When we first sampled Hyundai’s Veloster a few months ago, we lamented its lack of oomph, but salvation appears in sight as last week Hyundai unveiled its all-new Gamma 1.6 T-GDI turbo engine in Korea, along with a Euro6 R-2.0 diesel engine.
Hyundai claims the Gamma 1.6 T-GDI engine – developed over a period of 52 months at a cost of $58 million – achieves the best performance figures in its class with outputs of 152kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm at 1750rpm. Needless to say, these figures represent a sizeable improvement on the bogger 1.6-litre Veloster’s outputs of 103kW and 167Nm.
The South Korean manufacturer says the new powerplant also meets California’s ULEV-2 (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle) standard, regarded as the most stringent, as well as Euro 5 norms.
The engine’s tech highlights include a twin-scroll turbocharger, air-guided intercooler, direct fuel injection system and dual CVVT, while a bed plate and a serpentine auxiliary belt were adopted to enhance engine reliability.
Once slotted into the 1200kg Veloster (although Hyundai is yet to formally announce the new Gamma turbo unit is destined for the asymmetric-doored coupe, it seems a mere formality), the result should be brisk performance – certainly a lot sharper than the leisurely circa-9sec 0-100km/h split that the atmo version is capable of.
It’s possible a formal announcement about the marriage of the Veloster and the 1.6-litre turbo motor could be made even as soon as the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, which gets underway on November 1.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s new Euro6 R-2.0 diesel engine is also touted as a state-of-the-art unit with outputs of 112kW and 382Nm, while reducing Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 56 percent compared to Euro5 standards.
The manufacturer boasts: “By introducing the Euro6 R-2.0 diesel engine, Hyundai Motor is expected to lead the eco-friendly passenger car diesel engine technology field, satisfying the standards more than two years ahead of their implementation.”
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...