Hyundai has borrowed the one rear door idea from the defunct Saturn Ion, Mini Clubman et al with a new twist – its new Veloster three-door coupe launched in Detroit yesterday has a front, rather than rear hinged additional side door on the right for easy rear seat access.
And has answered our earlier question: will there will be another safety aspects row like that which greeted the Mini Clubman, whose right-side door (opening into traffic in RHD markets like the UK and Australia) was even threatened with a down under ban by a local politician, or will Hyundai build RHD versions with a rear door on the ‘right’ (left) side instead?
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Hyundai Motor Europe senior vice president and COO Allan Rushforth confirmed to just-auto the Veloster will have the rear door on the left-hand side for RHD markets.
He said: “The Veloster’s door configuration will be adapted for RHD markets, ensuring that customers will benefit not only from the great practicality of the rear door but also from the high levels of occupant safety for which Hyundai is known.”
US models will feature Hyundai’s new Blue Link telematics, Pandora internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-litre direct-injected I4 engine mated to Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission.
Hyundai is claiming better highway fuel efficiency than Honda’s CR-Z Hybrid. The Veloster is the sixth vehicle in its 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in 24 months), and follows the new Tucson, Sonata, Equus, Elantra and the soon-to-be released redesigned Accent.
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By GlobalDataHyundai said the car was inspired by a high-performance sport bike with distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance.
Inside, the centre stack and controls are said resemble a sport bike fuel tank (like Nissan’s Juke) and incorporate an optional pushbutton starter. The air vents are inspired by motorcycle tailpipes, while the floor console mirrors the seat of a bike. Metallic accents abound throughout the interior while alloy pedals and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are also available.
On the door, Hyundai said: “Some previous coupes have used smaller rear-hinged access doors. These coupes have always been compromised by having to open the driver side door before the rear door could be opened, proving to be inconvenient for both the driver and passenger, and extremely difficult to operate in tight parking lot situations. [Our] fresh take here implements a conventionally hinged door on the [LHD market] passenger side of the Veloster, providing safe and ready access to the surprisingly spacious rear seats. The passenger-side rear door handle is hidden to maintain the coupe design.
The new Gamma 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine is the smallest Hyundai engine to use petrol direct injection for estimated highway fuel economy of up to 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability. Output is 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 123lb ft. at 4,850 rpm. The engine also has dual continuously variable valve timing, electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings.
Hyundai developed its own six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and claims a 5-6% improvement in fuel efficiency as well as a 3-7% improvement in acceleration over a conventional auto.
US competitors include Honda’s CR-Z, the Mini hatchback and Clubman plus the Scion tC.
Hyundai claims best in class interior volume for the compact sporty car segment saying the 105.3cu ft beats those rivals.
At 2,584 pounds, the Veloster is over 400 pounds lighter than the Scion tC.
The car has McPherson strut front suspension, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and a 24 mm diameter front stabiliser. The rear suspension is a light-weight V-torsion beam, a first for Hyundai, with an integrated 23mm stabiliser bar to allow bracing of the arms for greater stiffness and to further control body roll. The rear suspension also uses monotube shock absorbers for ride comfort.
Electric power steering adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy.
A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, address book download and audio streaming is standard while touch-screen navigation is optional. The system also integrates a rear-view camera.
