DETROIT – Hyundai unveils its high-performance Veloster N, a sporty combination coupe-hatchback that’s intended to turbocharge the brand’s image.
The N model spinoff debuts at the North American International Auto Show, as does a redesigned ’19 Veloster that’s less powerful. It’s billed as reborn because Hyundai halted Veloster production last year.
“Veloster N takes Hyundai to a new level of purchase consideration for true driving enthusiasts in the U.S. market,” says Albert Biermann, who heads the South Korean automaker’s performance division.
The vehicle, which goes on sale at the end of this year, will offer a 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged engine. Estimated power numbers are 275 hp at 6,000 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (351 Nm) at 1,450-4,700 rpm.
That output is not overwhelming, but Hyundai says it is focusing more on N drivers’ heartbeats per minute – calling it “BPM” – rather than eye-popping RPM.
Still, the automaker says Veloster N “has been developed to deliver thrilling cornering ability coupled with everyday sports-car drivability and race-track capability.”
The turbo system intercooler is isolated from the condenser and radiator for more efficient cooling of the intake charge. The system also uses a two-stage induction system to enhance output at all rpm ranges.
The engine compression ratio is 9.5:1, high for a turbocharged engine. The high-performance engine is mated to a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with downshift rev-matching capability.
Veloster debuted in 2011 as sort of a two-in-one vehicle, says Min-Chul Koo, Hyundai’s director-interior design, referring to its sporty coupe and hatchback elements.
The second-generation version has a more pronounced look, he says at the debut, in part because “we pulled back the A pillars and lowered the roof.”
The design mission was “to make a statement,” says Daniel Han, Hyundai Motor America’s manager-advanced strategy. “Veloster owners want to stand out from the crowd.”
Veloster sales have been up and down since its 2011 launch. “We sold a good number of these things, and we think we can do it again,” Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor tells WardsAuto at the Detroit auto show. “Veloster brings in young customers.”
Hyundai sold 34,862 Velosters in the U.S. in 2012, according to WardsAuto data. That fell to 24,245 in 2015. Deliveries rose to 30,053 in 2016. They dropped to 12,658 units last year during the production lull.
Overall, the Veloster has done relatively well in the market, says Ian Beavis, a marketing executive who worked for Ford and Kia and now is chief strategy officer for AMCI, a marketing consultancy.
“The trouble with many sporty cars is they sell well for a couple of years and then fall off,” he tells WardsAuto. “But it should help that Hyundai now has the Veloster N version. Millennials want small and sporty, if they want a car.”
