Remember the time when each of us was given a chance to design the car of our dreams? A quick glance at the drawings around you revealed that most of us were never meant to be car designers - our 'automotive solutions' came in all shapes, sizes and proportions, and we thought we were putting creativity at its best. It is not surprising that the weird combinations (rectangular bodies with wheels on stilts, isosceles headlamps, triangular windows; to name a few) will not be seen on the roads.
Well if you were to draw up something asymmetrical; two doors on one side, one on the other, for instance, the art teacher would have out rightly labelled that as nonsense too.
That, till we saw what Hyundai did with its latest sports coupe.
Exterior
The asymmetrical design is one of the best features on the Veloster. You can't doubt its ingenuity - single door on the driver's side allows you to recognise the sporting intent of this coupe; and an additional on the left to allow ease of entry for rear passengers.
The turbo variant takes on a couple of make-ups, most notable being the larger-than-life front grille which gives the facet a more aggressive stance.
Well if you were to draw up something asymmetrical; two doors on one side, one on the other, for instance, the art teacher would have out rightly labelled that as nonsense too.
That, till we saw what Hyundai did with its latest sports coupe.
Exterior
The asymmetrical design is one of the best features on the Veloster. You can't doubt its ingenuity - single door on the driver's side allows you to recognise the sporting intent of this coupe; and an additional on the left to allow ease of entry for rear passengers.
The turbo variant takes on a couple of make-ups, most notable being the larger-than-life front grille which gives the facet a more aggressive stance.
At the rear, a reworked under-body diffuser sports a twin centre exhaust with round tips, adding a commensurate amount of sporting feel. The same though, could not be said of the flanking fog lamps which looks a tad awkward and clumsy. We reckon the sublime-looking reflectors on the standard version would have a better fit here.
Interior
Entering the Veloster is relatively easy - despite its sporty stance the coupe does not sit uncomfortably low. Driver's door opens to unveil a modernistic interior with a clever mix of contrasting textures that give rise to a more upmarket feel. The fresh and current interior is also one of the notable improvements in which the Korean carmaker has managed to garner.
Aesthetically the Veloster turbo is also subtle, doing without the usual shout-outs of a spruced up variant such as special emblems on the steering wheel or on the consoles. Instead, only a pair of 'turbo' tags on the seats is sported.
Entering the Veloster is relatively easy - despite its sporty stance the coupe does not sit uncomfortably low. Driver's door opens to unveil a modernistic interior with a clever mix of contrasting textures that give rise to a more upmarket feel. The fresh and current interior is also one of the notable improvements in which the Korean carmaker has managed to garner.
Aesthetically the Veloster turbo is also subtle, doing without the usual shout-outs of a spruced up variant such as special emblems on the steering wheel or on the consoles. Instead, only a pair of 'turbo' tags on the seats is sported.
While the interior boasts commendable quality, the lack of such differentiations dulls the sense of occasion which was vividly expressed on the exterior.
On the other hand, the strengths of the standard variant are carried forward to the Turbo, which means that occupants can stay happy about good all-round allowances. The rear quarters, especially, packs enough room for two full-size adults, though restricting a third on the bench with the aisle-mounted cup holders.
Entrance to the rear, too, is fuss-free, thanks to the extra door on the left flank, although this means that the right passenger will have to move in and out through the width of the car.
On the other hand, the strengths of the standard variant are carried forward to the Turbo, which means that occupants can stay happy about good all-round allowances. The rear quarters, especially, packs enough room for two full-size adults, though restricting a third on the bench with the aisle-mounted cup holders.
Entrance to the rear, too, is fuss-free, thanks to the extra door on the left flank, although this means that the right passenger will have to move in and out through the width of the car.
The Drive
The 1.6-litre on the Veloster has been force-induced to churn out a more spirited 186bhp and 265Nm of torque - 46bhp and nearly 100Nm more than the standard variant. This adds a healthy dose of straight-line performance to the sports coupe, shortening the century sprint timing to a sprightly 8.1 seconds on paper.
In reality, the additional power does come with some hesitance, with the turbo-lags most noticeable in overtaking manoeuvres. This gives the idea that the added power does not fully transform the Veloster into a hot hatch. The fact that the over-assisted steering lacks the much-needed intuitiveness especially when put through corners does not help in this aspect too.
In other aspects, the coupe is as good as it gets. The exhaust, for instance, churns out a sporty note when stretched. The car is also delightfully comfortable on the go, proving to be more than capable in handling the torments of imperfect tarmac surfaces.
The 1.6-litre on the Veloster has been force-induced to churn out a more spirited 186bhp and 265Nm of torque - 46bhp and nearly 100Nm more than the standard variant. This adds a healthy dose of straight-line performance to the sports coupe, shortening the century sprint timing to a sprightly 8.1 seconds on paper.
In reality, the additional power does come with some hesitance, with the turbo-lags most noticeable in overtaking manoeuvres. This gives the idea that the added power does not fully transform the Veloster into a hot hatch. The fact that the over-assisted steering lacks the much-needed intuitiveness especially when put through corners does not help in this aspect too.
In other aspects, the coupe is as good as it gets. The exhaust, for instance, churns out a sporty note when stretched. The car is also delightfully comfortable on the go, proving to be more than capable in handling the torments of imperfect tarmac surfaces.
Potting around town, the unique preposition and novelty of the Veloster translates into an uplifting experience for both the driver and passengers. Indeed the coupe is further proof that the 'H' marque has moved further upstream, ditching its low-cost image that it set off with.
Conclusion
Hyundai has seemingly heard the cries for greater power in creating the latest Veloster variant. The Turbo may have closed up the power difference with the segment contenders; but there is no doubt that power figures alone are not enough to put the Veloster amongst cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco.
Perhaps the Veloster Turbo's good looks will help win over the hearts of some.
Conclusion
Hyundai has seemingly heard the cries for greater power in creating the latest Veloster variant. The Turbo may have closed up the power difference with the segment contenders; but there is no doubt that power figures alone are not enough to put the Veloster amongst cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco.
Perhaps the Veloster Turbo's good looks will help win over the hearts of some.
