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Hi All:

Just a quick pic of something that arrived in the drive today???

Like the title says, she only drives "Hot" stuff and this is just her second review!

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Pup_and_the_Veloster.jpg
The Pup and the Veloster :)

Wayne

Hi All:

And a few more mundane shots of the sharp little blue “street rod” ;)

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Interior_Front2.jpg
Interior.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Veloster_Pass_Side_Profile.jpg
Passenger side profile.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/2012_Hyundai_Veloster_Hatch_Collage.jpg
The hatch in all its versatile forms.

Wayne

If they make it a hybrid, this is my next car in 4 years ;).

That thing sure looks sporty :D she has great taste! crz fighter ;)

Hi Ophbalance and Ricardo:

It is a hot looker for sure and while I am finding faults in other areas, read what happened last night...

Damnedest thing. I was stopped at a light last night and a guy walking to what I believe to be a tavern down the street signals me to roll down the window...

And he says,
"That car is tight!"
I am not as familiar with the lingo of today's Millennials as I thought but this was most certainly a compliment of the highest order. The only thing I can compare is when I drove the CR-Z out to Iowa and pulled into a McDonald's. The employee I ordered from was asking about the car and when I left, the entire staff walked out of behind the counter and looked out the main windows while I drove off.

Wayne

I was behind one yesterday, it's definitely an eye-catching car, in a good way.

"Tight" is a good term. He liked the car. ;)

Wayne,

Could you check and see if the back seats (the bottom parts) lift up and rotate toward the front seats?
If they do, that should flatten out the extended cargo area.

If only they had matched the gear ratios on the auto with the Elantra's...
We can dream, right?
If something were to happen to my Elantra, the Veloster is on the short list for replacement.

fuel efficiency & 18 inch wheels don't go hand-in-hand, the car looks good, if you don't look too close

That car is flat out sexy looking.

Kirk

^^ true that!

Velosters are good-looking cars...saw one on the road yesterday evening. Can't get over the 3rd door thing though. I hate asymmetry so it needs two or four doors!

"Tight" is indeed praise...though its origins are off-colour :D

Velosters are good-looking cars...saw one on the road yesterday evening. Can't get over the 3rd door thing though. I hate asymmetry so it needs two or four doors!

"Tight" is indeed praise...though its origins are off-colour :D

I agree with regards to symmetry but I give the Veloster a pass! :D
The Nissan Cube on the other hand, makes me gag a little everyone I see one. :p

I got to compare a Gen II Prius and Veloster side by side on I40 yesterday. They appear fairly equal, with the Veloster being slightly wider and more squat. I do question 18's on... well, anything really ;). I'm already looking at putting on another set on the Prius, and that's going to cost me something like $600 total. I cannot imagine having to put on 18's every 60-80k miles.

I do question 18's on... well, anything really ;).

On Tire Rack's search, they list winter tires in 195/65-15 and 205/60-15, with either steel or aluminum wheels available. So 15" wheels will fit. The 18's are fitted as eye candy.
On T-R's site, they list Moda MD9 aluminum 15s that are quoted at 14.5 pounds as a guaranteed fit for the Veloster. Oddly, if you select 2012 Veloster and search for replacement wheels, they don't show you the 15 or 16 inch sizes - only 17 thru 20 inches. To get the smaller - and more rational - tire/wheel sizes, you need to choose "winter" tire packages.

The Veloster suspension/braking components are largely 2011+ Elantra, so 15s are possible. Although it will take the sharp edge off handling, it hard to argue with the price of the Fuel Max tires in 195/65-15 size listed at $89ea plus shipping, vs the OEM 215/48-18 Kumho KH25's listed on the same site at $148ea, and 22lbs each vs 18lbs each for the 15" FuelMax.

Big wheels are a styling fad, like the tail fins of 1950-1965, the vinyl roof of 1965-1980, the "simulated convertible" roof covering of the 1980s, and the rear trunk wing of the 1990s. The next generation will snicker at 18 inch wheel rims the same way we marvel at how people had their choice of eight different vinyl roof colors to choose from, or those "rear stabilizers" fitted to the hindquarters of cars built during The Forward Look era.

Hi All:

Yesterday when it arrived, it was already getting late. As I was heading to the station for het top off run, it began to sprinkle and then rain. Today it was clear for a few hours and then it started to sprinkle which turned to snow. And while it is melting as it falls, today’s drive is yet another wash out :(

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Veloster_in_the_snow.jpg
A little snow must fall... Weather service was saying 4 to 7" worth before morning.

Wayne

Hi All:

Morning of Day 3 and it looks like we are not going anywhere anytime soon.

