Can the 2020 Hyundai Veloster N’s Automatic Transmission Make It Even More Fun to Drive?
In mid-April, Hyundai announced that its Veloster N performance hatchback, Cars.com’s reigning Most Fun-to-Drive Car of the year, would be getting an automatic transmission — specifically, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The announcement came in the form of Instagram teaser videos that hinted at what the transmission could do; now we have the details.
Related: Hyundai Veloster N Adds Automatic Transmission: Blasphemy or ‘That’s for Me’?
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Shop the 2020 Hyundai Veloster N near you
N Grin Shift
The most prominent video showed the words “N Grin Shift” in the instrument panel and then a 20-second countdown. What is it? According to Hyundai, it “increases torque by 7%, from 36.0 to 38.5 kilogram-force meters, by allowing turbocharger overboost and maximizes transmission response for 20 seconds — performance that is certain to induce ‘driver grin.’” For those of us who measure torque in pounds-feet, that’s 260 to 278.
N Power Shift
This feature engages when the Veloster N accelerates under at least 90% throttle — in other words, when you really mash the gas. It helps mitigate torque loss during upshifts, giving drivers “a responsive feeling of dynamic acceleration when shifting.”
N Track Sense Shift
Want to drive like a professional racecar driver? Well, the Veloster N wants to drive like a professional racecar. It does so by analyzing road and driving conditions to determine when “dynamic driving” is appropriate, then adjusts gear selection and shift timing automatically.
More From Cars.com:
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- 2020 Hyundai Veloster: Reshuffled Ingredients, Similar Dough
Sporty Seats, Lighter Load
OK, this one doesn’t have anything to do with the new automatic transmission, but the 2020 Veloster N can also be optioned with new performance bucket seats. The thinner seats are covered in Alcantara faux suede, save more than 4 pounds of weight compared with the standard seats and come with a nifty light-up N logo just below the head restraints.
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