The nimble and sporty Hyundai Veloster N received a big reveal at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Anticipation is high for this first model from the Korean manufacturer’s N Performance line to be sold in the United States.
Because Hyundai is not exactly a well established name in the world of racing, they chose to build a little hype around the Veloster N by releasing and competing with a TCR (Touring Car Racing) model in upcoming performance series. A fairly new category, TCR cars tend to be sporty sedans and hatchbacks such as the Audi RS3, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
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The Hyundai Veloster N TCR will try to prove its mettle at the upcoming IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series. Hyundai is betting that buyers will be interested in owning a car that they can see perform and compete on the race track.
“The Veloster is a perfect fit for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge as we expand our motorsports efforts,” Dean Evans, vice president, Marketing for Hyundai Motor America, commented. “The all-new 2019 Veloster and Veloster N are playful, fun-to-drive cars, and thanks to Bryan and his team we’re excited to introduce them to racing fans across North America. In 2018, we won a manufacturer’s championship, so it is great to get back to racing with our proven veterans, a pair of great young drivers, and this brand-new car.”
In 2018, Hyundai entered a duo of i30 N TCRs in the Pirelli World Challenge. While the i30 TCR is not currently available in the United States, it has proven successful on the track and expectations are high that the Veloster N TCR can match its results. That car will make its racing debut later on this month on January 25th at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida.
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The turbo direct-injection engine is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox sending power to the front axle, where a mechanical differential with an external pre-load adjuster manages the torque between the wheels. Stopping power is provided by 380mm ventilated front and 278mm rear brake discs with six-piston Brembo calipers on the front wheels and two-piston calipers on the rear wheels.
Hyundai has been quick to hype its retail-ready Veloster N as containing 85% of the core components as its Veloster N TCR. That includes the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes 350 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in the race car. That’s up from 250 hp and 260 lb-ft in the stock Veloster N. Power still goes to the front wheels, but the race car gets a special six-speed sequential transmission with pneumatic paddle shifters.
Developed by Hyundai Motorsports in Alzenau, Germany, the Veloster N and Veloster N TCR are exciting entries for recreational or sporting drivers around the world. For those interested in racing a Veloster N TCR, they are available for $155,000. The retail Veloster N will be available at a starting price of $26,900.
Source: Motor1