2013 Hyundai Veloster to be Re-tired

No, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster isn't going anywhere—but it is going a little faster. That's because Hyundai will soon be offering Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires for both the Veloster and Veloster Turbo. Specifically, drivers will be able to select 215/40ZR18 Super Sports, wrapped around 18-inch alloy wheels, as a $1,200 option with both vehicles. The tires will be available beginning in September and deliver enhanced performance while still providing a comfortable ride that is eminently suitable for a daily driver.

"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 Hyundai's speedy response to specific buyer groups, like performance enthusiasts."

2013 Hyundai Veloster: The Super Sport Advantage

When the Pilots launch, they'll enable Turbo drivers to enjoy:

• Increased lateral-acceleration performance, thanks to the ability to reach 0.94 g on the skid pad—up from 0.82 with the Veloster Turbo's standard tires
• Improved dry braking, with a 60-0 stopping distance that shrinks from 135 ft. to 121 ft.
• Enhanced wet-braking results that shave more than 20 ft. off the stopping distance of the Veloster Turbo, which now goes from 60-0 in just 136 ft. in damp weather with its new Michelin tires

As a reminder, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster is on sale now with an MSRP that opens at $17,450 and features a 1.6-liter I4 capable of providing 138 hp, 123 lb.-ft. of torque, and EPA marks of up to 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway/32 mpg combined; the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo starts at $21,960 and boasts 201 hp, 195 lb.-ft. of torque, and an EPA line that can reach 26 mpg city/38 mpg highway/30 mpg combined.

(Note: Hyundai dealers also will offer the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires—with installation—to current Veloster owners who already have the 18-inch alloy wheels; see your local Hyundai store for more information.)