Hyundai jumps on the matte wagon

HYUNDAI is the latest car-maker to offer a special matte paint colour on one of its Australian models, but like your favourite old shirt, it needs to be washed with care.

Typically the province of luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Jaguar, the Korean company offers the non-gloss grey hue – dubbed Young Gun – on its quirky new Veloster SR Turbo as a $1000 option.

The asking price makes the eye-catching paint cheaper than most equivalent offerings from more premium marques.

Mercedes-Benz, for instance, offers a matte black paint called Designo Magno Night Black on its C-Class coupe for $7300, and it must be bought in conjunction with the Edition 1 styling package that can cost up to $6100.

Hyundai has also revealed it will introduce a second, darker matte grey colour option to the Veloster Turbo later this year.

The unique appearance of the Young Gun finish comes from the fact that it reflects only 20 per cent of the light that hits it, compared with up to 80 per cent for glossier paints.

But the company warns that with the head-turning looks comes extra responsibility, giving prospective buyers special instructions on how to keep their car clean and a warning to stay away from automated car washes.

Left: Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo in Chameleon Orange paint.

Hyundai urges owners to hand-wash the paint with a mild detergent or soapy water only, and to shelve polishes, waxes and harsher detergents like dishwashing liquids and those used in car washes.

This is because the matte finish does not have the traditional clear coat applied to cars, although the company says there is a special sealant that provides a modicum of protection.

Hyundai Australia senior manager of PR and events Ben Hershman told GoAuto that the company was “delighted that the media is recognising Hyundai is taking a leadership position in offering an exciting matte paint option on the new Veloster SR Turbo”.

Mr Hershman said it was unclear if the unusual paint scheme would be extended to other members of the range, such as the forthcoming extended SR performance sub-brand to be featured in concept form at the Australia International Motor Show in Sydney this October.

The new Veloster Turbo pocket rocket, which hit local showrooms this week priced from a sharp $31,990 plus on-road costs, will also be offered with a unique and exclusive orange colour called Marmalade, a ‘chameleon’ hue that changes colour depending on the visual angle.

This paint job will, like Young Gun, set buyers back an additional $1000, but will be available for a limited time only.

As we reported earlier this week, the Veloster SR Turbo is powered by a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine, and features the same quirky asymmetrical door design as its top-selling naturally aspirated stablemate.