2021 Hyundai Veloster N Ditches Base 250 HP Model, Arrives In US This October

Hyundai has announced the official details of the U.S. market 2021 Veloster N, which will be available only with the more powerful 275 HP Performance Package and will debut the company’s new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 2021 Hyundai Veloster N will also benefit from a number of other updates, including the new ‘N Light Sport Seats’, a new eight-inch infotainment system with navigation, as well as a full host of new driver-assistance features.

The new N Light Sport Seats will be offered as standard on the 2021 Veloster N, dressed in cloth and leatherette. The new seats are also thinner and lighter, saving a total of 4.4 lbs (2 kg) over the previous seats, and feature an illuminated N logo on the backrest.

275 hp turbo engine as standard

The now-standard Performance Package includes not only the full 275 HP from the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine but also an electronic limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels shod in stickier tires, and bigger brakes. Hyundai estimates that the 2021 Veloster N with the eight-speed DCT will complete the 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

New 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission

The new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel will be an option; the unit was developed in-house with a focus on performance. The new gearbox is a wet-clutch unit that uses oil for better lubrication and cooling performance via an electric oil pump. Hyundai claims that this makes their new transmission better in coping with high temperatures than a dry-clutch DCT and reduces parasitic drag on the powertrain.

The new transmission will also come with a number of cool features, including the ‘N Grin Shift’ mode, which increases the engine’s peak torque from 260 lb-ft to 278 lb-ft via a temporary turbocharger overboost and tunes the gearbox in its most aggressive setting for up to 20 seconds, making chores like passing another vehicle more fun.

In addition, the 2021 Veloster N’s eight-speed DCT features the ‘N Power Shift’, engaged when the vehicle accelerates with more than 90 percent throttle, mitigating torque reduction by upshifting to deliver maximum power to the wheels. Owners will be given further customization options through a special ‘Custom’ screen on the infotainment.

Finally, the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N will come with a range of new driver-assistance systems as standard; these include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning, and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Warning.

The first examples of the 2021 Hyundai Veloster N will arrive at dealerships across the US this October, with pricing to be announced on a later date.

No changes for the rest of the range

Hyundai will also release the regular versions of the 2021 Veloster in the States, albeit without any changes from the 2020 model.