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| Hyundai's new Veloster / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor |
Hyundai introduces turbocharged Veloster; Kia's fuel-efficient K3 returns
By Park Hyong-ki
Hyundai Motor Group is arming itself with upgraded models for young and middle-aged consumers this year.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors are bringing once-beloved cars back to the local market with enhanced technological features more than six years after their introductions.
Hyundai's Veloster came back ― this time, with a turbo engine.
Looking sportier than its previous model, young drivers of the new turbocharged coupe can feel its engine power while maximizing its torque acceleration.
It is the turbo engine that makes all the difference to the new Veloster from its predecessor introduced seven years ago, which did not have the thrust but only had the looks, a Hyundai spokesperson said.
The new coupe's basic 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DTC) powered by a 1.4-liter turbo engine boosts its torque up to 24.7 kilogram force meters. It also has a fuel economy of 13.1 kilometers per liter.
The car with a 1.6-liter turbo engine coupled with a manual transmission will obviously have higher acceleration with torque of 27 kilogram force meters at a tachometer range of 2,000 RPM to 4,000 RPM.
The engine's "Overboost" system helps the car accelerate at 28 kilogram force meters.
To make sure the young will not be carried away with the car's speed and interior, which has been designed to make it feel like they are in an aircraft cockpit, Hyundai boosted the Veloster's safety features.
It has enhanced forward collision alert and warning systems to make driving even safer, in addition to more comfortable. The coupe also features blind-spot collision and rear cross-traffic collision warning systems.
"The safety features are part of the latest trend in smart driving," the spokesperson said.
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| Kia Motors CEO Park Han-woo, right, and Vice President Kwon Hyeok-ho, second from right, pose with the All New K3 at a press event in Seoul, Feb. 20. / Courtesy of Kia Motors |
Kia's new sedan
Just like the Veloster's two unique traits of its turbo engine and safety systems, Kia Motors' All New K3 is looking to grab attention with its own two special characteristics.
Following the Veloster's commercial release last week, the K3 is looking to make a comeback in the sedan market for middle-aged buyers next week. Its previous model was released six years ago.
The second generation K3 will be equipped with the "SmartStream" powertrain.
This advanced combustion technology will boost the car's fuel economy, it said.
The group's engineers have been developing the SmartStream over the last five years to improve its vehicles' energy efficiency and help reduce carbon emissions for the environment.
The All New K3 will help make that happen with the SmartStream technology integrated with the upgraded model's gasoline engine and transmission.
It will have fuel economy of 15.2 kilometers per liter, a 10 percent improvement from its previous model.
"We plan to further apply the SmartStream to other Hyundai and Kia models in the near future," a Kia spokesperson said.
Also, Kia said the All New K3 is 80 millimeters longer and higher than the previous model.
This small increase may not look all that different, but the sedan will give drivers more trunk space and headroom for passengers.
This is all part of the company's efforts to offer a comfortable driving experience for anyone riding in the K3, it said.
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