Turbocharged Veloster breaks cover. Is this the first proper Korean hot hatch?
Details and pics have slipped out about what could be the first serious Korean hot hatch, the new Hyundai Veloster turbo, ahead of the car's official unveiling at the Detroit motor show.
We'll know more about the car when it's officially unveiled, but we can tell you that the 1.6-litre turbocharged coupe/hot hatch will get 201hp, 196lb ft of torque and either a six-speed manual or twin-clutch transmission.
It will also weigh in at 1270kg. That's a solid 150kg less than a Golf GTI and so should make it a pretty rapid prospect.
Power of course is only part of the equation, but we'll be trying out the 140hp, 123lb ft naturally aspirated 1.6 Veloster in the next few weeks, so we'll see then whether or not it'll make a decent platform for a bit more power.
Hyundai: Please show us some styling details that we can use on our new car. Designer: OK, here's some styling features that other cars have used. Hyundai: We'll have them. Designer: Which ones? Hyundai: All of them.
As much as I dislike how this thing looks, I wish it every success!! Its nice to see something that looks a bit different, and the stats are promising!
I rather like it - at least it's interesting, unlike most of the other mid-sized hatchbacks on the market which look almost exactly the same as each other. The stupid mat paint does it no favours, though.
Surprised it's only 200hp, i'd have thought they'd have pushed atleast 240-250 out of it to be any serious threat to the Focus/Megane/Astra/Scirroco/Golf that's out now or coming out.
Well it looks bloated and fussy with a helping of chintz and has a huge grill, all set to do well. The relative lightness of the thing compares favourably, that's welcome.
plus its called Veloster. Sounds like a 1970's vacuum cleaner! Whoever did market research for that should be shot!
also, is this the car that has silly advert on the now with 'a car with two sides' or something equally pointless?
Yes, but at least it shows it doing a handbrake turn, which makes a change from the usual 'look at our cupholders and idiot-compensation systems' ads.
Haha!! not being rude but, are you from essex, aged 18 with a an escort xr3 in the drive? not to stereotype but thats usually the consumer who think 'Sold!' when they see a handbrake turn!
