2012 Hyundai Veloster | new car review

Hyundai in the midst of a brand revival campaigns have created one of the most evocative if not beautiful designs for 2012, the Hyundai Veloster. The 5-seater would appeal to those with sporty intentions who share a love for hatchbacks, the college going crowd and women (with an emphasis on 'young'). Hyundai want to call it a coupe, but it's really a hatch, and not a hot hatch even just a hot looking hatch. The 1.6-litre CVVT 4-cylinder engine is quite the unusual suspect. A car with such sporty proportions suggests a larger displacement or turbocharging and consequently SPEED, but the Veloster delivers anything but. The max. power of 128bhp is reached at 6,300 rpm and 157Nm of torque at 4850 rpm. Those horses are combined with a 5-speed auto which makes it apt for city and outer city cruising. We suspect the Veloster would deliver 600kms to a full tank, i.e.50 litre but need a Road Test to prove it. With 6 airbags in place, ABS & ESP Hyundai have have checked all the necessary boxes in the safety category. Convenience features are many, the popular smart key with start/stop button has been found it's way to the veloster's dash. For entertainment you have an audio system with mp3 capability, aux-in and USB port, the lazy armed get steering controls, then there is climate control, a Panaroma sunroof to get a view of the skyline of Dubai or elsewhere, cruise control for those very tiresome high displacement drives on highways unknown. For the careless and the fairer sex, it comes loaded with a reversing camera that displays itself on a 7"screen on the centre console, unfortunately it does not double as a display for Navigation. The leather clad upholstery is not exactly nappa quality but its confortable with the convenience of wipe-to-remove-stains, you can't complain. The interior are a little snug and 6 footers would find the rear cabin tight on head room. The Veloster runs on 18" rims that gives greater contact patch area that complements it's handling characteristics besides adding to aesthetic appeal, and they are of a beautiful 5 spoke design. To sustain the sporty theme on the insides Hyundai have screwed on some faux aluminium pedals and sports seats. The Veloster comes in colours that suit the vibrant and the introvert; 6 in total, black, white, silver, red, orange and green. Only one trim is available in the U.A.E. and it is priced at a very reasonable AED 74,900. It comes inclusive of a 3 year 100,000 km warranty and something that not all cars in this price bracket offer, style.Specifications:

Body type: Hatchback
Seating Capacity: 5
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder CVVT
Max power (bhp @ rpm): 128bhp @ 6,300 rpm
Max torque (Nm @ rpm): 157Nm @ 4,850 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Drivetrain layout: Front engine; Front wheel drive
Price: AED 74,900

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