Veloster turbocharged
This will add to the already popular twomodel naturally aspirated Veloster range which has been with us in New Zealand for several months. To be known as the Veloster SR Turbo the higher-performance version of the Hyundai coupe will not only offer more power and better handling but also higher levels of specification.
The Veloster SR Turbo is powered by an all-new version of Hyundai’s Gamma 1.6-litre four. It now features a twin-scroll turbocharged version of the unit, known as the T-GDi (after Gasoline (petrol) Direct Injection) engine. Thus the Veloster SR Turbo has access to 46 per cent more peak power than the atmospheric model, with 150 kW now available at 6000 rpm. Torque gets a boost too, to the tune of 60 per cent more than the standard Veloster. The Veloster SR dishes out its maximum torque of 265Nm between the 1750 and 4500 rpm points on the tachometer.
The twin-scroll turbine housing and exhaust manifold, when combined with direct injection, results in almost lag-free power delivery and more usable low-end torque.
A twin-scroll turbo recovers even more energy from the exhaust than a larger single-scroll turbocharger, due to a divided manifold. The twinscroll design separates the cylinders, whose exhaust gas pulses interfere with each other, resulting in improved pressure distribution in the exhaust ports and a more efficient delivery of exhaust gas energy to the turbocharger’s turbine. The smaller turbocharger vanes also accelerate more quickly, further contributing to the car’s lowend flexibility.
The Veloster SR Turbo is available with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission, the latter fitted with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. However, with Hyundai offering the automatic only in the standard car, it’s possible that the SR will be an automatic car only.
The fuel economy of the Veloster SR is 6.8 L/100km in manual form, with 7.6 L/100km possible with the auto, so fuel economy has not suffered with the use of a turbocharger. Emissions levels are also low for a performance car being 163g and 181g/km for the respective manual and automatic versions.
On the ride and handling front, Hyundai make much of the fact that extensive suspension tuning and the specific calibration of the cars’ chassis systems was actually undertaken in Australia over thousands of kilometres and various road conditions with an eye on maximum stability while maintaining high comfort levels.
To define it from the standard car, the Veloster SR Turbo takes the coupe’s irrefutably unique design concept one step further with a number of what Hyundai calls ‘sports inspired’ exterior modifications, to deliver a more potent visual identity. The front’s large telltale hexagonal grille has circular front fog lamps and projector beam headlamps with daytime running lights, while 18 inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, shod with low profile tyres, are linked by the SR’s special sculpted side skirts.
The rear of the Veloster SR Turbo gets a rear diffuser in its lower fascia with twin circular chrome exhaust tips housed in the rear bumper. This free-flowing exhaust design also provides a more sporting engine note. The car’s sweeping panorama glass sunroof arches down to meet the glass hatch with a rear spoiler feature, and circular rear reflectors.
The Veloster SR Turbo’s exterior is carried through inside too. The centre console stack has a contemporary metallic look, and creates a focal point and for the Veloster’s top specification model will house the latest in multimedia technology, and a multi-functional 7-inch LCD touchscreen. What Hyundai calls the Supervision Instrument Cluster, features signature blue back-lighting and provides greater clarity for the driver while a large centre display provides an array of vehicle operation and information, and there’s a trip computer with instant and average fuel consumption, distance to empty, trip distance, average speed, elapsed time readout and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Systems, like audio, phone, trip computer and cruise control, are all operated from the steering wheel, which also has paddle-shift transmission controls, standard on the automatic variant.
Seating, trimmed in a leather/leatherette combination is formed into two sports bucket seats up front with a turbo-embroidered signature, the power driver’s item featuring lumbar support in front of a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel. The driver and passenger have active head restraints, and climate control air conditioning.
Pricing for the new Veloster SR Turbo coupe is expected to be just under $50,000 and while this is an awful lot more than the Australian starting price of $31,990, it is expected that New Zealand models will have a higher basic specification than those across the Tasman. The SR Turbo will be trickling into showrooms over the next few weeks.