The Hyundai Veloster has always stood out from the crowd, defying convention in the compact car market. In its first redesign the two-and-a-half door hatchback keeps what makes it unique. Powertrains range from a 2.0L 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic, to a 1.6L turbo 4 cylinder mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. No power output is reported for the 2.0L but the 1.6L turbo squeezes out just over 200 hp. With manual transmissions available on both engine options the Veloster continues to pursue the purist enthusiast. Hyundai’s big news is its “N” performance package. The Veloster N cranks the power up to 275 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque out of just two liters. The 6-speed manual in the N features an automatic rev-matching system and transfers power through an electronic limited-slip differential. Visually the N is differentiated by red rocker panel and front fascia trim. The interior of the N receives cloth sport seats and unique steering wheel. Expect to see the Veloster N in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Well, we should have seen this coming. After following the pattern Toyota set forth over 25 years ago with the Lexus line, Hyundai has spun its Genesis sedans off as a separate brand. Heralding the debut of this new premium brand is the G90. The G90 is effectively the replacement for the value-priced but ambiguously styled Equus executive sedan. Where the Equus styling was contrived and cluttered, the G90 is stately and sports what Genesis calls ‘athletic elegance’. The G90 will be accompanied by the current Hyundai Genesis sedan which will be rebranded as the Genesis G80. Genesis will then add a G70 sport sedan and an ‘N’ performance trim to various models in its lineup. No word beyond the initial three sedans but we would be surprised if Genesis doesn’t branch out into other vehicle segments. No word on G90 pricing but we would expect it to be in line with the Equus which starts around $61,000. Propulsion is provided by means of a 3.3L twin turbocharged V6 or a Hyundai’s 5.0L V8. Expect a suite of safety technology such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, smart cruise control, stop/start, blind spot detection, and lane keep assist. We look forward to seeing how Hyundai’s new brand develops.
It is hard to believe that it has been 30 model years since Hyundai introduced the lowly Excel to the United States. Priced at $4995 it pretty much was undercut in price (and quality) by only the Yugo GV. The Excel has long left the market and Hyundai has slowly and surely been moving the top end of its brand upmarket. Rather than introduce a separate marque to sell premium cars Hyundai has simply added the range topping Equus. The ‘base’ Equus we piloted starts at $61,250. For that type of money one could purchase a whole fleet of Excels if one were skilled enough to find any unlikely survivors. And yet at just over sixty grand the Equus undercuts similarly spec’ed flagships like the 7-Series and A8. This pricing strategy mirrors that of Lexus in its inaugural 1989 model year. Has Hyundai truly refined its skills to offer a legitimate luxury cruiser capable of threatening the established BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus offerings? Will the well-to-do be willing to shop for their Equus in the same showroom as those who are negotiating for low monthly payments on an Elantra? Watch as we ponder these questions in the video above. Read more…
The Hyundai Genesis did a lot to polish Hyundai’s image in the US and even earned the 2009 North American Car of the Year award so the followup needs to be good and Hyundai rolled out its best effort today at the North American International Auto Show. The V6 and V8 engines and 8-speed automatic carry over, but all-wheel drive becomes an option on both trims and the chassis has been comprehensively upgraded to improve rigidity. The infotainment and telematics systems are also updated to the best Hyundai has to offer. Heads up display is now on board and the luxury list is topped by a 900-watt 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. The new Hyundai style features a very bold front grille but it’s not anything larger than Audi uses so we know we will get used to it. In the meantime check out our quick video overview for some 360 degree coverage.
The success of the Hyundai Genesis and Equus have been proof that skeptics of the Korean brand should sit up and take notice. Once exclusively a budget focused brand, the sales success and resale value retention of the premium Genesis and Equus have caused Hyundai to evaluate in which direction it can take its upscale offerings. Once known for frumpy and ambiguously styled sedans and crossovers, Hyundai has been on a design renaissance the last several years. The only cars avoiding this trendsetting style are the Genesis and Equus sedans. In an effort to convey the design direction of these two cars, Hyundai unveiled the HCD-14 (presumably Hyundai Concept Design number 14). This rear-wheel drive sedan features a long hood, suicide doors, and a menacing grille, leaving an impression the car rolled off the pages of a Batman Comic Book. We like the slick roofline, winged Genesis badges, and simple upright grille. Hyundai executives were clear that this car is not a thinly disguised next-generation Genesis, but rather, a design inspiration for the direction Hyundai’s premium offerings will head. Read more…
The Veloster is the answer to Hyundai critics who, until recently, declared that the company could produce no original designs and instead took the lazy approach of borrowing several themes from other automakers and mixing them into one car, usually with dull results. Obviously that charge can’t be leveled at the surprisingly original and pleasantly sporty Veloster. There’s nothing out there with the same combination of concept car flair like the center exhaust tips and functional enhancements like the second door on the passenger side. It’s a look we were immediately won over by, but after a week of living with the sport coupe would we still be smitten? You’ll have to watch our video review for that answer. Read more…
We Sample Two New Elantras and the Turbocharged Veloster
We can use a lot of words to describe Hyundai but lazy isn’t one of them. Their showrooms are filled with one of the freshest lineups in the industry and that’s a big reason they are on track for another record sales year. In fact, it doesn’t seem to matter which metric you choose—fleet fuel efficiency, incentive levels, transaction prices, day supply—Hyundai is in stellar operational shape. Without a doubt their biggest challenge is meeting demand with the serious production constraints they face. But that hasn’t stopped Hyundai from developing new product and continuing to flesh out their lineup. We recently spent a day with President and CEO John Krafcik as he showed off three new additions to existing model ranges at Michigan International Speedway. Read more…
Quite honestly we’ve been smitten with the Veloster since the very moment Hyundai rolled it out on the floor of the 2011 NAIAS as a concept. To say that there are some pretty big expectations placed on this little hatch / coupe would be an understatement. Let us explain.
Hyundai executives appeared to have much to celebrate about this year. Having ended 2011 with double digit sales increases as well as numerous industry recognitions and awards, Hyundai started 2012 by receiving the North American Car of the Year Award for its Elantra. Their Detroit introductions included two updates to their existing sporty cars, the Veloster and Genesis coupes. The big news for Veloster is a new 201 hp turbocharged 1.6L four cylinder. This new powertrain achieves 38 mpg on the highway partly due to the Veloster’s low power to weight ratio of 14 lbs/hp. The specific output of that 1.6L is an impressively high 125.6 hp/liter. On the outside the performance oriented coupe benefits from a unique grille treatment and can now be ordered with matte finish paint. Read more…
One of the most anticipated industry awards is the annual North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. The title is highly coveted by automakers due in no small part to the proprietary nature of the voting by 50 journalists from the United States and Canada. The Hyundai Elantra beat out the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat to take the 2012 award even though your humble editors had publicly predicted a Passat victory. Though photos and video of the 2011 Elantra were mistakenly displayed as a Hyundai executive accepted the award, make no mistake that the 2012 Elantra is a car that appears to be deserving of the accolades. Read more…
