At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai
will reveal a new turbocharged version of the 1+2 door Veloster sports
coupe. Through the addition of a turbocharger, engineers at the Hyundai
Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, have boosted
power output and increased low-end torque to best suit European driving
tastes and enhance driver enjoyment.
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The Veloster Turbo is the first Hyundai to
feature the company’s 1,6-litre GDI engine with a high-compression,
twin-scroll turbocharger. In European specification, this new T-GDI
unit generates 186 ps and 270 Nm of torque. In non-turbocharged form,
the Veloster offers 140 ps and 167 Nm.
Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of
Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “UK drivers tend to prefer more torque from
a lower engine speed, so our European engineers have specified a set-up
that still provides a substantial increase in power – up from 140 ps to
186 ps – while also delivering the desired low-end torque. The
resulting package is very competitive against the performance of
competitors such as VW Scirocco and Vauxhall Astra.” |
“Veloster has quickly
established itself as a fun car
and a unique proposition,”
Whitehorn added. “The enhanced
performance will increase the
Veloster’s appeal for drivers
who want the perfect combination
of stand-out design, a fun drive
and the practicality of a
hatchback.”
Maximizing fuel efficiency and
performance, the new engine has an air-guided intercooler, direct fuel
injection system and dual CVVT, with a bed plate and a serpentine
auxiliary belt adopted for enhanced engine reliability. Accelerating
from 0-60 mph, Veloster Turbo takes just 8.4 seconds (manual) compared
to the 9.7 seconds (manual) of the regular Veloster*
Exact CO2 emissions and fuel
economy figures for the new Veloster Turbo will be announced nearer to
launch in the UK.
Veloster Turbo is fitted with a
quicker-ratio steering rack and a revised steering calibration to match,
which provide for precise cornering, feedback and control. As with the
turbocharged engine, the front and rear suspension set-ups have been
tuned to match the expectations of European drivers.
The driving experience is further
enhanced by the sport-tuned engine intake and exhaust notes: the
trapezoidal centre tailpipes of the normally-aspirated Veloster have
been replaced with two larger free-flowing circular pipes, allowing for
a more robust sound.
To handle the power enhancements,
Veloster Turbo is paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission –
developed in-house by Hyundai – featuring a wider gear ratio spread to
handle the additional torque output.
The new Veloster Turbo has the same
practical appeal as the original model, thanks to the innovative 1+2
door design. It also now features unique front and rear bumpers and
foglights, new rear spoiler and grille, new 18-inch alloy wheels with
chrome inserts, projection headlights with unique LED headlight accents,
and unique LED taillights. These elements further accentuate the car’s
eye-catching styling and add a greater emphasis on its performance.
The Veloster Turbo will come with
Hyundai’s industry-best Five Year Triple Care assurance – a combination
of a five-year unlimited warranty, five years of roadside assistance and
five years of vehicle health checks. Pricing for the UK will be
announced nearer launch.
