2018 Hyundai Veloster N: Technical Overview

The affordable sports car space is about the get tighter with the Hyundai Veloster N making a surprise debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this week.

Making entry to a predominantly rear-wheel drive segment, the Veloster N takes on established rivals like the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ and Mazda MX-5.

Bringing front-wheel drive performance to the table, the Veloster N emphasises the driver’s heartbeats per minute (BPM), rather than revs per minute (RPM). Hyundai says the top priority when designing the Veloster N was a fun-to-drive character.

The Veloster N offers a comprehensive degree of exterior, interior and mechanical differentiation even beyond the  Veloster cooking models.

N Exterior Differentiation

From the outside, Veloster N provides an exclusive N-design front fascia and grille with dedicated front air ducts for enhanced brake cooling.

In profile, exclusive N-design rocker side sills and available lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels with a machined-finish dual-spoke star design clearly differentiate the N model from other Veloster variants. Tyres are of the ultra-high performance category, with standard 19-inch wheel wrapped in exclusive-compound 235/35R19 Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

The rear of the Veloster N sports a larger N-design rear spoiler, rear fascia design with integrated diffuser, and performance-diameter, high-flow dual exhaust.

Interior

On the inside, Veloster N offers exclusive N-specific front cloth sport seats with performance-focused bolstering, N-design steering wheel, shift knob, N-logo door sill plates, and N-design instrument cluster. Interior details are accented by blue accent theme.

Powertrain

Power comes from a 2.0-litre direct-injected turbocharged engine delivering 202kW at 6,000 rpm and 353Nm of torque from 1,450-4,700 rpm.

The turbo system intercooler in the Veloster N is isolated from the condenser and radiator for more efficient cooling of the intake charge. The system also benefits from a two-stage induction system for maximum output at all rpm ranges. The engine compression ratio is 9.5:1, high for a turbocharged engine.

The high performance engine is backed up by a close-ratio, short-throw six-speed manual transmission with downshift rev-matching capability. The transmission uses carbon-coated synchro rings and gear material reinforcement for smoother operation and lower overall shift force coupled with a positive engagement feel.

The Veloster N clutch also utilises a double-layer facing clutch disc design for increased burst strength and torque capability.

In addition, the powertrain sports a high-flow active sport exhaust system with a variable exhaust actuator. In N mode, this system yields an engine over-run exhaust crackle during high rpm upshifts and rev-matched downshifts.

Suspension and Chassis

Transferring power to the tarmac is a so called N Power Sense Axle design. The axle geometry features a zero-scrub radius for more precise steering, quicker response, and a direct on-centre feel, with increased steering linearity. The geometry is further optimised for linear torque build up and corner-exit precision.

Unique suspension tuning is derived from a multi-mode electronically-controlled suspension with a track-focused N mode available. The suspension uses a load transfer control system that reduces dive during braking, enhances roll control during cornering and reduces rear suspension compression under hard acceleration.

Outstanding cornering is further achieved via an available electronic torque-vectoring “N Corner-Carving” Limited-slip Differential. The N Corner Carving Differential improves launch performance, reduces acceleration slip understeer and increases maximum cornering speed via precise torque-vectoring.

Veloster N offers a wide range of driver tuning preference via its N Grin Control System drive mode selection system. Modes include Normal, Sport, N, Eco and N Custom, differentiating engine throttle response, engine speed rev-matching, exhaust note, active differential tuning, suspension damping rates, steering feel and yaw-control characteristics.

Braking

Veloster N is equipped with oversized 13.6-inch performance rotors on the front axle and 12.4-inch rotors on the rear.

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