Coming right after Halloween, is the SEMA show, the world’s biggest annual tuning extravaganza taking place in Las Vegas. Hyundai will be vying for our attention with their new Veloster Grappler Concept that perfectly fits the description of a ‘Battle Car’ – even if the Koreans never used the term themselves.
While no changes were made under the hood – and that includes the front-wheel drive powertrain, the Veloster Grappler Concept has been conceived to convince your eyes that it can tackle any off-road challenge.
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Besides a significantly increased ground clearance, the Grappler has been fitted with Method Racing wheels shod in oversized all-terrain rubber, custom front and rear brush guards to protect both ends, a Seibon carbon-fiber vented hood and a Borla cat-back exhaust – well, that’s so its sounds match the looks.
On the more practical side, there’s a roof-mounted Thule utility basket that holds a high-output lighting system, a spare tire and removable solar panel powering an all-electric portable power station mounted inside the cabin.
Hyundai didn’t grace us with any interior images, but they say that it continues the “functional ruggedness theme” with an integrated roll bar protecting the two front occupants placed in Recaro sport seats finished in a vintage hounds tooth check pattern. The roll bar also facilitates mounting for an extra full-size spare wheel and tire behind them. Traction mats, an oversized utility shovel, first aid kit and a host of other Hyundai genuine accessories round out the build.
We’ll see the Veloster Grappler in the flesh at the 2019 SEMA show that runs from Tuesday, November 5, through Friday, November 8. In the meantime, you can check our daily rundown of news from the aftermarket event at our dedicated hub over here.
