Detroit Auto Show 2018: 2019 Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai chose the 2018 North American International Auto Show to reveal the second generation 2019 Hyundai Veloster. To be launched in Australia in the third quarter of 2018, the new Veloster promises to be more fun, better equipped and more stylish than the car it replaces.

For the first time, the Veloster range will be accompanied by a hot Veloster N, featuring the same 2.0-litre turbo engine as the i30 N. It’s not known if the Veloster N will come to Australia as yet, but Hyundai Australia are said to be eager to get the regular Veloster here – especially considering its success here. Despite its age, the Veloster is still one of the highest-selling sports cars in Australia, thanks to its value for money and practicality.

“Our new 2019 Veloster represents an even more compelling offering for young and young-at-heart automotive enthusiasts with more expressive design, involving dynamics and cutting-edge infotainment features,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning at Hyundai Motor America.

“When combined with Hyundai’s outstanding value and efficiency, the new Veloster is sure to attract a progressive new group of enthusiast buyers.”

Featuring the same asymmetric ‘two-plus-one’ layout as the previous generation car, with the same two doors on one side and one door on the other side, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster design is a clear evolution from the previous model, though modernised to fit in with the rest of the current Hyundai range. The front end takes a more aggressive stance, with more angled headlights and a larger version of the corporate Hyundai cascading grille, also in line with the new generation i30.

Down the side of the 2019 Veloster are new flank lines designed to make the car look more dynamic and emotional. The A-pillar has been moved rearward slightly, and the whole roofline is lower – though, Hyundai aren’t saying how much lower for now. For the first time, there is the option of a black roof to further emphasise the new Veloster’s new styling. The rear of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster is lower and wider, with a more purposeful and sportier look emphasised by the tailights that extend up the body further than the previous model. A range of wheels is also available, with sizes up to 18-inches available.

Whilst the exterior of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster may be evolutionary, the interior borders on revolutionary – it is a big step up on the previous model. Featuring a much more driver-focused layout than previous, the interior of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster appears much more modern and upscale as well. Centrepiece of the interior is Hyundai’s 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and whilst it sits on the dashboard like the i30, the shortcut buttons surrounding the screen have been moved to the lower dashboard for a sleeker look. Small air-vents exist on each side of the screen, with an asymmetric divider sitting on the passenger side to emphasise the driver-focus of the cabin. There are more angular pieces of the interior such as the starter button surround and the door handles, which give an edgier look than ever before.

The Veloster can be had with much more equipment this time around, too, with a heads-up display, a premium Infinity sound system, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, LED headlights with automatic high beam and active safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, radar cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert all available – though which equipment will be standard in Australia is not yet known.

The drivetrains of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster have been boosted with the former 1.6-litre petrol base engine replaced with a larger 2.0-litre variant, this time with 110kW of power and 179Nm of torque and matched to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Veloster Turbo returns for this generation of Veloster as well, using the same 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo four, again matched to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Veloster Turbo feature a quicker-ratio steering rack a 24mm front stabiliser bar with the rear multi-link suspension featuring a 19mm stabiliser bar to further control body roll.

At the top of the Veloster range – overseas, at least – is the Veloster N, which is part of Hyundai’s performance N sub-brand. Utilising the same 2.0-litre turbo from the new i30 N performance package, the Veloster N makes 202kW of power and 353Nm of torque, and is matched only to a six-speed manual with downshift rev-matching capability. The Veloster N also features a number of extra N-specific details, including 19-inch alloy wheels, a mechanical limited-slip differential at the front, Hyundai’s N Grin Control System with different driving modes such as sport and N, as well as a more aggressive exterior treatment and sports seats on the inside.

The Veloster N is unfortunately not confirmed for Australia as yet, with Hyundai telling local media that the car’s chances of coming here are “more unlikely than likely” thanks to a left-hand drive focus.

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster is due to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2018, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then.

Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for more news from the 2018 North American International Auto Show.