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Hyundai Veloster
The first impression

What is the point of being different? To stand out from the crowd? To march to the beat of your own drum? For some it’s a burning desire to be unique, to break from convention and conformity. For others it’s for the sake of it and creating ‘shock-value’, as part of some rebellious act to get noticed.

Porsche 911 is an example of bucking the trend. Two decades out of and recovering from the Second World War, Ferdinand Porsche thought it a good idea to create a rear engine sports car. Crazy? Perhaps, but who’s laughing now? 1963 saw the launch of the Porsche Carrera 911, which was totally unique. It looked like nothing else on the road: Less was more and is still the recipe today.   

One hit wonders are usually the design and brain child of something unique but not sustainable. It’s hard to tell initially what will stay and what wont. Miley Cyrus as an example: Gone is her squeaky clean Hanna Montana image, and replaced with a bad girl gone wild persona. Twerking is her latest past time along with riding wrecking balls naked. Either way, it’s got people talking. Will she last or will she be history like yesterday’s Facebook post?

 

This brings me to the topic of the Hyundai Veloster, the world's first coupe' three-door hot hatch, boot door excluded. This car is stunning at first glance.  It redefines bold and is similar to nothing else. Sure it has nuances of this and that but essentially it's unique. It looks like its curves were inspired by soft serve ice-cream, it is delicious, and Hyundai’s best looking car. The interior is just as striking but not as unique. Having recently reviewed two Fords, the Focus ST3 and Kuga, the dash architecture looks very similar in design style, so the impression left me with a sense of déjà vu.

 

 

The Veloster features a 1.6-Litre engine, on paper pushing out impressive figure for its size (103kW). The gearbox is precise and a pleasure to operate. Breaking is positive and instils confidence in its driver. Steering offers good feedback but takes getting used too. Sporting cars of this nature usually have a firmer steering rotation. Do you recall the BMW ad from the early 90’s, the one where a mouse runs along the top of the steering wheel? Hard to believe in reality, but in the Veloster could almost be possible. Excuse my playful sarcasm. (See attached YouTube video below)

Handling is great fun, with the nose of the car sliding out ever so slightly (called under steer) when pushed to its limits. The chassis is so at ease with the power from the engine it begs for more. The beautiful 18” mags do a great job of putting the fat ‘tekkies’ to the tarmac, making the Veloster a true ‘ride on rails racer’.

On the downside the engine feels underpowered, so calling it a true ‘hot hatch’ would be a lie. Due to the lack of low down grunt, one is required to change down often and sometimes more than one gear to put a spark up its pretty derrière. It also means that you end up working the engine more than you’d like.

 

The facts

Highlights

  • Good looks, ultimately very unique
  • Good level of standard equipment
  • Sharp handling
  • Seats four medium sized adults quite well
  • Nice size boot

Low Lights

  • Underpowered engine
  • Some of the interior plastics look cheap

 

The figures

 

The extra stuff

The Veloster comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km service plan as standard. Not to forget it scored five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test.

The verdict

So why was I rambling on about being different? I beg the question with the Veloster. Is this car unique, and will it stand the test of time? Or were Hyundai doing a Miley on us and just being wild for the sake of it?

Either way they have produced a great looking car which just needs a turbo thrown in to add some hot to its hatch title. Good news people, they are doing just that! Soon I am told.

It competes against the VW Scirocco 1.4TSI Highline. The Scirocco too is unique and aimed at those who like something different from your same-old-same-old hatch. The VW is better build and has a sprightlier engine. But you pay for that, it’s R60 000 dearer.

 

If status is your thing, the BMW 1-Series 116i 3-door is a consideration. You get German engineering, quality build and a fun rear wheel driven coupe'. Its engine has 100kW, which is just under the Veloster. It too is no pocket rocket. Price wise it is only R16 000 more but comes with far less equipment as standard.

 

Or you could try the MINI Paceman. It’s a designer SAC (Sport Activity Coupe) so you are sure to go down well in the trendy group. The 1.6 is just over the R300 000 mark and comes with 90kW. It’s fair to say this one is for the fashion forward customer. 

 

SA Link to the Veloster site

 

 

 

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