SEMA is still over
a month away, but that hasn’t stopped Hyundai from unveiling modified versions
of the Veloster N and Ioniq Electric. Created to compete in Optima Batteries’
2018 Search for the Ultimate Street Car, the one-off models have been created
in a way that mirrors what a “typical enthusiast” would do to the cars.
In the case of the
Veloster N, the model has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that
has been equipped with a cat-back exhaust system, a cold-air intake and a high
capacity charge-air cooler. Other upgrades include a Remus Powerizer (which
modifies the engine mapping) and a Remus Responder which improves throttle
response.
The car has also
been equipped with a roll cage, adjustable sway bars and a Wilwood Endurance
race-spec braking system. Elsewhere, Hyundai installed a strut tower brace and
subframe supports from Pierce Motorsports. Also, the car has a new front splitter and side skirts as well as H&R
lowering spring which reduce the ride height by 30 mm. The model
has also been outfitted with 19-inch BBS LM-R wheels which are wrapped in
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tires.
Moving into the
cabin, there’s an upgraded audio system and Recaro seats featuring six-point
harnesses. The car also has “performance blue trim.” The Ioniq Electric is the
more interesting of the two as it features an upgraded powertrain with a more
powerful motor sourced from the Kona Electric. As a result, the car now has 201
hp and 394 Nm of torque – an increase of 83 hp and 99 Nm. Thanks to the extra power, the model
accelerates from 0-96 km/h in 8.0 seconds and has a top speed of 185 km/h.
Besides the new
electric motor, the Ioniq has been equipped with a limited slip differential
and a Wilwood braking system. Other upgrades include lowering springs, cooling
upgrades and 18-inch Volk Racing Wheels with Bridgestone tires.
The cars will
compete in the last two Ultimate Street Car events and Hyundai says the
vehicles will be used to “collect data on multiple tracks across the country to
aid in development and validation.” The automaker is also studying the models
to see how they react to the performance upgrades.
