The Veloster is one head turning car. When launched to the Australian market it was unknown if people would like the one door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger, but as it’s showing with sales, Australians love it. Hyundai Australia revealed last week a new concept that will just about snap your next as you see it. In conjunction with a local aftermarket modification company Concord Customs, the concept makes a bold visual statement. The standard Veloster SR was pumped with so much street-cred that the list of mods fitted is almost too long to list. The design theme takes the Veloster’s muscular character lines in fearsome factory matt grey paint, and bolsters them with custom exterior finishes including a fluoro orange accent defining the side-skirts, rear diffuser and front spoiler. The illuminated front, rear side and rear splitters make a bold statement, while at the rear end a striking matt black spoiler and turbo-back twin exhausts complete the look. While the looks of the Veloster Street Concept are impressive, it goes far beyond exterior cosmetics, with significant under-bonnet and interior modifications. Open the boot of the Concept and you enter the music zone, with a PowerBass high-end audio system installation featuring a fully-integrated custom subwoofers and amplifiers providing 8650 watt sound, all basking in a hot-orange glow. “The Veloster offers the ideal platform for aftermarket interpretation and personalisation, and provides the opportunity to demonstrate the full potential of this affordable sports model,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Marketing Director Oliver Mann. “Street Concept is an excellent example of the versatility of the brand and the potential for Hyundai to reach a broader audience.” The complete list of aftermarket modifications and performance enhancements fitted to the Veloster Street Concept are as follows: ENGINE

• Custom aluminium front-mounted intercooler by Concord Customs
• Stainless steel air intake system by Concord Customs
• Monza dual-port blow off valve
• Monza stainless steel air filter
• XForce custom 3” turbo back exhaust

SUSPENSION & BRAKES

• Top stop front strut bar – top hats painted in orange
• Roll control front and rear sway bars
• Super Pro bushes
• NGM Beta-Max coil over suspension
• Painted standard callipers
• Front and rear cross drilled and slotted R1 Concept Rotors
• Engine cover custom painted in orange

INTERIOR

• Bespoke interior upholstery in fine Scottish leather supplied by Leffler Leather and Andrew Muirhead featuring perforated black and orange leather with orange stitch highlights
• Interior styling by Carl Bowerman Interiors and Concord Customs, including front and rear seats, door inserts and centre console lid design
• Orange painted grab handles and centre console trims

AUDIO & INTERIOR LIGHTING

• Audio equipment supplied by SounDesign and includes components from the PowerBass range:
• Two 2XL-1240D 900 watt subwoofers
• XTA 4140 4×140 watt amplifier
• XTA 4000D 8000 watt amplifier
• 2XL-60.3c speakers in the front doors and dash
• 6.5inch 2XL-6502 speakers in the rear door and rear panel
• 16-6ix line converter
• SounDesign – Memphis Audio wiring kit
• SounDesign – Dead Mat sound deadener
• FullRiver high capacity battery
• Custom fabricated orange hand-painted fibreglass centre, front and rear speaker panels showcasing exposed speakers featuring orange LED highlights built and installed by Concord Customs
• Custom fabricated boot installation showcasing  2 subwoofers and 2 amplifiers, accented with orange LED lights built and installed by Concord Customs
• Hand-trimmed in Alcantara and leather
• Custom parcel shelf accented with orange LED lights built and installed by Concord Customs
• Trimmed in Alcantara and leather
• Alcantera hand-trimmed A,B&C pillars and roof lining with matching boot lid pieces by Concord Customs.
• Roof mounted white LED lighting by Concord Customs
• White LED replacement globes in all internal lighting
• Luminous scuff plates
• Stainless steel Veloster garnish on driver’s seat belt extension

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

• Custom fabricated luminous acrylic side, front and rear skirts hand painted in matt black and highlighted with colour changing LED lights, by Concord Customs
• Custom Veloster luminous number plates by Concord Customs
• White HOD replacement globes in headlights
• White LED replacement globes in rear garnish

EXTERIOR

• Painted accents in orange including front splitter and fog light covers, bonnet vents, side skirts, rear diffuser lip, front and rear Hyundai badges
• Sequence fibreglass rear wing painted in matt black

WHEELS AND TYRES

• 18 x 8.5 inch  with +32 offset Tenso R V1 wheels painted in orange with 215/40/18 Tyres

Photos by Rudi Khoury  

The US designed Track’ster wowed viewers in Sydney as something new and different from Kia. The performance-oriented three-door Soul coupe concept, a hint at where next generation Soul is heading, is striking in design from the front, side and rear. Incorporating billet aluminium for the fog lamps and door handles as well as the lower valance trimmed in carbon fibre with Inferno Orange which rides just inches off the ground. With performance as the top priority, the Track’ster rolled into Sydney with a concept drivetrain sure to kick start any driving enthusiast’s heart. The design team dreamed big, but also kept their vision firmly rooted in reality. A 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine pumps 186kW to the pavement, a 66 per cent increase over that of the production Soul. Power is routed to all four wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The short-throw six-speed manual transmission is capped with a stubby spherical shift lever. The Track’ster rides on a lowered sport suspension tuned for track performance. While Kia say officially that there are no firm plans to produce the Track’ster, Kia’s head of design Peter Schreyer, speaking at the recent Paris Motor Show, said he harbored strong hopes that the striking concept model could have a production future. Photos by Rudi Khoury  

Kia has been holding back on what they are bringing to this year’s Australian International Motor Show. Now though, they have released the embargo and we can share with you what you can expect to see at the show as well as hear all about in the next few issues of ADM Drivers Torque. The brand will be showing off a new concept in the form of the Track’ster. This is Kia’s new idea of the Soul as a performance-oriented three-door coupe. This may just give the indication of where the company is going with design. The US-designed concept has a lower intake grille and is clanked by immense LED driving lights with billet aluminium surrounds. With its wide open lower month the Track’ster will sure get its mouth full of air. Being low to the ground, the concept is trimmed with carbon fibre and has a wide look body. Tucked under the rather flared guards are custom HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels that took a joint effort, Kia and HRE, to design. The 245/40×19 fronts and 185/35×19 rears are fitted with one of the best tyres in the world, Michelin. As to be expected the concept is fitted with only the best options. The front brakes are 356mm Brembo and the rotor is stopped with a six-piston calliper while the rear is 340mm disc with some not too shabby four-piston callipers. If you know the Soul range, you could be mistaken for thinking this was one. While the concept is inspired by one it is missing one vital part. The rear production doors have been removed and the front doors lengthened. They also incorporate smooth billet push-style handles while a racing-inspired billet fuel door has been used. The gaps in the rear of the side valances, side skirts as we know them, are a functional design to help cool the rear brakes. The Track’ster is 1917mm in with which is a considerate amount larger than the production Soul, 127mm more. Now you have all been wondering what Kia would put under the hood of such concept. Well they have not disappointed in this idea. The 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine will push out 186kW and is a rather impressive 66 per cent increase in power over the production Soul. Not only is there some good kW coming from this engine, it will be put the ground in an electronically controlled four wheel drive system. Chuck in a six-speed box and some lowered sport suspension that is tuned for the track and you have a decent package. Get inside and you can see the outside Inferno Orange follows you on the suede-covered racing seats. Granite Gray leather envelopes the landscape of the interior and gives off a sport yet classy feel. The sport steering wheel and door panels are also wrapped in the Granite Grey leather. The instrument panel glows in an angry red giving a sporty aggressive look and is readable with all of your normal information. The centre display includes the battery voltage and oil temperature and a large touch screen is located about the engine start/stop push-button. Behind the front seats is where Track’ster takes a significant step away from its Soul stablemate.  The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tyre well. Large panelled bins stow racing gear such as helmets, suits, gloves and tools while emergency supplies are housed within a separate and highly visible Inferno Orange container. A custom rear strut brace incorporates a quick-release handle to allow for fast wheel changes. While there are no firm plans to produce the Track’ster, Kia’s head of designer Peter Schreyer, speaking at the recent Paris Motor Show, said he harboured strong hopes that the striking concept model could have a production future. We will get more information on this concept in the coming days and see what Kia Australia have to say about this rather cool concept.  