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Veloster_in_the_snow2.jpg
A little snow must fall … About 6” of the heavy stuff :(

5 Day Weather Forecast

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Poor_Conditions.jpg
Maybe Monday?

Wayne

On Tire Rack's search, they list winter tires in 195/65-15 and 205/60-15, with either steel or aluminum wheels available. So 15" wheels will fit. The 18's are fitted as eye candy.
On T-R's site, they list Moda MD9 aluminum 15s that are quoted at 14.5 pounds as a guaranteed fit for the Veloster. Oddly, if you select 2012 Veloster and search for replacement wheels, they don't show you the 15 or 16 inch sizes - only 17 thru 20 inches. To get the smaller - and more rational - tire/wheel sizes, you need to choose "winter" tire packages.

The Veloster suspension/braking components are largely 2011+ Elantra, so 15s are possible. Although it will take the sharp edge off handling, it hard to argue with the price of the Fuel Max tires in 195/65-15 size listed at $89ea plus shipping, vs the OEM 215/48-18 Kumho KH25's listed on the same site at $148ea, and 22lbs each vs 18lbs each for the 15" FuelMax.

Big wheels are a styling fad, like the tail fins of 1950-1965, the vinyl roof of 1965-1980, the "simulated convertible" roof covering of the 1980s, and the rear trunk wing of the 1990s. The next generation will snicker at 18 inch wheel rims the same way we marvel at how people had their choice of eight different vinyl roof colors to choose from, or those "rear stabilizers" fitted to the hindquarters of cars built during The Forward Look era.

JEEX MAXX!! I've been waiting to buy these!! They are being discontinued and not much left! :D. I hope he ignores you :p

Hi All:

Cleaned the drive and here it comes again :rolleyes:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Veloster_in_the_snow3.jpg
"No Veloster For You!"

First Impressions

From the 30 or so miles on it so far. It is attractive for sure. It is also sporty both outside and in. Grab handles for the doors are not in the arm rests but are separate handles that feel like they belong on a space ship. 7” screen with Hyundai’s Blue Link is cool for a $17,300 car.

The sunroof is unique in that its not only huge -- this “aint” no moonroof” -- but the entire roof is a panoramic plate of glass. When looking out the rear view mirror, you are looking through the top of the roof!

Seats are meant for 20 something’s, not 40 something’s as the bottom and upright seat cushions have bolsters stout enough to hold a NASCAR driver in place at 3G’s.

It has sport written all over it including the Ride. It is rough and probably more so with the 40 series low profile 18’s it is shod with. I am sure it was purposely designed for that. It is also loud.

Braking? Tip into those things and it brakes quickly with little dead band or progression.

Fuel economy… First drive using basics. 51.3 mpgUS per the uncalibrated OEM aFCD. Then it started to snow hard :( Some highway, a few cold starts and she’s down to 45… Hopefully tomorrow we can dig in and find out what this little muscle car (looking that is ;)) has in store.

Wayne

Hi JonNC:

The front or rear seats do not pivot so that bump is going to be there when loading longer items.

Wayne

The "No Veloster For You" photo caption above could, for the benefit of Seinfeld loyalists recalling a certain Soup vendor, be titled "No Coupe For You! Come Back - One Week!"

I liked this car, sitting in it at the auto show.

those snow pics make the wife and I very jealous. almost crying over here where snow is extinct. already turning into spring/summer. BLEH!! i want a real winter.

Good luck on the drive!

Hi Chris:

I like your "No coupe for you" is better than mine ;)

2RR2NV, you can have it! It is great except when I have a press fleet car which is about 100% chance to snow if one is scheduled for the winter months :rolleyes: We got kind of lucky with the Accent two weeks ago!

I went out on a small $50 grocery run early this morning and the entire list fit beneath the privacy cover with a little more than half the volume still available.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Review

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Grocery_run.jpg
Cargo capacity is not bad.

Wayne

...And then you made the left turn into your development.

thump-th-THUMP

Is it me, or does that look far more shallow than the Gen II/III hatch area?

Hi Rich:

I did into my parent's sub with that sharp edge during the snow and it was one of the harshest...

Ophbalance, it is not nearly as long as the Prius but is deeper.

The Veloster kind of reminds me of the latest Tiguan commercial ...

http://www.youtube.com/v/M-7Rvc2qLHc?version=3

They see me rollin … They hate it … Patrolling and trying to catch me ridin dirty … Tryin to catch me ridin dirty, tryin to catch me ridin dirty, tryin to catch me ridin dirty...

