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Millen to rally new Hyundai Veloster
It will be one of the most exciting new cars to come to New Zealand this year – and already there is a hot rally version, with a Kiwi connection.
Hyundai’s radical Veloster coupe, the futuristic 2-litre four-cylinder sports sedan, is being race-converted in the USA by motorsport legend Rhys Millen.
Son of expat Kiwi motorsport legend Rod, Rhys ‘Mad Skills’ Millen will fly a 500hp (373kW) all-wheel-drive Veloster in Red Bull colours in the Summer X Games during this year’s US Rallycross Series.
“This new Veloster is a perfect fit for rallycross,” said the Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai New Zealand, Tom Ruddenklau.
“It’s all about fun, excitement and performance.”
“As an entirely new model in the Hyundai lineup, the 2012 Veloster is a playful, fun-to-drive car and thanks to Rhys Millen and his team we’re excited to introduce it to racing fans ahead of its planned launch.”
It’s intended that some of the performance breeding from the Veloster rallycross program will have a role in the development of future models.
“We are very much looking forward to landing the Veloster in New Zealand – fans here will be amazed,” promised Mr Ruddenklau.
World Champion Rhys Millen already pilots the Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the Formula DRIFT Championship. His CV includes movie stunt driving; multiple drifting championships, a Pikes Peak world record, and his 2008 New Year's Eve Las Vegas truck flip at Red Bull: New Year. No Limits.
A rallycross sees five rally-style cars start at once, jumping and sliding on a pavement and gravel road course of jumps, unbanked turns, dirt and bitumen.
Millen is teaming with Hyundai to construct two further Veloster rally cars.
One will be a shared ride between rally champion Marcus Dodd and world record freestyle motorcycle star Robbie Maddison; the other will contest the 2WD class with celebrity drivers.