Hyundai introduces charismatic new coupes

Sporty cars with design charisma, spirited performance, fuel efficiency and affordable price tags are a Hyundai specialty. A pair of new 2013 sport coupes — the Veloster Turbo and Elantra Coupe — reinforce the automaker’s prowess in these areas.

While both the three-door Veloster Turbo, base priced at $21,950, and two-door Elantra Coupe, with a $17,445 starting price, boast slick “Fluidic Sculpture” styling geared to rev emotions, powertrains strongly factor into the lure of these front-wheel-drive coupes.

Veloter Turbo ups bad-boy quotient

The Veloster Turbo gets an engine fitting for a car with a stand-out muscular form. Performance wasn’t the focus with the original Veloster, motivated by a 138-horsepower engine, but the Turbo version gets a kick. It packs a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline-direct-injection four-cylinder, cranking out 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,750 rpm.

Other numbers the Veloster Turbo delivers are 125.6 horsepower per liter, 14 pounds/horsepower weight-to-power ratio and up to 26 miles per gallon city and 38 mpg highway with the six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic paddle shifting is a $1,000 option.

The turbo used is a twin-scroll unit that provides efficiency advantages in combustion and low engine speed. Sport-tuning the engine intake and exhaust note — bellowing from larger, round, twin center-exiting outlets — boosts the Veloster Turbo’s performance character.

Steering also is sport-tuned, calibrated to provide quicker response. The suspension system is a carryover design, which teams with distinctive 18-inch turbine-style five-spoke alloy wheels with chrome inserts and P215/40VR-18 tires. Other exterior changes upping its performance character are an aggressive front fascia with more-prominent grille, bold fog lights, rocker sills and rear spoiler.

Buyers can push the bad-boy-look envelope with a Hyundai-first Matte-Gray paint, adding $1,000 to the price tag.

Inside, the Veloster Turbo’s well-bolstered seats are upholstered with leather, and “Turbo” is embossed on the seatbacks. The driver benefits from a larger, clearer Supervision Cluster that delivers information in an interactive format.

Elantra Coupe gets up to 40 mpg

The Elantra Coupe, available in base GS and sportier SE versions, is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 148 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 131 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. It’s mated with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic and an Active Eco System.

Enhanced with the efficiency of Continuously Variable Valve Timing, estimated fuel economy with the manual transmission is 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. An electronic push-button start, combined with proximity key entry, is available.

In comparison with its Elantra sedan sibling, steering is tuned for a more-responsive feel. Those looking for a sportier driving experience can opt for the more-aggressive-looking SE model, base priced at $19,745, which rides on a firmer suspension, calibrated for its 17-inch alloy wheels and lower-profile P215/45R-17 tires. The GS rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped with P205/55R-16 tires.

Along with fuel efficiency and performance, Hyundai focused on providing passengers with improved cabin space and interior quietness.

Cloth is the standard upholstery for the GS model and the SE gets a leather upgrade. Cargo space is expanded with fold-down 60-40-split rear seatbacks.

A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition is standard, and a 7-inch touch-screen navigation with rearview camera and iPod/USB inputs is available.

Hyundai’s Elantra Coupe and Veloster Turbo stack up well against competitors, offering eye-grabbing styling, efficient powerplants, an impressive list of standard features and affordable pricing.

 

Courtesy of Chron