Hyundai’s fledgling N high-performance division has turned out an impressive collection of nth-degree engineering for its first product, the 2019 Veloster N.
The performance tuning has reworked what was a sporty-ish Veloster, which always needed another 50 horsepower, into a nice and nasty tuner’s car.
The 250-hp Veloster N has the performance to match its fistful-of-fun styling. Compare it to such bear cub muscle cars as the Honda Civic Si or Type R, the VW Golf GTI or Golf R and the now-departed Ford Focus ST or Focus RS.
Pricing
The standard Veloster, a three-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback, is sold with a choice of two four-cylinder engines (one turbocharged) and manual or automatic transmissions. Pricing ranges from about $19,400 to $29,000.
The Veloster N trumps those with a turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual transmission, with rev-matching downshifts. Its starting price is $27,820, including the $920 freight charge from Ulsan, Korea. But be advised, there have been instances of cars being sold for a above the sticker price.
Add the one factory performance-package option, $2,100, to get 275 hp and the so-called N Corner Carving Differential (electronic limited slip) and variable exhaust-valve system. It also adds 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/35 Pirelli P Zero summer tires (“HN” branded) and bigger N brakes with vented 13.6-inch front rotors and 12.4-inch rear rotors.
The tester in Performance Blue (similar to Ford’s Gulf Livery GT40s) with the performance package was $29,920.
Standard equipment includes smartkey locking and push-button ignition, six-way adjustable driver seat, rearview camera with guidelines, projector LED low-beam headlights and LED taillights, three USBs, 8-inch display audio and eight-speaker Infinity audio.
Not that it matters for this car, but a navigation system is not available, nor is a sunroof, power or heated seats or leather. Paint colors are white, red, black or Performance Blue, which includes powder-blue seat belts.
For the money, Hyundai has built a sports car that sits right, looks complete and is fortified by German engineering that was field tested at headquarters in Namyang, Korea, and on the German Nurburgring. This year the Veloster N is competing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge touring-car series.
Its racer content is more than a large-bore exhaust and a strapped down suspension with an angry skirt of aerodynamic add-ons for a wide body look. The big wing atop the liftgate is actually a two-stage spoiler, and it doesn’t get in the way of rear views.
Hardened hardware
All of the hardware that is prone to breaking under performance pressure has been hardened and reinforced. The transmission gets an carbon synchro rings for smoother shifting. The clutch disc has double layer facing for “increased burst strength.”
Its many levels of electronic driving aids are for personalization, Hyundai says. The “N Grin control system” has modes of normal, Sport, N and Custom. The system adjusts throttle response steering weight, stability controls (from none to sport and normal). There are three levels of exhaust crackle and three settings of suspension firmness. The limited-slip differential can be set for normal and sport.
Or just hit the flag button on the steering wheel for full-on N Sport of
everything.
It is a nice and easy daily driver in standard performance mode. But switch the drive mode to Sport and the pipes open, the suspension stiffens and the engine shows its nasty side.
The six-speed slots easily, but it does not have the steely engagement expected of a high-strung sports car. The clutch is light, even when moving in 3-foot pulls in commuting traffic. But when the road opens, the Veloster N shows its hoonie side when it revs and wows like a fast-tracker.
The electronic rev-matching downshifts are well calibrated and while I’m more of a heel-toe driver, I grew to like the no-brainer electronic downshifts. And how aurally fun it is to wind out this engine then lift off to the pop and crackle of back pressure and then roll on the power till redline.
With 260 foot-pounds of torque from 1,450-4,700 rpm in either engine configuration, the fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg city, 28 highway and 25 mpg combined. Most of my rev-happy time returned an mpg average close to 20.
The “sound-generated” exhaust tone isn’t obnoxious and flows freely up and down the rev range, while some systems seem to kick on and off artificially with throttle angle. When the pipes open, this one gets deep and raspy, sounding, but it does not drown out the cabin.
The front seat area feels quite roomy, with headroom of 38.1 inches. The fabric bucket seats are grippy and without overly restrictive bolsters. Hip room is wide with good thigh . Sightlines are wide open out the front and at the side mirrors, but views are a mere suggestion over the shoulder and out the small back window.
With a wide turning circle of 38 feet, parking can be a three-point turn in, but departures are expedited by the wide view of the rearview camera with guidance lines. But the wide stance is good for stability at speed and dicing it up through corners; it just feels good with the minimal steering inputs required.
The back seat is better for cargo than for engers, who must slip through the right-hand door. The pair of seats are short on legroom, 34.1 inches max, but they are wide and footroom is helped by the flat floor.
Cargo capacity is large and deep at 19.9 cubic feet.
Hot-hatch bargain
Loaded up and still less than $30K, the Veloster N is a hot-hatch bargain.
The 205-hp, Honda Civic Si sedan or coupe with six-speed manual starts at $25,200 and the 306-hp Civic Type R sedan starts $36,620, also with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and six-speed manual.
The VW Golf GTI five-door hatchback, with a 228-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, starts at $28,490 and the 288-hp Golf R, with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter and six-speed manual, starts at $41,290, including electronic chassis control and navigation system. But either Golf can be optioned with a seven-speed direct-shift automatic transmission.
My week in the Veloster N was the most fun I’ve had grabbing a rascal by the ruff since the Fiat 500 Abarth or Mazdaspeed3.
Motorsports and a performance division were just the evolution of the brand, Hyundai says. And to get there, Hyundai opened its checkbook to lure away Albert Biermann from his position as chief engineer for BMW’s M performance cars. His task now is to create “brand shapers.” How fun for him.
Whatever comes next will be eNtertaining.
2019 Hyundai Veloster N
- Body style: subcompact, front-wheel drive sport 3-door
- Engine: 275-hp, turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; 260 lb.-ft. torque from 1,450-4,700 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual, w/rev-matching downshifts and normal, sport, N and custom modes
- Fuel economy: 22/28/25 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane
SPECIFICATIONS
- Fuel tank: 13.2 gal.
- Cargo space: 19.9 cu. ft.
- Front head/leg room: 38.1/42.6 in.
- Rear head/leg room: 35.9/34.1 in.
- Length/wheelbase: 167.9/104.3 in.
- Curb weight: 3,117 lbs.
- Turning circle: 38 ft.
FEATURES
- Standard equipment includes: smartkey locking and push-button ignition, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, rearview camera with guidelines, projector LED low-beam headlights and LED taillights, 4.2-inch color instrument cluster, automatic headlight control, 3 USBs, 8-inch display audio, 60/40 split folding back seat, Bluetooth phone and audio, 8-speaker Infinity audio
- N content: N sport steering wheel-shift knob-instrument cluster, cloth sport seats with blue stitching, N-logo floor mats, alloy pedals, sequential shift light, 2-stage rear spoiler, N specific front and rear fascias and side air dam, additional underbody reinforcement, large-bore exhaust outlets, N Grin control system (sport, normal, N, Custom), N tuned electronic stability control, N Power Sense axle, Brembo vented brake discs (13.6-inch rotors front, 12.4 inches rear), electronic controlled suspension
- Safety features include: 6 air bags, brake assist, brake-force distribution, torque vectoring control
PRICING
- Base price: $27,820, including $920 freight charge; price as tested $29,920
- Options on test vehicle: Performance package, $1,200, includes 275-hp, 19-inch alloy wheels and Pirelli P Zero 235/35 tires, N Corner Carving Differential (limited slip with electronic control), variable exhaust valve system, ventilated Brembo brake discs (13.6-inch front, 12.4-inch rear)
- Where assembled: Ulsan, Korea
- Warranty: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain
