Automotive Engineering - April 2019 - 8

WHAT WE'RE

DRIVING

2019 Toyota Tundra
TRD Pro

Suzuki Vitara SZ5
Allgrip

2019 Hyundai Veloster
R-Spec

Toyota pickups fitted with gonzo oversize
tires, long-travel suspensions and M1
Abrams-quality skid plates have been
part of the U.S. off-roading scene since
before "Ironman Ivan" Stewart won the
Baja 1000 in 1993. His victory ride was
developed by TRD, the automaker's U.S.
race-engineering group, whose work is
manifest in 2019 TRD versions of Tundra,
Tacoma and 4Runner production models.

For North American readers of this column, its title could be, in the
case of Suzuki's latest turbocharged and
all-wheel-drive (AWD) Vitara compact
SUV, "What you are missing."
It's been six years since Suzuki
stopped importing cars to the U.S. as
sales dropped to an unsustainable level,
its model range then simply not fitting
the States' needs. Times change, however, and Suzuki's range now is greatly
improved, led by the latest gasolineengine Vitara SZ5 Allgrip, which we
drove in Europe.

I can't say the Veloster-even in its faintly
less-funky, new-for-2019 second-generation skin-is a beautiful car. Unique and
sort of "tuner-bait," yes, but beautiful, no.
Dynamically, the 2019 Veloster
R-Spec is in line with the rest of the
affordable-sport-coupe class-planted
and reliably understeer-ish in fast corners, certainly better than a midsize
sedan but mostly one-dimensional.
Faintly communicative steering that
sure doesn't improve with big throttle
inputs in the lower gears.

As with the off-road-oriented pickups from other OEMs, the Tundra TRD
Pro delivers big fun on the rocks. But it
demands some compromise as a daily
driver, particularly in ride quality, unless your commute is in Colorado's San
Juan mountains.
There is peace of mind, however, in
knowing that the Pro is suspended by
Fox aluminum-bodied shocks packing
46-mm pistons and internal-bypass
valving. Those dampers combine with
TRD-tuned springs to give two extra
inches of body lift and 1.5 in. of additional wheel travel over a stock Tundra.
This set-up comes in handy for playing
Ivan in the dirt or for traversing suburban snow piles and parking-lot barriers.
But look beyond the tow hooks, hood
scoop, forged-aluminum BBS wheels
and booming TRD dual exhaust-which
evokes a vintage Chris-Craft rumble at
low rpm-and it's easy to see how badly
Toyota needs an all-new base Tundra.
The truck's driver interface and infotainment system have fallen behind those of
the Detroit 3. Ditto the 6-speed automatic-a high-torque-capacity version of
Aisin's 10-speed AWR10L65 can't come
too soon. And why no locking rear diff?
Tundra, you need more than great
fording ability to beat Ford.

Unlike some worthy but dull SUVs,
the Vitara Allgrip is more young filly
than workhorse, with a smooth and
free-revving 103-kW (138-hp) 1.4-L gasoline 4-cylinder that indicates Suzuki
cars' links to the company's highly successful motorcycle business. The engine's IHI-supplied turbocharger is attached directly to the cylinder head and
the exhaust manifold is incorporated
into the cylinder head casting.
Curb weight including all options
(there is a front-wheel-drive version) is
a modest 1265 kg (2789 lb), so the car
feels plenty lively, the sensation complemented by its optional 6-speed Aisin
automatic transmission and 162 lb·ft
(220N·m) torque spread from 1500 rpm
through 4000 rpm.
The Vitara Allgrip's AWD has auto,
sport and snow settings, differential
lock and hill hold and descent controls.
Ride quality is good and handling fits
the car's exuberant performance, although steering is somewhat light for
European tastes. What matters, though,
is that the Vitara gets high marks as a
total package.

The Veloster's new independent rear
suspension (IRS) delivers enhanced suppleness and cornering/ride refinement,
but doesn't do much for the understeer
that defines the handling of just about
every front-drive sport coupe.
The Veloster R-Spec's 1.6-L turbocharged 4-cyl. is a pleasure: elastic and
uncomplaining, although a power peak at
just 6,000 rpm is another aspect of this
turbo-coupe class that takes some fun off
the table. But the 201-hp Gamma is plenty punchy in the midrange and its flexibility means you don't have to overuse the
standard (and only) 6-speed manual
transmission, even if its action has been
enhanced, Hyundai said, by short-shift
specialist B&M. It does seem like the 26
mpg city/33 highway figures could be a
little better, though, for 1.6 liters.
Hyundai's got plenty of good going
on here with the second generation of
its high-value sport coupe: willing engine and satisfying manual transmission, reliable handling, a useful (and
unique) 3-door package, agreeable interior furnishings and a healthy list of
standard equipment. The Veloster
R-Spec is a lot of entertaining car for
less than $24,000.

Lindsay Brooke

Stuart Birch

Bill Visnic

8 April 2019

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

Automotive Engineering - April 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive Engineering - April 2019