Hyundai Veloster N Is One Hot Hatch For Budget Drivers

Performance cars and the word affordable rarely go together. Hyundai is trying to change that with the introduction of the new Veloster N Performance Package, and the car starts at under $30,000. The exact starting price for the car is $29,000 with an $885 destination charge.

The heart of the Veloster N is a 2.0L turbo engine that makes 275hp and 260 lb-ft of torque paired with a standard manual transmission. Hyundai says that it has spent lots of time to upgrade the chassis and tune the handling of the car so that it has the handling chops to go with the power that engine makes.

A variable exhaust valve system promises "an exhilarating engine over-run exhaust crackle during spirited-driving." The car also promises a sweet exhaust note on tip-out, when shifting, and when performing rev-matched downshifts. It's not clear if the N gets tech that helps with those rev-matched shifts.

Other features of the N Performance Package Veloster include an N Corner Carving Differential. That diff is a limited slip design with electronic control to give the car better traction in performance driving situations. To slow the vehicle down, Hyundai has fitted the Veloster N with big 13.6-inch front rotors, and 12.4-inch rear rotors that are ventilated.

The car rolls on 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/35R19 Pirelli P Zero summer tires. Hyundai says that Veloster N models will hit dealerships next month. There is no word on options that might drive the price up at this time.