Hyundai listens: Adds 2013 Veloster high-performance option

You wouldn’t think that one option would make that much difference in the performance of a car, but when you add more grip to the road surface, the results can be significant. Hyundai is a progressive company, and listening to their customers is a sure sign they understand the market.

When Hyundai first introduced the 2013 Veloster, they knew they had a hit on their hands. Buyers flocked to dealers showrooms and they couldn’t keep up with the demand. And with pricing on the new 2013 Hyundai Veloster turbo at $21,950, it is selling well also. Now Hyundai has listened to specific buyer groups like performance enthusiasts, and have added a high performance summer tire option for the new 2013 Veloster and Veloster Turbo.

Not only did Hyundai listen to buyers, but they listened to what the media was saying in the recent reports on the new Veloster and Veloster turbo. Other manufacturers should take a lesson from Hyundai if they want to experience the same success. Hyundai executives are moving this South Korean company in the right direction, and it shows in the vehicles they are producing.

“We heard the appeal from opinion-leading media and purist enthusiasts,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning for Hyundai Motor America. “They told us that as good as Veloster is, the suspension calibration and especially the new powertrain of the turbo model screamed for even more outright grip to satisfy enthusiast buyers. The Pilot Super Sport summer tire option for Veloster is another example of HyundaiSpeed in response to specific buyer groups, like performance enthusiasts.”

After listening to these groups, Hyundai has added a high performance summer tire option for the new 2013 Veloster and Veloster Turbo. Hyundai says they have selected the renowned Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tire as an option for its innovative sport coupe. The new tires will offer better wet/dry grip, cornering and braking performance.

In performance tests, skid pad lateral-acceleration performance increased from 0.82g with the standard Veloster Turbo tire to 0.94g with the Pilot Super Sport, while braking (60-0 mph) decreased from 135 ft. to 121 ft., and wet braking decreased from 157 ft. to 136 ft. Now we'll see if Hyundai continues to listen and brings out an even higher performance Turbo for driving enthusiasts.

That is a dramatic difference that driving enthusiasts can feel immediately. Keep an eye on the Hyundai Motor Group. Any automaker that listens to what the market is saying will continue to pass the competition. The 2013 Hyundai Veloster and Veloster Turbo are good examples.