Thursday, February 19, 2015

Hyundai Pulls the Sheet from 2016 Veloster Rally Edition

In the time-honored tradition of the Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport and Dodge Challenger Rallye, the new Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition has little to do with Erik Carlsson, Michèle Mouton, or Sébastien Loeb. It’s as Monte Carlo as a Monte Carlo, as WRC as a CR-X. And Hyundai had the temerity to unveil the new model in Chicago, home of the famous Land of Lincoln Rally’s torturous Ditka Stage. Which is totally not a thing

Hyundai claims that the Turbo R-Spec–based Rally Edition was inspired by hot-rodded sportbikes. Because, you know, the first thing you think is like, “Hey bro! That Rally Veloster’s like a three-door FZR1000 with nitrous!” Er, perhaps not. But buyers do get matte-blue paint, a B&M short shifter, blue accents on the black leather seats, and carbon-fiber-look accents. That last fact makes us think of some kid with a CBR300R who wants to play World Superbike.

Wrapped with 225-section performance all-seasons, the 18-inch rolling stock comes from Rays, shaving off a considerable five pounds per corner, while spring, damper, and bar rates are a measure sportier than the R-Spec. Take it out on your favorite tarmac stage, but keep it out of the woods. You don’t wanna scratch the paint—that matte stuff doesn’t buff out so well.


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