Hyundai supposed to end production VelosterSo now seems like the right time to take a quick look at the quirky hatchback.
Based on HankyungThe company will end production of the Veloster in mid-July at its Ulsan 1 plant.
The demise of the quirky asymmetrical hatchback will allow the company to produce more Kona crossover, will launch the second generation in early 2023.
Imports to Australia to stop in 2020 when Hyundai decided to stop producing non-N versions of the Veloster. With the domestic branch wanting to focus on the i30 N and i30 Sedan N, the second-generation Veloster N was never sold below.
Veloster’s reported demise makes sense as the company is slashing its ICE model range as it begins to produce more vehicles on its dedicated EV architecture.
Ioniq liftback is also set to disappear soon turn off this mortal coil, and the rumors keep swirling around the long-term future of the Sonata sedan.
2007 HND-3 Veloster concept
Although the original Veloster started production in 2011, its origins can be traced back to the 2007 HND-3 Veloster concept.
The overall look and styling of that car was carried over to the production Veloster. Interestingly, the concept has two conventional passenger doors – one on each side – with an asymmetrical door layout that was added to the vehicle when it entered production.
Other significant changes include the removal of the U-shaped tailgate and roof design, and the replacement of the concept’s clean interior with something more in keeping with the Sonata.
First generation
The Veloster’s styling is certainly eye-catching, but it doesn’t stand out from the rest of the Hyundai lineup, with the Sonata and Elantra having gone through a creative moment.
What is really unusual is the body structure. It has one large door on the driver’s side and two smaller doors on the passenger side. So depending on your point of view, the Veloster can be a sporty hatchback coupe or a practical family car.
Mind you, practicality has been somewhat limited by the fact that the Veloster, through both generations, seats only four while it could easily boast a fifth.
Unlike some other cars with an asymmetrical door layout – ahem, we’re looking at you Mini Clubman – Hyundai has this setup for both left and right driving styles, which means the company has to fully designed and built two-hull bodies for the UK, Australia and other RHD markets, and the rest of the world.
Despite its sporty looks, the starter motor is a 103kW/167Nm 1.6-litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol. At least it’s available with the company’s first six-speed manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
These issues were largely resolved when the Turbo model arrived a year later, boasting a 1.6-litre engine delivering 150kW/265Nm.
While that doesn’t sound like much these days, the Mk VI Golf GTI, nearing the end of its run in 2012, has a 154kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
Until the Euro-developed N models appeared online from 2016, the Veloster carried the performance torch to Hyundai for most of the early 2010s.
As such, there have been plenty of SEMA concepts, race-inspired specials, and an off-road racing car for Rhys Millen, featuring a 373kW 2.0-litre turbo engine and all-wheel drive. time.
The second generation
Mirroring what is happening in the rest of the Hyundai lineup, the second-generation Veloster has a more mature styling.
Locally, the Veloster range is powered by a larger 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder and a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo.
Overseas there’s also a 2.0-litre turbo-equipped Veloster N, making 184kW/353Nm with the six-speed manual transmission or 202kW/353Nm with the new eight-speed wet-clutch dual-clutch transmission.
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Women’s Veloster
Due to the presence of other similar i30 N in the Hyundai Australia range, the Veloster N sadly never hopped on a ship to Australia.
With buyers preferring crossovers in ever-greater numbers, sales of the second-generation Veloster have never really taken off. Australian imports of the Veloster ceased at the end of 2020 as production of the non-N variants ended.
The sale
Like most sports cars, Veloster sales peak early and then decline.
In 2012 (4107), the Veloster was Australia’s best-selling sports car, twice as much as the Toyota 86, which has only been around for half a year.
The Veloster also outsold two mainstream models in Hyundai’s lineup: the i40 and i45. Sales are also 600 units short to catch up with the Santa Fe.
As the first generation ended in 2018 and with the launch of the second generation in mid-2019, Veloster sales dropped dramatically.
Between 2012 and 2021, Hyundai sold 19,760 Velosters Down Under.
