In its latest Veloster Turbo, Hyundai presents a car that is just as much style and comfort as it is speed. Released in the Middle East in March of this year, the new model looks and drives like a sports car. Yet, you would hardly notice it when driving around in this delightful hybrid of luxury and power.
“It is with great delight that we welcome the new Veloster Turbo to our Kuwait portfolio,” said Raed Turjuman, CEO of Northern Gulf Trading. “It brings new levels of sportiness to our fleet and represents the latest vehicle to feature our ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language and is set to make waves across the region.”
Our bazaar team got to test drive Hyundai’s latest addition to the fleet, and we weren’t disappointed. The 2016 version of the Veloster looks sleeker than its predecessor. The new base model got a new hood design with a revised front dark gray grille surround. The Turbo is equipped with exclusive 18-inch lightweight alloy rims and a tire that is 10 mm wider, for the speedy turner in you.
The Veloster may look like a two-door hatchback, but looks can be deceiving. We were pleasantly surprised to find a third door behind the passenger seat, making the backseat easily accessible for passengers. No more flipping over the seat to get in! Plus, the door’s window rolls down for some fresh backseat air.
Once we were seated in the car two things jumped out at us immediately. The Veloster was unexpectedly roomy and comfortable. Both the driver and front passenger felt hugged by the new sportier front seats, and there was ample legroom in the back seat.
We were also amazed by the incredible infotainment system that is normally only seen in high priced sedans. The seven-inch touchscreen includes an Apple Siri integration, HD Radio capability, onboard music and app storage, and a navigation map with enhanced junction-view lane guidance. It also includes a rear-view camera so you can easily get out of a tight parking spot.
Once you are on the road, the engine takes control and the driving experience takes over. With a maximum of 204 horsepower from a 1.6 turbo engine, this small roadster is as speedy as it is classy. The new EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission gives drivers added control and has been tuned for better performance.
Yet, even with all this incredible power, the Veloster Turbo still has an incredibly smooth ride with some amazing upgrades to the 2016 edition. They’ve retuned the suspension to include sportier springs, dampers and stabilizer bars. The modified front suspension features gas-filled hydraulic monotube shock absorbers so neither you nor your passengers feel what can sometimes be a bumpy ride on Kuwait’s roads.
Steering has also been given an upgrade in the new Veloster, with Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS), which has been tuned for increased response. To make the roadster even more stable this model features a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). This system detects when a driver accelerates or brakes on difficult terrain, and the car wants to pull in a direction. It then sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering to counter the force.
This is just one of many safety features included in the Veloster. The Torque Vectoring Control (TVC) system enhances stability and safety. It features six airbags, and an Electronic Brake-force to automatically adjust the braking force to the front and rear axels based on the load in the vehicle. Brakes are state of the art with four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). The ABS also includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum force when a panic stop is detected.
For the bazaar team, our weekend with Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo gave us a new appreciation for Kuwait’s roads. From comfortable seats to an extremely smooth ride, the Veloster Turbo is definitely 2016’s affordable sports car.
Hyundai has two showroom locations: Industrial Shuwaikh, Building 41, Jahra, Road 80, and East Ahmadi, Block 9, Building 19. For more information please phone 180 8444. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Twitter, @HyundaiKuwait.
