Uh, I’m in the US too. The compromise I’m referring to is the Veloster N is less practical than the identically-performing i30 N. Same applies when comparing the Scirocco to the GTI. The Scirocco isn’t any faster. It just looks more interesting.

I’m sure like any other performance-oriented turbo car there’s a large aftermarket. But at least in most circles, the number of people going so far as to build their motors is a much smaller subsection of people than those who stick with bolt-ons and tunes. Especially when you’re talking about someone taking an RS and…

My local Hyundai dealer promises you’ll have a great experience! 😉

My whole point is that the i30 body style is much more useful day to day with a bigger back seat and much better rear visibility. The appeal of hot hatches to me is the mix of performance and practicality. Both the Veloster and Scirocco compromise practicality for looks. Which is fine, but in the US the Veloster is…

I agree the Veloster is a stupid form factor which is why I like the i30 N better and would’ve preferred Hyundai bring it to the US instead of making the Veloster the first N vehicle here.

I grew up in the DC burbs in Maryland and went to Wisconsin for college. I remember coming home from orientation the summer before my freshman year and telling my mom how shocked I was that most random people crossing your path not only acknowledge your presence but actually say hello, and everyone is always holding…

The i30 N and Veloster N both roast the GTI for equivalent money.

Well, for one thing, I already have a cool car that’s not broken (at the moment)...

The Veloster N and i30 N, especially with the performance package, runs circles around the GTI. The Veloster N is in the same price bracket as the GTI, but the trade-off between them is the GTI is much more practical. With the i30 N there's no such trade-off. 

I think the Veloster looks fine. But like you, I’d prefer all the fun N stuff to be available on a body shape that’s more usable day to day. Aside from the back seat, the rear visibility on the Veloster is trash, and I hate that. To me, a large part of the appeal of a hot hatch (or sedan) is the practicality. With a…

The US is also getting the Elantra GT N-Line. It’s replacing the Elantra GT Sport.

Nope, you haven’t, it’s just the Focus Active is so un-memorable that I totally forgot it had become a victim of tiny-handed pettiness. 

Oh, whoops, I forgot about that. I guess we can thank someone for that decision.

Yeah and what fraction of a % of customers are buying these things fully build up the motor?

Technically the substitute Ford will be offering us is the Focus Active, a.k.a. “well, Subaru sells a shitload of Crosstreks so we’ll make one too!”

Damn, it’s like an LSD and adaptive shocks are becoming table stakes for hot hatches, and yet we don’t get the good ones. First Hyundai sticks us with the doofy Veloster N instead of the i30 N, and yeah we already knew the non-Crosstrektified version of the Focus wouldn’t come here but this just stings. 

Apparently the market for “I need to replace my aging Chrysler Sebring convertible with something similar” customers is a small one.

Obligatory:

I grew up in DC, moved to Wisconsin for college, stuck around for many years afterward during which I met my wife, and then moved back to DC a couple years after we got married. I know I have to be really nice to her, lest I wind up in the DC dating market. Well, also because I just should be nice to her, of course.…

The motor is likely shared with the new X2 M35i. Hopefully it also gets the front LSD from that car.