Hyundai's asymmetric Veloster delivers the company's first dual clutch transmission -- and a harder-edged turbo model is on the car games ds
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Hyundai
The Hyundai Veloster sports coupe, to be launched in Q4 this year, will provide the launching pad for the company's first dual-clutch transmission.
To be offered as an option alongside a standard six-speed manual, the six-speed DCT will provide an extra sporting edge for the Veloster's all-new 1.6-litre direct injection petrol four. Both the engine and the transmission were developed in-house by Hyundai. Power and torque figures for the 1.6 are 103kW @ 6300rpm and 167Nm @ 4850rpm respectively.
The distinctive, hybrid-bodied coupe-hatch comes at the end of a raft of new product launches in the latter half of this year, all of which will see the company's 'fluidic sculpture' design language extended throughout its lineup from top to bottom.
With the launch so far away, Hyundai's local execs have yet to finalise pricing and specification. But they stressed at a recent preview in Sydney that the distinctive, low-slung Veloster will be pitched as a brand builder among younger buyers, so expect the price to be competitive.
They also hinted -- broadly -- at the likelihood of a turbocharged, harder-edged version following the conventionally aspirated model.
Local specifications are likely to live up to Hyundai's keen sense of competition. If the US variant is anything to go by, there's plenty of scope to break new ground for its sector. No better evidence of the youth-skew than this, lifted from the Veloster's US microsite...
"Entirely new, the Veloster has been designed to keep you connected 24/7. Built-in features let you share your location with friends, use hands-free texting, and even upload your favourite music and play videos through a USB port. The double-scooped aggressive front end, LED headlight accents, and a trick 3rd side passenger door give this new vehicle a completely modern style, while delivering up to [5.9L/100km -- highway cycle], giving you hybrid mileage without the hybrid premium."
And this...
"Hop in and your smart phone automatically syncs with the Bluetooth® so you can immediately start streaming music, download your phonebook and, of course, take calls. The 7-inch touchscreen is the media nerve centre of the car. Use it to check out uploaded pictures, play videos and music, and even use the available integrated navigation system to map out your next destination.
"For music, you've got nothing but options. Select playlists from your phone... or use the iPod®/USB inputs. Gracenote® music ID management displays album art, and has voice recognition that allows you to choose your music by artist, album or genre."
The system extends to internet radio streaming, music downloading, video playback from USB and -- as long as there's a standard power plug nearby -- X-Box connectivity.
The street Veloster remains truish to the concept from which it took its name, the high-backed coupe-hatch that first broke cover in 2007 at the Seoul motor show. While it has seen extensive modification, it retains the concept car's asymmetrical three-door configuration. The single rear door will be on the respective passenger side in both LHD and RHD countries. In other words, and unlike the MINI Clubman, the rear door is on the left in RHD countries, on the right in LHD countries.
On the driver's side is a longer, coupe-like single door ahead of a flank similar to Renault's Megane RS250. But there the similarity ends. The Veloster's heavily glassed hatch, hinged above the rear seat cushion, embodies what amounts to a rear sunroof, separated a small lip spoiler from the sharply tapered rear windscreen. That high rear end and massive C-pillar mean rear visibility is not a high point, but the US spec suggests a rear-view camera will turn up at least as an option.
Hyundai will talk local pricing for the new model closer to its Australian launch near the end of the year.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét