Veloster Turbo cheaper than expected

HYUNDAI has announced pricing and details of the turbocharged version of its top-selling Veloster ahead of next week’s formal Australian launch – with a price that is much lower than expected, perhaps in response to Toyota’s sharp pricing for its hot new 86.

The Veloster SR Turbo is priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs with a standard six-speed gearbox, or $33,990 with a conventional (not dual-clutch like the non-turbo Veloster) six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters.

This represents a premium of $3000 over the non-turbo Veloster +, the price of which has been increased at the same time by $1000 to $28,990, while the entry-level Veloster remains unchanged at $23,990.

Veloster has been the top-selling sportscar in Australia every month since it was launched here in February – averaging 365 sales a month, almost twice as many as its nearest rival, although that will certainly change with the arrival of the 86.

Only five weeks ago Hyundai Australia marketing director Oliver Mann described Toyota’s headline-grabbing $29,990 entry price for the 86 as “a grand gesture” that would not influence its own pricing, but the Veloster Turbo arrives well below the company’s target price of $35,000.

The SR Turbo is powered by a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder engine that Hyundai calls the Gamma T-GDI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) that produces 150kW of power at 6000rpm and 265Nm of torque between 1750 and 4500rpm.

This is 46 per cent (47kW) more power and 60 per cent (99Nm) more torque than the non-turbo Veloster models.

Hyundai has yet to reveal the Turbo’s acceleration times, but with 3kW and some 60Nm more performance on tap than the 86, it should comfortably beat the Toyota’s time of 7.6 seconds to 100km/h.

To cope with the extra performance, the SR Turbo gets 20mm-larger ventilated front disc brakes over the non-turbo models, recalibrated suspension, a quicker steering rack (2.78 turns lock to lock) and revised calibration for the motor-driven power steering.

It is distinguished from less-powerful Velosters by a more aggressive grille, round front fog lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, side skirts, a rear diffuser, rear spoiler and twin circular exhaust outlets.

Standard equipment includes a panoramic glass sunroof, sports seats upholstered in a mix of leather and leatherette, and a satellite navigation system integrated into the seven-inch touchscreen LCD display and including SUNA live traffic, lane guidance, junction views, speed limits, speed warnings, camera alerts and a three-year map plan.

It will be available in six colours, including an exclusive Marmalade (“a chameleon colour that changes depending on the visual angle”), Young Gun (a matte finish) and pearl-effect Phantom Black, Veloster Red, Battleship and Storm Trooper White.

Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo pricing (plus on-roads):
1.6 T-GDI	$31,990
1.6 T-GDI (a)	$33,990