Except it has all the safety gear and has a useable trunk ;)

Wayne

Wayne, I was more referring to the groceries (piled on the left) all sliding to the right side of the trunk while tumbling and unbagging themselves. I have this problem frequently. :eek:

Hi Rich:

Got it. I keep the same in mind and was able to make hard right turns but to the left, it was a bit less shall we say, "aggressive" ;)

Wayne

2RR2NV, you can have it! It is great except when I have a press fleet car which is about 100% chance to snow if one is scheduled for the winter months :rolleyes: We got kind of lucky with the Accent two weeks ago!



Wayne

well, fill up some garbage bags with snow and bring it on down. i'm sure it would be a great drive. :)

Hi 2RR2NV:

Not likely as there is a 20 + mph wind coming direct out of the south at this very moment :(

Actually, the temps are perfect for a late February day at 41 when I got home from church. The strong winds would skew any FE results making them not worth reporting :(

From dead cold to church 2 miles away and back it only allowed 44 mpg...

13-year old nephew saw it today and said, “That is Awesome!”

Wayne

Hi All:

A 17 mile drive from cold both ways. Heading out with a 15 + mph tail wind for 8 miles and the same to the side for an additional 9 miles. Coming back it was 9 miles with a 10 + mph headwind and 8 miles with the same side wind.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/67_0_mpg_out_-_58_5_mpg_in.jpg
67.0 mpgUS out and 58.5 mpg coming back per the uncalibrated OEM aFCD.

Wayne

Impressive numbers, that wind is a killer (or a savior).

Wayne if you haven't checked out the NWS Graphical forecast yet, it could be a good resource. You can see at a glance the forecasted wind speed/direction and temp for a given point on the map for any time of day, in order to pick the best time to drive.

I just picked a random spot along I-94 as an example:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w1=td&w3=sfcwind&w3u=1&w7=thunder&w8=rain&w9=snow&w10=fzg&w11=sleet&w14u=1&w15u=1&pqpfhr=6&psnwhr=6&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=42.42496&textField2=-87.95229&site=all&unit=0&dd=0&bw=0

Hi Rich:

Never seen that detailed of a map from the NWS before and it is pretty cool. I know the wind well as I-94 borders my sub... And it is usually the calmest after 10:00 PM so tomorrow night may be a very very long night to get the maximum, basic/intermediate aFCD offsets and the steady states.

Thanks again.

Wayne

Hi All:

First chance to get a decent calibration drive considering the Veloster goes home tomorrow and the winds are still a tad too strong along with a little drizzle :(

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/34_-_36_degrees_-_SE_wind_10_-_15_mph.JPG
Shorter than normal calibration drive was in temps from 34 to 36 degrees F and winds out of the SE at 10 – 15 mph.

Hyundai’s Blue Link XM Weather forecast is pretty cool too!

Wayne

Hi All:

One of the few pups that has survived a full-on run at the EPA :D

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Pups_at_50_mph.JPG

Wayne

Hi All:

And the linked round trip drive 50.5 mile RT drive route…

2012 Hyundai Velsoter Review

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Drive_Route.jpg (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=N+Dilleys+Rd&daddr=42.39293,-87.92647+to:WI-20+W%2FWashington+Ave+to:42.3933189,-87.9269922+to:N+Dilleys+Rd&hl=en&sll=42.378167,-87.938578&sspn=0.003032,0.006947&geocode=FV-jhgIdaCfC-g%3BFWLdhgIdOlnC-ik3zZ4F540PiDGtEFClNRq7sw%3BFSDyiwIdxuvB-g%3BFebehgIdMFfC-imh39lB540PiDFVBcGf6Ei54w%3BFSujhgIdWyfC-g&oq=Speedway+Gurnee,+IL&mra=dme&mrsp=4&sz=18&via=1,3&t=m&z=18)
Speedway in Gurnee, IL to Hwy 20 and I-94 in WI and back.

Wayne

Hi All:

And the numbers… Oh boy was this was close to not meeting our base criteria of 60 mpg…

Trip A/B OEM display: 47.4 miles
Actual miles: 50.5 miles
Gallons consumed: .834 gallons
OEM aFCD: 57.7 mpg
Actual: 60.55 mpg

2012 Hyundai Veloster Review

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Calibration_fill_collage.jpg

Unfortunately the flash went off for my second to last pic of the pump and I got one more of the gallons consumed before the rechargeable batteries died. My spare set was at home in the charger so I could not get any dash pics. :mad:

Notes: The 18 VR rated rubber will not roll. My downhill section about a mile from the station allowed a whopping 25 mph terminal. Topping off the Veloster was easier than I had hoped. It only took 4 top offs while shaking the car in between. From first click -- on a far too quick fill pump -- to top off allowed another 1.6 gallons during the initial fill so I suspect the Velsoter's actual fuel cap is somewhere around 13 gallons. With the FE in poor temps (add 3.5 + mpg in 70 degree F temps), the Velsoter's max range is somewhere around 830 miles when pushing it to its limits.

