‘STRETCHING THE COUPE TO NEW BOUNDARIES’ 

Hyundai is making new waves here with innovation, styling, quality, performance for a fair asking price; the latest is the all-new 2012 Veloster that I just finished testing and photographing.

The all-new Veloster is a three-door coupe design with the functionality of a hatch and a passenger-side forward-hinged rear door.  It features the 1.6 liter GDI (gas-direct-injected) Gamma inline 4-cylinder engine and mated to the Hyundai standard proprietary six-speed manual transmission or the optional and Hyundai’s first EcoShift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission.  Both transmissions give the Veloster up to 40mpg/highway miles.

What makes the all-new Veloster even more useful is its full complement of high-tech connectivity abilities starting with the standard multi-function seven-inch touch screen display that features Pandora internet radio capability, Gracenote display technology with voice recognition, video game console connectivity with a 115-volt power outlet, Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, standard Blue Link telematics platform, Blue Link Assurance provides a free introductory period of complementary core safety services including Automatic Crash Notification and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Blue Link Essentials provides Voice Text Messaging, Remote Door Unlock/Lock, Remote Horn & Lights, Panic Notification, Alarm Notification, Quick Tips, Location Sharing, Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification, Maintenance Alert, Monthly Vehicle Report, Recall Advisor, Web Vehicle Diagnostics, Stolen Vehicle Recovery, Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, Vehicle Immobilization, Valet Alert, Geofence, Speed Alert and Curfew.

Blue Link Guidance provides Turn-by-Turn Navigation, POI Search by advanced voice recognition system, POI Web Search & Download, Daily Route Guidance with Traffic Condition, Traffic, Gas Station Locations & Gas Prices, Eco-Coach, Restaurant Ratings, and Weather Report.  This list of telematics is the most extensive of any other non-premium coupe or sedan on the market.

Veloster’s unique design takes inspiration from a high-performance sport bike.  Veloster has distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance.  In the front is an aggressive form of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights.   Optional packages add a chrome grille surround, piano black highlights, fog lights and a massive dual panoramic sunroof that makes the entire roof length glass to decrease weight and lower the center of gravity.

In profile the Veloster features ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ character lines, a deep scallop below each door, muscular wheel arches, bodycolor door handles and mirrors, and wraparound headlights and taillights.  The Veloster comes standard with 17 inch alloy wheels and offers two types of 18 inch wheels.  The top-of-the-line 18 inch wheels that I had shod on my test model had painted inserts, a segment first and a real eye-catcher.

Veloster’s dynamic rear design has a distinctive glass hatch with spoiler, dual centered chrome rectangular exhaust outlets, a segment first, and a black lower fascia that complements the assertive front fascia.

Inside you’ll notice that the entire dashboard and doors are covered in black carbon fiber weave and that the center stack and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank and incorporate an optional push-button start/stop in the lower center of the stack.  The air vents are inspired by motorcycle tailpipes; while the floor console mirrors the deeply cut comfortable and supportive front bucket seats.  Metallic accents abound throughout the interior and give the interior a more spacious look and feel.  Alloy pedals and a leather wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel and shift knob are optional.  All dials, switches and buttons are within easy reach and fully illuminated for safe nighttime travel.  The instrument cluster is also easy to see and understand.

Veloster combines the style of a coupe and the functionality of a hatchback, while also incorporating an additional passenger-side door.  In the past, some coupes have used smaller rear-hinged access doors.  These coupes have always been compromised by having to open the driver-side door before the rear door could be opened, proving to be inconvenient for both the driver and passenger, and extremely difficult to operate in tight parking lot situations.  Hyundai’s fresh take here implements a conveniently hinged door on the passenger side of the Veloster, providing safe and ready access to the surprisingly spacious rear seats.  It is also convenient for loading or unloading cargo when the second-row seats are folded.  The passenger-side rear door handle is hidden to maintain the coupe design.  Another Hyundai first that works!

Moving the all-new Veloster forward is the all-new Gamma 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine that is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI).  GDI helps deliver highway fuel economy of 40mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability.  Despite its small size it deliver big numbers like 138hp at 6,300rpm and 123lb.ft. of torque at 4,850rpm.  But GDI is only part of the story as the new Gamma also features dual continuously variable valve timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN physical vapor deposition coating and diamond like carbon coating.

Hyundai’s commitment to making the Gamma engine extremely fuel efficient continues by pairing it with a standard silky-smooth, close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission that I used in my test Veloster, or an optional, all-new six-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission developed by Hyundai.

Even though the hp and torque number are under 150hp the Veloster didn’t seem like ‘dead-wood’ when accelerating on city streets or merging into fast moving freeways inLos Angeles.  Its low weight of just 2,584lbs. is 400lbs. lighter than a new Scion tC and more than 80lbs. lighter than a new Mini Cooper S.  I was truly impressed with how quickly the Veloster gained speed when I shifter from first into third then forth gears.

The low weight also helps with agility and handling capability, not to mention the unique suspension system up front and in the rear.

The Veloster is fitted with a MacPherson strut front setup with coil springs, gas shocks and a 24mm stabilizer bar.  The rear setup features a lightweight V-torsion beam, a Hyundai first with an integrated 23mm stabilizer bar to allow bracing of the arms for greater stiffness and to further control body roll.  The rear setup also features monotube shocks for ride comfort.  I was impressed at how well this front-wheel-drive vehicle responded to my steering inputs but that is also because the Veloster features a sport-tuned electric power steering system that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a hydraulic system.  A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in.  The Veloster’s turning diameter is just 34.1ft., better than the Scion tC’s 37.4ft., Honda’s CR-Z’s 35.4ft., and Mini’s 35.1ft.

Veloster stops with authority thanks to large, power-assisted steel disc brakes at all four corners.  Up front are 11 inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers while 10.3 inch solid discs in the rear are clamped with large single-piston calipers.  Keeping you in control during severe braking maneuvers is standard ABS, BA, EBD, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control all working together to keep you on track.

Veloster protects you and your passengers with six airbags-up front, front seat-mounted impact bags, full side-curtain airbags, five 3-point safety belts with pretensioners/load limiters up front, tire pressure monitoring system, front and rear crumple zones plus steel beams in each door.

In the digital age everyone wants to be connected to their electronics at all times so as mentioned earlier, Veloster comes with a seven-inch touch screen display to operate the aforementioned devices.

Veloster is available with two audio systems, a standard 196-watt AM-FM-satellite radio-CD-MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod/USB/auxiliary input jacks.  A 450-watt Dimension Premium Audio system with eight-speakers including an eight-inch subwoofer and external amplifier are optional.  Also available is a navigation system.

The all-new Veloster is something very special with its unique design, functionality, performance, and featuring the latest in connectivity to keep all electronics enthusiasts happy as they drive their new Veloster.

COPYRIGHT:2011:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Veloster $17,300.00 / $21.395.00 as tested loaded
• Engine: 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder 138 horsepower @ 6300 rpm / 123 ft-lbs. @ 4850 rpm
• Track: f/r-61.3/61.8in.
• Ground clearance: 5.6in.
• Coefficient of drag: 0.32
• Headroom: f/r-37.2/35.3in. with sunroof
• Legroom: f/r-43.9/31.7in.
• Passenger volume: 80.8cu.ft.
• Cargo volume: 15.5cu.ft. with seats up/34.7cu.ft. with seats down
• Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons
• 0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds
• EPA mileage: 28mpg/city, 40mpg/highway