2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Boosted Veloster gets price boost also

Hyundai has pegged the upcoming Veloster Turbo sport compact coupe’s starting price tag at $25,999.
The Turbo Veloster has been one of the most eagerly anticipated launches in the market for 2013, after immediate and overwhelming approval of the Veloster three-door (it features a driver’s side door and two doors on the passenger’s side) when it was launched for 2012.

It will be available as one well-equipped model, with the only options being a $1,250 paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is standard) and Hyundai’s first application of a matte paint finish (Matte Grey), a $1,000 option. Among the unique Turbo appointments are: a new hexagonal grille separating projector headlamps with LED accents, sculpted side skirts bracketing 18-inch alloy wheels, and a rear diffuser housing twin centre-mounted exhaust tips.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre direct injected four-cylinder engine featuring a twin-scroll turbocharger and higher 9.5:1 compression, to boost power to 201 hp and torque to 195 lb.-ft. (the standard 1.6L “four” puts out 138 hp and 123 lb.-ft.). Economy is rated at 7.5 litres per 100 km city and 5.2 highway (only slightly worse than the normally aspirated engine’s 7.0 and 4.9, respectively).

Taking into account lighter weight (at 1,255 kg, Veloster Turbo is just 12 kg heavier than its base Veloster sibling and lighter than both the Honda Civic Si Coupe and Volkswagen GTI), it means projected zero to 100 km/h times in the nine-second range (which is similar to rivals).

The front MacPherson strut/rear torsion-beam suspension (with 24 mm front stabilizer and integrated 23 mm rear stabilizer) has also been tuned to better handle the increased power outputs and to deliver sportier manners. The steering has also been made quicker and larger brake rotors insure increased stopping power through anti-lock brakes (with brake assist and electronic distribution). Vehicle stability management is also standard.

Inside, there are unique two-tone leather seats with “Turbo” stitching, darker interior trim for a more upscale look, and a new electro-luminescent gauge cluster. It’s an upward evolution of the Tech Package available on the normally aspirated Veloster (which includes touch-screen navigation with back-up camera, 450-watt Dimension premium audio system with eight speakers, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy pedals, among others).