Wayne

Hi All:

One set of NiMH batteries are topped off and the second are about half way up now so it is out again to find a basic-intermediate level of FE... After some dinner of course ;)

Wayne

Hi All:

The basic/intermediate calibration route.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Drive_Route2.jpg (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=N+Dilleys+Rd&daddr=42.3965409,-87.9550935+to:42.428772,-87.9724691+to:NE+Frontage+Rd+to:Russel+Rd&hl=en&ll=42.594544,-87.885132&spn=0.77338,1.778412&sll=42.776377,-87.950578&sspn=0.024098,0.055575&geocode=FV-jhgIdaCfC-g%3BFXzrhgIda-nB-im5l4VmQI4PiDHGJqpflBCI3w%3BFWRphwIdi6XB-ilb5Yeo4o4PiDG3Mu3iYb7_5Q%3BFbi_jAIdkvDB-g%3BFaxjiAIdIPDD-g&mra=dme&mrsp=3&sz=15&via=1,2&t=m&z=10)
57.6 miles: Speedway in Gurnee, IL to I-94 and Hwy K in WI and back
to a Citgo on Stateline Road and Sheridan in Winthrop Harbor, IL.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/35_-_37_degrees_-_SE_wind_20_-_25_mph.JPG
Drive 2 Conditions :( 35 to 37 degrees F - SE wind at 20 - 25 mph and it began to rain on the way back.

Wayne

Hi All:

Basic/Intermediate Calibration fill #2.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Calibration_fill_collage_2.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1_046_gallons_at_Citgo.JPG
Top off to top off with 56.2 miles and 51.1 mpgUS displayed - 57.6 miles actual/1.046 gallons consumed = 55.07 mpgUS.

Wayne

Hi All:

With those two drives out of the way and a way to knock out the steady state mph vs. mpg relationship, I waited over four hours and conditions only worsened.

Day one, the car arrives late afternoon and it is sprinkling by the time I get it setup for the first drive. Day 2 and its snowing. Day three and its blowing 30 + mph. Day 4 and we have more snow. Day 5 and the wind is blowing hard. Day 6 and the wind is blowing and now it is raining into Day 7. This could not have been a worse week for any type of calibration drives let alone the shortened ones :( The Veloster gets picked up tomorrow morning/afternoon :(

Current conditions are just GREAT!!!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/36_degrees_-_Rain_-_E_wind_20_-_25_mph.JPG
36 degrees and raining hard. Winds from the East at 20 - 25 mph.

Wayne

Hi All:

Some of the interior highlights of the 2012 Veloster.

Interior Highlights - Vanity mirror with light that shuts off automatically when you close the visor (Hyundai and Kia exclusive in my experience I think?), map lights with sunglass holder (why don’t all cars come with this nowadays vs. decontenting?), chrome highlighted vent directional, chrome highlighted vent open/close roller wheel with rubber edge. Lowlight is the inflator kit vs. spare although that is where everyone is headed now.

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Interior_Highlights.jpg
Interior Highlights.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/In_dash_storage.jpg
Large in dash storage area with iPod and USB inputs plus (2) 12V outlets.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Interior_door_handle.jpg
Notice the chrome door opener and Star Trek looking grab handle? Pretty cool stuff.

The Window controls however are set to far back so you have to move your arm and hand back to an uncomfortable position to get at them.

Soft to the touch plastic and vinyl material abound. Wait until you see the seat materials and construction in a minute. Very classy for a vehicle that starts at just $17,300 USD. $2,000 for the style package that includes the vinyl door inserts.

Wayne

Hi All:

Some of the interior highlights of the 2012 Veloster.

Interior Highlights - Vanity mirror with light that shuts off automatically when you close the visor (Hyundai and Kia exclusive in my experience I think?)
My 2001 Golf did that :p It's cool at first but I think it's mostly unnecessary expense for a feature which very few people will end up noticing.

I think the vanity mirror lights shut off in my Prius when you either close the mirror cover or fold the whole thing back up.

Hi All:

And the seats…

2012 Hyundai Veloster

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Seat_material.jpg
Shoulder and headrest material highlights. 2 soft vinyl colors and textures for the headrest, outside and inside shoulder and a tough but very rich looking textured material.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Seat_material2.jpg
Continuing down to the seat bottom highlighting the vinyl colors and textures with better lighting and tough texture center and design.

