Car manufacturing is a serious business, but anyone jaded enough to say that mass-market carmakers are humourless and incapable of thinking out of the box would think again after seeing the bohemian threesome gracing these pages.
The newest “auto artist” here is the Hyundai Veloster, with an outrageous design that aims to shock. Its face mimics that of a whale shark with its mouth agape, which its “indecisive” two-plus-one door layout and bazooka-like central exhausts are sure to confound onlookers.
A more familiar sight on the road is the Volkswagen Beetle. Unlike its decidedly feminine predecessor, the current model sports more masculine lines. Although it has grown bigger than before, this “Bug” hasn’t forgotten its roots and still carries a few style elements that are a throwback to its original ancestor.
Completely forward-looking instead of otherworldly is the Nissan Juke. Like the Korean dudes who drew the Veloster, the Juke’s designers went for broke and came up with a crossover inspired by motorcycles, rally cars and scuba divers!
Which of these beatniks has the most hard-to-beat combination of fun and funkiness? Let the funky beat begin…
The Hyundai Veloster scores highly for its outlandish exterior and equally “Gangnam” interior, but its driving characteristics are less exciting than expected. Still, the Veloster looks like nothing else on the road, while its part-coupe, part-hatchback design offers both desirability and practicality.
The VW Beetle offers a more engaging drive experience than the Hyundai, and a stronger feel-good factor behind the wheel. But the post-modern Bug design, while retro and chic, lacks the eccentricity that would endear it to quirky petrolheads.
Emerging ahead in this Bohemian shoot-out is the Nissan Juke. With a design that makes people wonder “What the hell is this?!” even after they’ve gotten into the car, and armed with the ability to deliver enthusiast-pleasing performance, the Juke is the most attractive turbo toy in this story. When it comes to fun-and-funky motoring, you’ve just got to groove to the beat of the Juke.
SPECIFICATIONS
Hyundai Veloster Turbo 1.6 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1591cc
BORE X STROKE 77mm x 85.4mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.5:1
MAX POWER 186bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 142bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 8.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 214km/h
CONSUMPTION 13km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 174g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Hankook Ventus Prime
SIZE 215/40 R18
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4220mm
WIDTH 1790mm
HEIGHT 1339mm
WHEELBASE 2650mm
KERB WEIGHT 1310kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.4m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $158,999
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Loudest exterior design, friendliest dynamics, “bassiest” hi-fi system
– Lowest headroom, languid drivetrain, some issues with ergonomics
* BEST OF THE THREE IN HANDLING
SPECIFICATIONS
Nissan Juke Turbo 1.6 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1618cc
BORE X STROKE 79.7mm x 81.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.5:1
MAX POWER 190bhp at 5600rpm
MAX TORQUE 240Nm at 2000-5200rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 145.6bhp per tonne
GEARBOX CVT
with 6-speed override
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 7.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 200km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.3km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 193g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Yokohama DB Decibel E70
SIZE 215/55 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 4
TRACTION AIDS ABS, VDC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4135mm
WIDTH 1765mm
HEIGHT 1570mm
WHEELBASE 2525mm
KERB WEIGHT 1305kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $158,800
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Most alien-like form, craziest cabin, punchy powertrain
– Lacklustre steering, thirstiest engine, smallest cargo hold
* BEST OF THE THREE IN PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1390cc
BORE X STROKE 79mm x 81.4mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10:1
MAX POWER 160bhp at 5800rpm
MAX TORQUE 240Nm at 1500-4500rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 122.6bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 8.3 seconds
TOP SPEED 207km/h
CONSUMPTION 16.1km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 143g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Continental ContiSportContact 3
SIZE 235/45 R18
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESP
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4278mm
WIDTH 1808mm
HEIGHT 1486mm
WHEELBASE 2537mm
KERB WEIGHT 1305kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.8m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $159,300
(after $5k CEVS rebate)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Likeable styling, highest fuel efficiency, quickest transmission
– Least comfy backseat with trickiest access, obtrusive subwoofer
* BEST OF THE THREE IN DESIGNER APPEAL