A glimpse into the future is what Suzuki is giving when they released photos of the V-Storm 1000 adventure tourer concept. “Suzuki Motorcycles changed the adventure touring category forever when it developed the V-Strom 650 and introduced to the world an incredibly versatile, comfortable and fun-to-ride motorcycle,” said Perry Morison, General Manager, Suzuki Motorcycles. “Our two V-Stroms, the 650 and 1000, are amongst the Australia’s best-selling adventure tourers and we are very excited about the release of a concept V-Strom 1000 as it shows the future direction of this popular model and of our organisation.” The current V-Strom 1000′s engine has been totally redesigned in this concept motorcycle to focus on rider-friendliness and features a 1,000cc power plant which produces effortless acceleration along with a strong and distinctive V-Twin rumble. The slim and lightweight aluminium frame, thickly padded seat and an adjustable windscreen make the V-Strom 1000 Concept fun and easy-to-ride, whether it is cruising the streets or exploring outback roads. For enhanced rider confidence when braking, the V-Strom 1000 Concept features a performance-inspired radial mount front brake caliper and an Antilock Braking System (ABS) to ensure ultimate traction on the road in all weather conditions. The V-Strom 1000 Concept is also equipped with an advanced traction control system for enhanced sport riding, performance and the peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence. The suspension has been totally overhauled with the V-Strom 1000 Concept featuring an inverted front fork and easy-to-adjust single shock style rear suspension. Inspired by the 1988 DR750S, Suzuki’s first big adventure tourer, the V-Strom 1000 Concept features bold and distinctive styling to create an unmatched presence. The V-Strom 1000 Concept features an all-new luggage system which provides easy installation, a narrow overall width when installed and a clean look when detached.

