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It's going to be a winner for Hyundai in Australia, even if only 200 are currently planned each month. Photo Gallery
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Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Hyundai Veloster at its Australian launch.
Veloster is one of the best names in the recent history of motoring. It's so emotive and fun, and so true of the people that Hyundai is trying to lure to its brand.
The Veloster also looks fantastic, fills a gap in showrooms that's been gaping and enticing since the death of the Honda Integra and Toyota Celica, and arrives in Australia with the promise of a go-faster turbo model later in the year.
And then there is - predictably for a Hyundai - the price, which starts at $23,990 and only gets to $29,990 with everything a Gen-Y buyer could possibly want or need. Even the Veloster Turbo is likely to limbo under the $35,000 barrier.
Unfortunately, the Veloster is not a great drive. It's not bad, and can be quite fun, but the at-the-wheel experience falls well short of the in-you-face look. And it is vastly better than any earlier Hyundai coupe, from the absolutely awful S Coupe in the 1990s through to the under-done and underwhelming Tiburon.
VALUE
It's impossible to argue against a funky new coupe from $23,990. That price includes everything from air-con and alloy wheels to six airbags and a thumping sound system with eight speakers including a door-doof whoofer. And there is a seven-inch LCD touch screen linked to all sorts of stuff including something called Blue Max that's a cross between a game and a driving monitor.
There are two models, Veloster and Veloster Plus, and the main differences are a giant glass sunroof, auto zircon and body-coloured strips in the alloy wheels. The Plus car starts at $27,990 and both models are available with Hyundai's first double-clutch gearbox for an extra $2000.
MECHANICAL
The Veloster is new, and that means everything from a platform shared with the new i30 that arrives in Australia this year to the DCT six-speed gearbox. There is also a six-speed manual and predictable front-wheel drive.
The engine is a baby 1.6-litre from the Gamma family, and with direct fuel injection it makes 103 kiloWatts and 166 Newton-metres with claimed economy of 6.4 litres/100km.
DESIGN
The Veloster looks great. The body shape is unique and crosses comfortably between a coupe and a hatch, although we're less certain about the lop-sided decision to put two doors on the passenger's side and leave only one for the driver.
Mini has done the same thing - stupidly having the double doors facing the traffic in Australia - but this time it looks like Hyundai is trying to be controversial for the sake of it. The back seat is reasonably roomy, at least compared with something like a Honda CR-Z, but there is still a pillar to block loading on the passenger's side and access is compromised on the driver's side.
Then again, perhaps Gen-Y will drop it in the 'whatever' basket and move on. The cabin is predictably Hyundai, from the overall look and blue instrument lighting to DCT shift paddles that feels as cheap and nasty as the ones in the i40 wagon.
DRIVING
The Veloster is good. Or, good enough at least and fine for the price. The chassis is quite tight, the steering has good feel and feedback, and the braking is solid and progressive. The car can be upset over bumps, when there is a bit of a pogo-stick feel from the rear end, and it also crashes a bit through big bumps. But it's no worse, and probably better, than a CR-Z.
Inside, the cabin is comfy and roomy, there is good space in the back seat and enough room in the tail despite the crimped-down looks. It's not a car to move house, but that's no drama. The three-door layout still feels a bit odd, but it does make access easier for rear-seat passengers.
The engine, too, is not as good as we would like, but the car rolls along nicely and there will be a turbo later. The six-speed manual has good ratios and a lovely meaty feel to the change, but the DCT has those cheapie paddles and struggles a little to find the right gear at the right time.
VERDICT
Best of all, the Veloster comes from $23,990 and gives you everything you want. It's going to be a winner for Hyundai in Australia, even if only 200 are currently planned each month.
HYUNDAI VELOSTER
Price: from $23,990
Engine: 1.6-litre four cylinder
Performance: 103 kw/166Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual and DCT, front-wheel drive.
RIVALS
Price: $34,990-$40,790
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine + electric motor, 91kW/167Nm (CVT), 174Nm (manual)
Transmission: Six-speed manual, CVT; front-wheel drive
Body: Three-door hatch
Thirst: 5.0 litres/100km, 118g/km CO2 (manual), 4.7 litres/100km, 111g/km CO2 (CVT)
Toyota 86- compare this car
Price: $35,000 (estimate only)
Engine: 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body: Two-door hatchback, four seats
Thirst: 8.0 l/100km, 7.7 l/100km (manual)
Renault Megane RS250- compare this car
Price: $46,990
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol 4-cylinder; 184kW/340Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual: FWD
Body: Two-door hatchback
Thirst: 10.7L/100km tested
