybe it's a grower.
coxwill says:
07:14 AM, 01/10/12
I like it...but I'm really not feeling those wheels.
Has anyone sat in the back seat of one of these? I was wondering if the rear hatch is head smackin'?
x_defector says:
07:20 AM, 01/10/12
Why does its face look like a basking shark getting ready to swim through a school of krill?
isaacl says:
08:24 AM, 01/10/12
anyone who thinks this thing is starting under 22,000 i believe is mistaken. I hope I'm wrong because I would be seriously interested in this thing for my next commuter.....but we are NOT going to see it bow starting $20,000. nice thought though.
duck87 says:
09:10 AM, 01/10/12
@stovt001: The DSG likely isn't able to handle the torque output, which increases quite substantially in this model.
Still, considering the base model takes nearly 10 seconds to get to 60, what numbers can be expected out of a turbo Veloster? 7-ish seconds, 14 second 1/4 mile? It will also be priced with, and competing against cars like the GTI, upcoming FR-S and Si, all of which are much more desirable sport compacts imo.
tanktaco says:
01:46 PM, 01/10/12
Well if Froza 4 is any indication, then that turbo is exactly what this little car needed. I just hope the price can stay down, and it comes in green.
85se says:
02:22 PM, 01/10/12
@coxwill, I haven't personally, but recently shared the customer shuttle at my local dealer with a lady who said she shoehorned her teenage son into the back and ended up buying an Elantra instead.
I like it! Though the first two pro pic made me think of this pic from TopGear: http://www.supertightstuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/clarkson-face-ariel-atom.jpg
I hope Hyundai sells a ton of em.
eldaino2 says:
07:42 PM, 01/10/12
Colossio888: lol, if honda, one of the biggest names in sport compacts with several of the most famous models under its belt cant make a name for itself anymore, this hyundai will.
We have yet to see a crz si. Reserve judgement until then.