The Garage has been keenly interested in Hyundais Veloster three-door sport coupe, which replaced the now forgotten Tiburon. One thing about the Veloster critics harped on the most was a lack of power. That complaint was answered at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where our founding editor Gary Grant was on hand for the unveiling of the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo.
And the news was good. The heart of the Veloster Turbo is a new 1.6L direct injected twin-scroll turbocharged four cranking out 201hp. If that still does not impress you, consider this: the first Porsche Boxster had the same horsepower and less torque from a 2.7L flat six. And I doubt the Porsche boasts the 26/38 MPG city/highway fuel economy of the Veloster Turbo-on regular gas. Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual or automatic.
Hyundai did not simply drop in a hotter engine and stop there. The Veloster Turbo sports its own unique front fascia and body kit. Also standard are leather heated sport seats, sport-tuned exhaust and steering, unique 18 alloys, LED lighting accents front and rear, an electroluminescent instrument panel, push button start and alloy pedals. The fun starts at an impressive $21,950USD for a six-speed manual model. Add $1,000 for the automatic, plus $775 destination charge. With the upcoming Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS which cost far more with the same amount of power-but offer rear wheel drive, if I were them Id be nervous. Because the majority of buyers here arent going to look at the Veloster Turbo and not buy it because it wont win a drifting competition. Food for thought, indeed, as the affordable sports coupe war-dormant for years, is back in full swing.
Related posts:
- Hyundai makes dreams come true in Detroit with launch of Veloster Turbo
- Hyundai Veloster: Now On Sale!
- 2012 Hyundai Veloster
- Hyundai Announces 11 Sonata Pricing
- Review: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo
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