Photo: Hyundai
On November 5th, the doors to the Las Vegas Convention Center will open for the 2019 edition of the SEMA Show. This year will see Hyundai challenge the Honda Civic Type R with a one-off pocket rocket created in collaboration with Bisimoto Engineering.
The tuning wizards at Bisimoto were responsible for a 700-horsepower Tucson a few years ago, but the VelosterRaptor N Concept is far more restrained. The output levels up from 275 horsepower to “above 320 horsepower” with the help of different software for the engine, a water-methanol kit, high-flow intake and exhaust systems, larger intercooler, and modifications to the mass airflow as well as the turbo.
Only one picture was provided by Hyundai, and the center-lock wheels definitely mean business. Lowered suspension, red brake calipers, and a few upgrades to the front bumper are a few of the other highlights. Billed as a customer-friendly builtd, the bolt-on modifications of the VelosterRaptor N are complemented by a pair of lighweight seats up front and “a digital diagnostic display” as you might find in a racing car.
What boggles the mind about this one-off hot hatchback is that Hyundai themselves used “Type R killer” in the press release, and that doesn’t sit well with the Honda crowd. The Civic Type R is arguably the most exciting front-driven hatchback on sale in the United States, and from the factory, it’s more potent than the Veloster N from 2.0 liters of displacement and a single turbo (306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque).
It’s also unnatural for Hyundai to take on the big boys in the segment even though the N performance division is all about the driving experience, not the suck-squeeze-bang-blow. Looking at the bigger picture, “Type R killer” is one way to attract crowds at the Hyundai stand in L.A. while us motoring journos scratch our heads in disbelief.
On an ending note, care to guess how much of a pricing difference there is between the Civic Type R and Veloster N with the Performance Package? The golden standard from Japan is $36,300 excluding freight while the South Korean alternative is $29,500.
Only one picture was provided by Hyundai, and the center-lock wheels definitely mean business. Lowered suspension, red brake calipers, and a few upgrades to the front bumper are a few of the other highlights. Billed as a customer-friendly builtd, the bolt-on modifications of the VelosterRaptor N are complemented by a pair of lighweight seats up front and “a digital diagnostic display” as you might find in a racing car.
What boggles the mind about this one-off hot hatchback is that Hyundai themselves used “Type R killer” in the press release, and that doesn’t sit well with the Honda crowd. The Civic Type R is arguably the most exciting front-driven hatchback on sale in the United States, and from the factory, it’s more potent than the Veloster N from 2.0 liters of displacement and a single turbo (306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque).
It’s also unnatural for Hyundai to take on the big boys in the segment even though the N performance division is all about the driving experience, not the suck-squeeze-bang-blow. Looking at the bigger picture, “Type R killer” is one way to attract crowds at the Hyundai stand in L.A. while us motoring journos scratch our heads in disbelief.
On an ending note, care to guess how much of a pricing difference there is between the Civic Type R and Veloster N with the Performance Package? The golden standard from Japan is $36,300 excluding freight while the South Korean alternative is $29,500.
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