Hyundai releases new Veloster pricing

HYUNDAI Motor Company Australia (HMCA) has released pricing and specification details for its second-generation Veloster ‘three-door coupe’, which goes on sale this month.

Three grades are on offer, with the unnamed entry-level offering priced from $29,490 plus on-road costs with a six-speed manual and $31,790 with a six-speed torque-converter automatic. These prices are $100 and $300 lower than the equivalent previous-generation grade respectively.

The range-opener is motivated by a 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine running on the Atkinson cycle. Its predecessor used a 103kW/167Nm 1.6-litre unit.

The Turbo grade has also returned but now as a mid-range offering that is significantly dearer, with the six-speed manual costing $35,490 (+$4840) and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (with paddle-shifters) priced at $38,900 (+$5840). Buyers are, however, compensated with a longer list of standard equipment.

This grade features the same 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine as before, but an overboost function can now increase maximum torque to 275Nm. All Veloster grades exclusively send drive to their front wheels.

A new flagship grade has been introduced alongside the second-generation model, with the aptly named Turbo Premium using the same engine and transmissions as the mid-range Turbo but commanding a $3000 premium.

Standard equipment in the price-leading grade includes quick-ratio electric power steering, independent multi-link rear suspension, torque vectoring, up to four drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart), 18-inch alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, dusk-sensing headlights, LED daytime running lights and heated side mirrors.

Inside, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a six-speaker sound system, a 3.5-inch multi-function display, climate control, a sports steering wheel, sports seats and cloth upholstery feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to camera-based autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, cruise control, a manual speed limiter, driver attention warning, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Turbo adds a sports body kit (grille, side skirts and rear diffuser and spoiler), gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, LED headlights and tail-lights, power-folding side mirrors, keyless entry and start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, an eight-speaker Infinity sound system, a 4.2-inch multi-function display, digital performance gauges (torque G-forces and turbo boost), metal pedals, cloth/leather upholstery, a luggage net, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and high-beam assist.

The Turbo Premium goes a step further with dark-metallic 18-inch alloy wheels, a ‘full-width’ sunroof, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather upholstery.

This grade also comes with the $1000 option of two-tone paintwork, which colours the roof Phantom Black. Metallic and mica hues for all grades cost an extra $595.

When fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the Turbo and Turbo Premium also add a radar that brings with it adaptive cruise control and extended AEB performance, including pedestrian detection.

“The all-new, second-generation Veloster builds on the unique character and quirky three-door styling of the original, but now with more attitude and driver appeal,” said HMCA chief executive officer JW Lee.

“Powertrain and chassis upgrades, combined with standard advanced safety technology and driver-focused performance features, create a uniquely compelling package.”

In the lead up to the new model’s release, Veloster sales ground to a halt this year, but 20 fresh examples were sold in August ahead of its official on-sale date this month.

2019 Hyundai Veloster pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs