Thursday, March 10, 2011

Hyundai Veloster

2012 Hyundai Veloster
The question Korean car enthusiasts ask when they encounter Hyundai's Premium Unique Vehicle, the Veloster, is this: is the Veloster a sports car or a 2-box hatchback?

It isn't a sports car and it isn't a 2-box hatchback. The Hyundai Veloster is a Premium Unique Vehicle created under the "New Thinking, New Possibilities" strategy. Although the Hyundai Veloster was based on the 2007 concept car at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show, the number of doors is the trickiest part of this hot hatch. On the right side view, he/she thinks that the Veloster is a 5-door but on the left side view, it has a 100% chance of thinking that it was a 3-door hatch. The honest fact is the Veloster has four doors; two at the right, one at the left, and one at the rear. An orthodox possibility happened in the first time in world car history.

2012 Hyundai Veloster interior

The interior of the Veloster is somewhat similar to the Hyundai 5G Grandeur and that is because of the Fluidic Sculpture philosophy. One main eccentric part is the engine start-stop switch was placed in the middle and not on the driver side. What an eccentric invention for the best South Korean car maker.

The main engine that powers the eccentric Veloster is the Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.6-litre engine. This engine creates a power output of 140hp/6300rpm and the torque output of 17kg-m/4850rpm. The 6-speed AT variant of the Veloster accumulates the fuel economy of 15.3km/L while the enthusiasts' favorite 6-speed MT variant offers a fuel economy of 16.3km/L. Aside from that, there are lots of conveniences offered on the Veloster such as Side and Curtain Airbags, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, DMB Navigation System, Vehicle Stability Management, Active Eco Assist, USB and iPod connectivity, and Climate Control.

The Veloster comes in 9 authentic exterior colors;
1) Blue Ocean
2) Sun Flower
3) Green Apple
4) White Crystal
5) Sonic Silver
6) Veloster Red
7) Vitamin C
8) Phantom Black
9) Sleek Silver

My thoughts about the Veloster:
The Hyundai Veloster is the most eccentric hatchback I have ever seen in world car history because of its odd number of doors; two in the right side, one in the left, and one in the back. If they offered this in RHD countries, the doors may also be inverted, making it two in the left and one on the right. This odd combo is part of its "Premium Unique Vehicle" status and it targets young drivers who are looking for fun. What an odd-clustered combination of sexy, smart, and coolness.

In South Korea, Hyundai limits the production and sales up to 18,000 Veloster models to keep its premium value. Sales of this eccentric model start tomorrow and soon in other countries, including the United States. I'm afraid that HARI could not bring the Veloster to the Philippines soon because of our country's dirty fuel that can't stand up to the Veloster's GDi engine.

Still, the Veloster is much more of a threat to the Renault Megane Coupe, Honda CR-Z, Citroen DS4, or even the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Who's up for some party at the Veloster?

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