While the lower and upper bolstering are far too aggressive for my tastes, I did not find myself uncomfortable after an hour behind the wheel. The various seat materials and appearance are vastly superior to anything I have sat in under $40,000 USD!

If only all B and C-Segment vehicles had such nice interiors, we would not be talking about how cheap the “others” are.

Wayne

Hi Mike:

I do not remember the Passat TDI having those auto switches during the Preview but then again I did not have a week in that VW either ;)

Colin, I am not so sure? IIRC, my mom said she had accidentally left the vanity light on at some point in the past although I am not sure she even has vanity lights? I will check the next time I am over there.

The vinyl bolsters and door inserts are a part of the $2,000 style package so it is not included with the base (to bad too) but for under $20K ($19,300 as tested), nothing I have driven provides this level of high quality interior appointments.

Wayne

My civic has a lid on the mirrors that switches the light on and off. This Veloster is a step up from that, in that it removes one step of the process.

Mine = open visor, open mirror lid. Veloster = open visor.

How do you like the panoramic sunroof?

Wayne, that Styrofoam form fit component holding the inflation kit looks like it sits in a donut spare sized well -- what's under it? could it be removed so that a spare could be added?

A spare could most likely be added. I believe the Canadian Veloster comes with a compact spare instead of the inflator kit.

Now that I get a better look at the vanity light picture, that's not what my old car had. It didn't have a manual switch, the light simply came on when the visor was down and the mirror door was opened, and turned off when the mirror door was closed or the visor was put up.

Hi Sean:

It sure did look like a spare wheel cutout but there was nothing there but the foam. Sure seems like the case given what Mike said?

RPM's@60 for the stick were approximately 2,350 or almost 50 R’s under the specs calculated.

FE at steady state? I think this one would have been a disappointment. After the second mpg vs. fuel consumed cycle, I had a negative 8.8% offset on the SG-II and while the conditions were the worst, raining, 20 mph side winds and temps in the high 30’s, I was seeing 40 mpg at just 55 mph.

If only we had a better week of weather :(

Wayne

The foam in the tire well is a high density foam shaped to support the trunk floor above. It holds the can o' goo and a small air compressor. The foam/goo/compressor from my Elantra is in the house and in its place is a spare tire (OEM tire when the snows are on, a snow tire when the OEM tires are installed), and a lug wrench and scissor jack I bought at an auto parts store. The tire well is shaped to accommodate a full size tire so that a tire of the standard width will support the floor evenly. The kit that comes with the donut has a small styrofoam insert that rests on top of the spare and holds a small wrench and jack. My sister's KOH has that kit already installed, and the Sonata hybrid/Elantra/Veloster would likely have the same setup.

Notes: The 18 VR rated rubber will not roll. My downhill section about a mile from the station allowed a whopping 25 mph terminal.

Wayne

Wayne,

Having just bought a Veloster we are a bit frustrated with it's rather low highway fuel economy and was wondering what your thoughts were on it's aerodynamics.

We certainly have tested the "it will not roll", the car just will not maintain speed on downhills even while FASing. Are there any tweaks that I've missed that will allow the car to roll better? I have inflated all of the tires to the 45psi in hopes of maintaining more momentum but to no avail.

In our steady state driving, we are seeing the following:

60mph -> 40ish MPG
70mph -> ~35 MPG
80mph -> ~30 MPG (the engine actually is at about >75% load maintaining this speed, not efficient at all but sometimes required to keep us from being run off the road in South Carolina!)

Is this what kind of mileage you are also seeing? Am I being spoiled by my other car (2009 Infiniti G37) being able to achieve 30 MPG @ 70mph which is above it's highway EPA? Is the Veloster a car that was built to "game" the EPA test cycle?

Thanks for reading.

Terry

Hi Terry:

I assume you own a Veloster with a stick since you can FAS it. The AT would be a none-starter with that.

When I had the Veloster, the weather was not cooperating so I could not perform any steady state mpg vs. mph testing unfortunately. Steady states with 15 + mph winds from any direction really skew the results and makes it hard if not impossible to provide an accurate or even semi-accurate result.

That out of the way, the stick is rated at 40 mpg highway and any B or C-segment vehicle that can achieve its EPA at 65 mph is doing better than expected imho. A larger vehicle has more inertia and once moving, the larger and more powerful vehicles lower EPA should be easier to achieve at higher speeds.

I hope that helps?

Wayne