New Hyundai Veloster N now has 8-speed DCT

MANILA: On April 20, Hyundai Motor Company launched the improved Veloster N, which now comes with an N eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (N DCT), which was developed for a thrilling driving experience.

The auto company developed the Veloster N to provide impressive cornering ability with a "cool-to-drive character" as its main priority. This is also combined with daily racetrack efficiency and sports car drivability.

The Hyundai Veloster N was designed at the global research and development (R&D) center of Korea, and its performance was validated at its testing center in Germany. The Veloster N will go on sale for the first time in South Korea this month, with other markets to follow suit.

Hyundai created the N DCT to provide the entertaining manual transmission experience with some automatic features. Through the N DCT, the new Veloster N can attain zero-to-100kph in 5.6 ticks.

The N DCT features electronic actuators that control the double clutch, which offers higher fuel efficiency, pleasurable driving, and ride comfort. Compared to the dry double-clutch transmission, the wet N DCT utilizes oil for enhanced cooling efficiency and boosts lubrication, which is common in higher torque applications.

The N DCT also includes video game-like features for greater driving fun. The N Grin Shift (NGS) elevates the torque by seven percent, which maximizes transmission response and enabling turbocharger overboost for 20 seconds. This kind of performance is sufficient to cause “driver grin,” as Hyundai puts it.

The new Veloster N DCT also has an N Track Sense Shift (NTS) that determines optimum road conditions for active driving. It also spontaneously activates, selecting the right shift and gear timing similar to a professional race car driver to deliver maximum performance.

Moreover, the N Power Shift (NPS) functions when the car speeds up with over 90% of throttle. This regulates any reduction in torque through the use of upshifts to bring full power to the Veloster N wheels. In turn, it provides the driver with a feeling of dramatic acceleration during shifting.

All of the mentioned features are configured in the updated infotainment system of the Veloster N, using the new operating system displayed on a bigger eight-inch high-definition screen. The infotainment system is combined with a JBL premium sound system which offers audiophile listening pleasure.

The Veloster N also comes with innovative Hyundai SmartSense safety technologies, namely the rear cross-traffic collision warning (RRCW), blind-spot collision warning (BCW), high beam assist (HBA), lane keeping assist (LKA), lane following assist (LFA), driver attention warning (DAW), and front collision-avoidance assist (FCA).

Aside from other state-of-the-art features like overboost, launch control, and rev matching, the Veloster N is configured to instantly detect the driving style of the customer and the road conditions to maximize the shift points.

For instance, if the car is moving downhill, it will utilize the engine brake to decrease the risk of disc-brake overheating. If the driver pushes the car on a racetrack, the vehicle will use the complete range of existing engine revolutions to achieve maximum performance.

Customers also have the option to equip the new Veloster N with N Light Sports Bucket Seats. These unibody seats are covered in plush, suede-like Alacantara upholstery, which helps secure the driver in place while the car turns at speed. The track-ready seats look thinner and have an estimated weight of 2 kg less than regular seats.

The N Light Sports Bucket Seats feature an illuminated N logo located at the upper side of the backrest, which adds to the interior appeal of the Hyundai model. The N logo light functions together with other interior lights to generate an exceptional and more exciting ambiance when driving.

The N DCT, along with other new features, enables Hyundai to develop on the “Fun to Drive” concept of the N brand. Veloster N is currently considered a real “corner rascal” that provides racetrack capabilities to a regular sports car.

According to the head of product division at Hyundai Motor, Thomas Schemera, Veloster N shows the approach of Hyundai on high-performance cars. Through the N DCT, drivers obtain maximum convenience and performance at the same time..

Also read: New Hyundai Veloster and Veloster N revealed