2019 Hyundai Veloster - N Stands for Next

by Tim Healey

Published: January 15th, 2018

It wasn’t a secret that Hyundai was set to launch its next Veloster in 2018. It also was fairly certain that there would be a turbo model available.

Yet Hyundai still managed to stuff a surprise up its sleeve – the high-performance N version will come to America.

Hyundai promises “up to” 275 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque from the 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged four-banger, and the sole transmission is a six-speed manual.

N models are visually distinguished from other Velosters by a large rear spoiler, unique front fascia and grille, and functional air ducts for cooling the front brakes.

The dual exhaust and rear fascia (with diffuser) are also different. The N has unique side-sill rockers and is available with 18- or 19-inch wheels.

Hyundai gives N owners five drive modes to choose from, and the N has a limited-slip differential.

In non-N news, the other two available engines are a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (147 horsepower/195 lb-ft of torque) and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. The standard four-pot mates to either a six-speed manual or automatic, while the turbo pairs with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Both models are available with three drive modes.

All Velosters, including N models, have torque-vectoring control. Of course, the Veloster remains a three-door.

The “regular” Veloster’s exterior design is toned down compared to the previous car, but it’s not too radical of a departure – the car is still instantly recognizable as a Veloster. The N’s exterior add-ons make it look better than the base car – the Veloster at least looks like a serious performance hatchback.

Judged based on specs and appearance alone, the new Veloster looks like it’s finally a serious entry in the sporty hatch category. The first-generation Veloster was supposed to be that car, but it ended up falling short.

Hyundai can now credibly claim it has a Veloster that may serve as an alternative to the GTI, thanks to the N model. However, it’s easy to make claims on paper.

If Hyundai gets the driving experience right, the car may finally fulfill its initial promise.

#2018NAIAS #Hyundai #HyundaiVeloster #NAIAS

Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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3 of 32 comments

TheEndlessEnigma on Jan 17, 2018

Interesting, Ford seems to be trimming down its hot-hatch offering, or out right existing ( I'm looking at you Fiesta ST and Focus ST/RS) while others are rolling out new hot-hatch offerings. Ford reshapes the market with the Fiesta & Focus hot-hatch offerings then leaves it to others to run away with it.

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TheEndlessEnigma on Jan 17, 2018

Interesting, Ford seems to be trimming down its hot-hatch offering, or out right exiting ( I'm looking at you Fiesta ST and Focus ST/RS) while others are rolling out new hot-hatch offerings. Ford reshapes the market with the Fiesta & Focus hot-hatch offerings then leaves it to others to run away with it.

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- NG5 on Jan 18, 2018
  
  I think your observation is pretty spot on. As a Fiesta ST buyer and owner in the US I am sad that Ford seems intent on only offering fun to drive vehicles over 3000 lbs in future. I would consider jumping to the next gen Fiesta ST at some point if it were offered here, but otherwise it is hard to imagine jumping to a similar kind of car when I am very happy. I might have considered an RS just for the AWD difference and that crazy blue paint. So far the only other hot hatch I feel any interest for in the U.S. could be this Hyundai Veloster N. Pending driving it, of course. (Disclaimer: I know the GTI is good but I didn't connect to driving in it, and it cost about 40% more than the Fiesta ST at the time.) If I did jump within Ford, I'd probably go for a V8 Mustang of some kind which are generally much more costly than hot hatches. Unfortunately the more exciting trims are often saddled with huge ADMs and weird dealer behavior. In the last few weeks, I have seen dealers still asking for $5,000 and $10,000 ADM over MSRP on base GT350s. Unfortunately it looks like I won't be likely to buy any new Ford US offerings for the forseeable future. The used market will be full of gently used Mustangs, I hope with some of the air taken out of the prices. I'm worried that Ford is going to go entirely into selling self driving trucks and let their stellar Ford Performance division wither on the vine. On the other hand, and to twist back more onto topic, I am glad Hyundai is making this Veloster N. And I kind of like the robin egg-ish paint!
  
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