Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition – limited 1,200 unit run

Having just received its facelift at the start of this year, the Veloster gains a new limited edition (only 1,200 units) sibling in the form of the Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition. Unveiled at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, this hot hatch is more than just an aesthetically spiced-up version of its vanilla cousins.

On the outside, there’s a larger hexagonal front grille while a new motif is featured on the LED head lamps. Elsewhere, black 18-inch alloy wheels, side skirts in faux carbon, a revised rear diffuser and a smattering of ‘Rally Edition’ badges are featured. Exclusively available on this car is the Matte Blue treatment – which also happens to be the only colour available for it.

Under the hood, the car sports a 1.6 litre, turbocharged four-cylinder mill that pumps out 201 hp at 6,000 rpm and 264 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm. Unlike the rest of the range, the Veloster Rally Edition is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. As a result, the century sprint is done and dusted in 7.3 seconds – half a second behind an automatic-equipped Veloster Turbo.

Owners need not feel short-changed, though. While the Rally Edition may be slower in a straight line compared to the Veloster Turbo, handling has been upped with a retuned suspension setup, which includes revamped springs and dampers as well as the addition of a front stabiliser bar. The aforementioned 18-inch wheels are wrapped in 225/40 performance tyres.

The interior is a little less dramatic, though. Most of the architecture from its lesser siblings have been carried over with only blue accents on the seat, grab handles and door panels marking it out as something special. Elsewhere, silver inserts have now been coloured grey for a sportier ambience – no doubt aided by the inclusion of custom floor mats and a B&M Racing shifter.

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