2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo First Drive

[Autoguide.com]

Veloster Turbo adds performance, lacks passion
By Colum Wood

If there is a single complaint to be made about the Hyundai Veloster, it’s that it simply doesn’t have enough power. The solution, it seems, would be to strap a turbocharger to the small 4-cylinder and increase engine output by roughly 50 percent. With Hyundai having done just that in the all-new 2013 Veloster Turbo, it’s now apparent that that’s not all it needs.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with the Veloster Turbo. In fact, it’s quite impressive – or at least it is with a stick shift. The issue is that it’s a calculated take on building an enthusiasts car.

So what’s missing? Lots actually. There’s no limited slip differential, no upgraded suspension components, no high performance summer tires and no exhaust note. In short, there’s no passion.

There’s an absence of those finishing touches, the bits you know wound up on a car because someone at the company desperately wanted it to be the fastest, the coolest or the most fun.

TURBO ENGINE DELIVERS THE GOODS

And yet the Veloster Turbo is still fast, fun and good looking. Powering the car is a twin-scroll turbocharger that’s been mated to the brand’s 1.6-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder making 201 hp at 6000 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque at 1750 rpm. Combined with a curb weight of 2,800 lbs, it hustles – although again that depends upon the transmission. Unlike the standard Veloster there is no dual-clutch automatic, and in its place is a conventional torque converter auto-box. That unit just seems to zap power from the engine making it feel like the power rating is closer to 160 hp.

That’s hardly the worst feature of the automatic, however. No, its biggest transgression towards performance is how the typical delay in power delivery associated with an automatic seems to upset the car’s balance when cornering. As mentioned, no changes have been made to the Veloster’s suspension components and it is perhaps that, as well as the added 88 lbs of weight the automatic adds over the front axle, that results in a tipping point when the power engages mid-corner, inducing understeer and resulting in an unnerving sensation.

STICK-SHIFT HELPS BRING THE CAR TO LIFE

Swapping for the stick-shift and it’s hard to believe this is even the same car. Along with being lighter up front, with a manual you’re always in the right gear and the car sets nicely in corners and tracks true.

Read the complete Hyundai Veloster Turbo Review at AutoGuide.com

[Vicarious Chair]

I love how directly it rips off the shape for the running lights from the MS3. Hyundai thought they could make a cooler MZ3 and MS3. I think their phoniness has failed them. I'd like to see how the car is selling. I live too close to a Hyundai dealer to tell if they're actually purchased or just being test ran by a customer/relocated to the lot.

Although.. I do like that torque number at 1750rpm in respect of MPGs. And the curb weight is a real nice number, too. But inherently the car is smaller and more compacted in areas than the MS3 to be considered a perfect competitor. A good competitor, though. I just hate the competition.

Go team Mazda!

[3i2011]

It competes with like a Civic Si or Fiat 500 Abarth. At least they gave it a little power to back up its aggressive looks. The non turbo one I cant take seriously.

[mazda3UR]

There is a rumor they will drop a turbo version of the elentra.
I test drove the sonata turbo and I personally LOVED it. Just wasn't a hatchback.

[HJLee]

wait...how are the running lights like the ms3? i dont see it haha care to explain for me? haha i've been staring at it for awhile now too so i feel like an idiot..

I like how the turbo veloster looks. wonder how it'll perform after some bolt on's and tune haha

[LEGIONAIR]

Looks like a fat subie brz and scion frs front that got hit with the ugly stick. Id keep my 3

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[Vicarious Chair]

This is what I mean

[E.Tinker]

For a base price of ~$23k the omissions of a tuned/semi-tuned suspension, LSD and the lack of power compared to the MS3 make it far less appealing.

I like the idea of the Veloster Turbo, but the reality of it falls a bit short of expectation...especially considering the competition.

[Sp33dyGarcia]

I agree with tink, I think this power should be on the base veloster not a "performance edition" in a mid 20k range

[3i2011]

Originally Posted by sp33dy1013

I agree with tink, I think this power should be on the base veloster not a "performance edition" in a mid 20k range

It should have the 1.6t standard (201 hp) and the 2.0t (273?hp) from the Sonata/Genesis as "performance". Then it would haul ass. It'd be like a 2.3 DISI in a Mazda2. Speaking of which, they need to make a Mazdaspeed2. The skyactiv 2.0 would make it pretty quick and it'd get like 50mpg, or even the MZR 2.0/2.5. Or they can turbo it somehow.