Last week Lexus stole the show in Paris when it revealed its LF-CC coupe concept Paris International Motor Show. The concept – named the LF-CC – draws inspiration and design elements from the award-winning LF-LC concept, which debuted at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show earlier this year. The coupe design also draws influence from project LFA, with careful attention paid to aerodynamic design that combines form with function. Powered by an all-new, highly efficient 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain driving the rear wheels – the compact LF-CC demonstrates Lexus’ continued lead in the application of hybrid technology for the luxury vehicle market. The 2.5-litre, four cylinder, Atkinson cycle hybrid powerplant will also feature D4-S injection (direct and port injection), which boosts power delivery and efficiency of the engine, while aiding in the delivery of a low CO₂ emissions, targeted below 100g/km^*. Combined, the hybrid drivetrain will achieve class-leading energy efficiency, with more than 1.47kW of power produced per gram of CO₂. The drivetrain is also set to become a feature of the Lexus line-up in the future, with Lexus confirming its intent to launch the powerplant to the Lexus range in the near future. The LF-CC continues to showcase the latest evolution of the company’s unique L-finesse design language, with the boldest interpretation of Lexus’ signature ‘spindle’ grille. Framed by the bonnet lip, deep lower spoiler and powerfully projecting front guard tips, the grille mesh is encased in a deep, metal-finish surround and takes on a pronounced, 3D form. Three LED-projector headlamp designs are housed in a narrow gap between the lower and upper guard surfaces, without a conventional one-piece cover. Independent Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are fully integrated into the upper bumper surface to complete this unique new design. The broad lower guards are aerodynamically sculpted to manage the flow of air to the engine bay and front brakes. In profile, the powerful convex curve of the bonnet flows through to a steeply raked windscreen into a roofline which deliberately peaks towards the rear of the cabin to emphasise the traction available from the vehicle’s rear-wheel drive powertrain. The bodywork is stretched tight between the front and rear guards, and the rear guard is less pronounced than that of the front, reinforcing the concentration of vehicle weight over the driven wheels for maximum traction. Further developing a design form initiated on the LF-LC concept and the high-performance LFA, the sharply sculpted form of an airflow regulating fin flows from underneath the side of the car and upwards through the rear wheel arch. This aerodynamic detail is designed to increase downforce over the driven wheels, further improving traction. The airflow regulating fin merges with the falling roofline in a pronounced rear spoiler integrated within the boot lid, seamlessly fusing design and aerodynamic elements to give the vehicle its distinctive coupe proportions. To the rear, the full-width bumper seamlessly joins the rear wheel arches to emphasise the LF-CC’s broad, powerful stance. Lexus-characteristic L-shaped combination lamps feature a layered, three-dimensional design, and the lower concave bumper section incorporates a full width spoiler to further enhance rear-wheel drive traction. The rear stop lamp is integrated into the shark antenna. The LF-CC is finished in the new ‘Fluid Titanium’ exterior colour – a metallic finish with exceptionally high brilliance which combines sharp, bright highlighting with dark shaded surfaces to reinforce the powerful forms of the bodywork’s sculpted surfaces. In addition to the petrol engine and electric motor, the LF-CC hybrid drive system further comprises a generator, a high-performance battery, a power split device which, using planetary reduction gears, combines and re-allocates power from the engine, electric motor and generator according to operational requirements, and a compact power control unit to govern the high speed interaction of the system components. In a continued evolution of Lexus’ interior design, the dashboard is divided into two distinct zones: an upper Display Zone, with a multi-display screen located at an ideal distance for at-a-glance viewing; and a lower Operation Zone, which allows access to the uniquely designed shift lever and an innovative touch tracer display for remote system control. The clear division of zones creates a unique fusion of an airy, spacious cabin and a sporting cockpit which places the emphasis on a snug, highly focused driving environment. All functional driving components are consolidated in the driver’s seat surroundings, combining outstanding ergonomics with advanced HMI technologies. The driver benefits from a low, highly focused driving position with a sporting, sports steering wheel, optimum pedal placement and high-visibility instrument dials. The touch tracer display for remote system control is located directly behind the shift lever for maximum comfort and ease of operation. Speaking of the reveal, Lexus Australia Chief Executive Tony Cramb said the concept solidified Lexus’ position as the leading manufacturer of luxury hybrid vehicles. “Not only does the LF-CC cement Lexus’ position as the luxury market’s leading hybrid vehicle innovator, it makes hybrid even more desirable,” Mr Cramb said. “In the coming years Lexus will launch a new array of hybrids that will cater for a wider array of customers and LF-CC is just a taste of things to come.” During his speech at the reveal, Kiyotaka Ise, President of Lexus International said: “The LF-CC shows a further evolution of our Lexus design language in a realistic yet innovative way. “At the front, you see the boldest-yet interpretation of our spindle grille. The headlamp design features unique triple LED-projectors with daytime running lights integrated into the upper bumper to complete a highly distinctive front appearance. “Looking at LF-CC side on, the sleek profile conveys superior aerodynamic performance while also highlighting traction, agility and dynamic road presence. “At the rear, the full-width bumper flows into the rear wheel arches, emphasising LF-CC’s broad, powerful stance. “Inside the cabin, we created a highly-focused environment featuring innovative ways for the driver to interact with the vehicle – for instance, using touch displays for remote control operations. “The LF-CC is equipped with our full hybrid powertrain, featuring a brand new four-cylinder, 2.5-litre petrol engine with D4-S injection technology. “Combining dynamic performance with low emissions this powertrain will achieve class-leading energy efficiency, with more than two horsepower produced per gram of CO₂. On the LF-CC this means CO₂ emissions below 100g/km – that’s lower than any petrol or diesel engine of comparable output. “This engine will be introduced very soon in the Lexus line-up. “The design direction inspired by LF-CC will be applied to future Lexus vehicles in the D-premium segment and you won’t have to wait very long before seeing the first production vehicle. “Moreover, we can also confirm that Lexus is developing a rear-wheel-drive mid-size coupe, to be launched in the near future. “Lexus aims to become an inspirational and exciting global premium brand and we see a bold future in Europe. Lexus will introduce this new hybrid powertrain into its model range in the near future.