DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai Veloster N ruled out for Oz

Hyundai’s bourgeoning N division has delivered its second performance model: the Veloster N.

Revealed at the Detroit motor show overnight, the wicked-up coupe-cum-hatchback follows in the wheel tracks of the upcoming i30 N due for Australia.

Not surprisingly, the two share key underbody components including an identically tuned 2.0-litre turbo-four producing 202kW and 353Nm. Like the i30, the Veloster N goes into bat for driving purists by being offered solely with a six-speed manual transmission with a downshift rev-matching feature.

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The bigger revelation is that, unlike the i30, the Veloster N is not bound for Australian showrooms. Hyundai will instead make do with the regular i30 N hot hatch and the i30 N Fastback. For now.

“Currently it's for domestic markets, South Korea and the US only. They're different markets, neither are big hot hatch markets like Australia,” explained Hyundai Australia spokesman Bill Thomas.

“It's still under review, and it’s unlikely to come here. The issue is right-hand drive production. It's left-hand drive only for that car at the moment and it's not an easy thing to resolve.”

Hyundai proudly promotes its Namyang global R&D centre in South Korea as the birthplace of Veloster N, but says the car has been honed extensively on Germany’s Nurburgring. Production of the new model will commence in Ulsan, Korea, later this year.

Sitting over and above existing Veloster Turbo updated for 2019 and due for Australia, the N version differentiates itself with a re-worked front fascia and grille bringing greater brake cooling.

N-design side sills flank 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres. Further back, the Veloster’s raked-back roofline is clad in a larger N-design rear spoiler. A dual outlet high-flow exhaust with a multi-mode actuator is surrounded by a stylish integrated diffuser.

Changes extend to the Veloster N’s interior, including sports seats, steering wheel, shift knob and an N-themed instrument cluster.

Quicker steering response, better power-down and improved chassis control herald the N’s renewed dynamic focus, brought about by a revised rack-mounted steering system, electronically-controlled limited-slip front differential and rear strut brace, among other features.

Larger front and rear brake rotors round out the N’s performance credentials.

“I think it's unlikely but if there's any way we can get it, I think there's certainly a strong proportion of people in the business who'd like to see it,” Thomas conceded.

“It adds extra glitter to the N car range. We'd like to get a gauge on reaction for it, and getting it made in right hand drive is not a simple matter.

“We're researching it, we're looking at it.”