2016 Hyundai Veloster Road Test Review

By Bob Plunkett

Hyundai Veloster Turbo sporty coupe
spawns new Rally Edition

The aero-slick Veloster asymmetrical 3-door hatchback coupe from Hyundai of South Korea debuted in 2012 with a tepid naturally aspirated 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that lacked the velocity of its namesake.

In 2013 Hyundai added the Veloster Turbo packing a turbocharged 4-cylinder plant that covered the velocity angle quite nicely with the stampeding strength of 201 horses.

The Turbo also gained a load of functional equipment over the naturally aspirated Veloster, such as a massive hexagonal grille and distinctive front and rear bumpers, an aggressive body kit, spoiler on the tail, plus bigger disc brakes and larger wheels and tires.

Then in 2014 Hyundai raised the sport bar on Veloster again with the roll-out of Veloster Turbo R-Spec edition that scored special suspension and steering tweaks for tighter car control plus a 6-speed close-ratio transmission tied to the B&M Racing short-throw sport shifter.

Now for 2016 Hyundai plants Veloster deeper in the sporty mold with the introduction of the Veloster Turbo Rally Edition that builds upon Veloster Turbo R-Spec credentials with a performance-centered suspension, RAYS lightweight wheels with broad 225/40R18 tires and ersatz carbon-fiber aero trimmings.

Consider the Veloster Turbo Rally Edition a rare bird with production limited to 1200 units and each coated in a vibrant Matte Blue paint job.

All Veloster models for 2016 -- Veloster, Veloster Turbo, R-Spec and Rally Edition -- gain equipment including a revamped hood design, a grille ring tinted to dark gray, tires measuring 10-mm wider when mounted on 18-inch wheels, plus next-generation audio and navigation kit upgrades for HD Radio, Apple Siri and Blue Link.

To create this vehicle, Hyundai's designers began with a modified version of the front-wheel-drive unibody platform used for Elantra, Hyundai's compact-class 4-door sedan.

The wheelbase length stretches to 104.3 inches long while the width of the body extends to 71.1 inches and the distance from the prow up front to the back bumper tallies to 167.3 inches -- almost 14 feet. These spatial dimensions serve to crimp front and rear overhangs of the body and push the four wheels outward toward edges of the package, which sets up a long and broad and stable platform.

For suspension Veloster models stock independent MacPherson struts in front with gas-charged hydraulic twin-tube shocks and stabilizer bar, and in the rear a torsion axle with coil springs and hydraulic monotube shock absorbers plus v-beam stabilizer bar.

For crisp steering traits the rack and pinion device comes with speed-sensitive motor driven power steering (MDPS) assistance.

For active safety, every issue also posts a disc brake at each wheel (ventilated in front, solid in back), with electronic linkage to a 4-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Veloster Turbo also carries a vehicle stability management (VSM) device to manage the electronic stability control (ESC) system and MDPS steering.
           
Torque Vectoring Control (TVC) is now optional on all 2016 Veloster Turbo models. This active cornering feature enables the car to improve dynamic cornering during performance driving situations.

For motivation, the entry-issue Veloster carries Hyundai's dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) 4-cylinder Gamma engine which displaces 1.6 liters and has gasoline direct injection (GDI) plus Hyundai's dual continuously variable valve timing (DCVVT) equipment. The plant generates 138 hp at 6300 rpm and torque of 123 lb-ft at 4850 rpm with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, or 132 hp at 6300 rpm plus 120 lb-ft of torque at 4850 rpm with the optional Hyundai 6-speed automatic EcoShift dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Veloster Turbo models stock Hyundai's DOHC 1.6-liter 4-in-line Gamma engine with turbocharged-gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) and DCVVT. The turbo plant produces 201 hp at 6000 rpm and torque of 195 lb-ft at only 1750 rpm.

Turbo shifter choices are a 6-speed manual transmission or the new 7-speed electronic automatic DCT with Shiftronic mode and shifter paddles for manual gear control.

Estimated MSRP figures for Hyundai's 2016 Veloster models extend from $19,000 to $25,000.