All photos by Hyundai
12/12/2012
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Whoever came up with the idea of a Turbo Veloster at Hyundai deserves a big raise like now. Already a great car, the Veloster gets even better in looks and performance with the Turbo version, and with a six-speed manual transmission, we had a great time driving this machine.
Exterior
The first thing I noticed was the brilliant black paint, as the color was so deep and smooth it looked as though it was wet. From a bigger, bolder hexagonal front grille, sculpted side skirts, and new rear bumper with prominent diffuser vents in the lower fascia, the Veloster Turbo design differentiates itself with aggressive design cues relative to the base model. Enthusiasts will also notice the Veloster Turbo is available in a Hyundai-first Matte Gray paint. In addition, the dynamic looking 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts completes the Veloster Turbo's bold appearance. From the front, the Veloster Turbo also sports headlight LED accents. Hyundai designers have replaced the Veloster's trapezoidal center exhaust with two large round exhaust tips. This free-flowing exhaust design gives the engine a more robust sound, which will delight enthusiasts. Compliments were many as the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo M/T would get more attention than cars twice the price.
Interior
I was amazed at the refinement and quality of materials in the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo M/T, mostly because you just don’t see that in a car priced at $26,520. Inside, black leather seats with Turbo-embroidered stitching in the seatbacks deliver a sporty appearance and provide both exceptional support and comfort. A turbo-exclusive electroluminescent gauge cluster offers the driver information in a larger, clearer and more interactive format, with two TFT screens located between the tachometer and the speedometer. Even more, heated front sport seats heated quickly and are now standard on the Turbo version. The Veloster Turbo also incorporates race-inspired push-button start and alloy pedals as standard equipment to build on an already top-notch cabin. I went on a few drives with four people in the Veloster and room was sufficient for the crew.
Performance
The stat line is impressive as the 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the 2013 Veloster Turbo produces an impressive 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm with regular fuel. The Veloster Turbo also delivers a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and its engine offers best-in-class specific output. Hyundai's 1.6-liter Gamma turbocharged engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that, when combined with direct injection, results in near-instantaneous power delivery and minimal turbo lag. Twin-scroll turbochargers have traditionally been used on more expensive high performance engines, but Hyundai has brought this technology into much more affordable models like the Veloster. The Veloster Turbo is estimated to deliver 24 mpg city and 35 mpg highway for manual transmission models for a combined 28 mpg. The drive is very smooth; shifting is a breeze and makes one feel confident in their “stick shift” skills. Performance was satisfactory, and though pure power is lacking, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo M/T makes up for some of that with precise handling.
Overview
The choices for consumers are vast today when looking for a new car and Hyundai continues to grow their brand by building cars like the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo M/T. Rest assured the Veloster isn’t just about good looks; the interior is top-notch and performance and handling are impressive. When discussing the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo M/T with others, the biggest surprise was the value pricing, as our loaded out test model had a sticker price of $26,520, which had some folks in near shock. At some point, we wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more power, but other than that, this is a gem of ride from Hyundai!
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