The Hyundai Veloster N is only available with a
six-speed manual gearbox, yet that’s about to change. Seen testing at the
Nurburgring not long ago was a prototype of the car equipped with an automatic
transmission – and now a different example with the same ‘box has been nabbed
again at the same track. Given the quick-shifting sounds and Hyundai’s existing DCT gearbox,
we are, in all likelihood, looking at some sort of dual-clutch automatic, which
will still be coupled to the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
In base form, the mill delivers 250 PS and 352 Nm of torque. With the optional Performance Package
comes a boost in power, to 275 PS, as well as some
performance-enhancing features such as an electronically controlled
limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels wrapped in grippy Pirelli P Zero
rubber, bigger brakes and a sports exhaust system.
We don’t know yet if the new DCT will be offered
with the more powerful version of the car only, but it will likely drop a few
tenths of a second off the 6.1-second 0-100 km/h run of the manual
model. On our side of the Atlantic Ocean, the Veloster N Performance Package
has an MSRP of US$ 29,000, US$ 2,100 more than the entry-level car. Expect a small
price bump in the case of the automatic version.
Given that testing of the DCT-equipped Veloster N
seems to be almost ready, we wouldn’t be surprised if Hyundai launches it
before the end of the year.
