UPDATE: Check out the production version of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster that debuted at the 2011 Detroit Auto show.
It's still wearing heavy camo, but this 2012 Hyundai Veloster prototype spotted in Michigan this week shows us something pretty important: a rear access door on the passenger side -- a la Mini Cooper Clubman.
The door is just a bulge under the camouflage, but notice, too, that the main passenger door is pretty short given the length of the car. Then, make the jump and check out the driver side of the car. The driver door is much longer, leaving no room for an access door on this side of the Veloster.
Spy photographers also managed to grab a quick shot of the interior of the 2012 Veloster. It's a typical looking Hyundai interior, but do take note of the navigation system and keyless start -- significant items to find in an Accent-sized warm hatch priced around the $20,000 mark. Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik told us a few months back that the central screen would be standard fare in the Veloster regardless of whether you pay extra for navigation functionality.
Krafcik also told us the Veloster would use a direct-injected, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making around 140 horsepower, and not coincidentally, Hyundai just introduced its Gamma 1.6-liter GDI engine in Beijing. Hyundai has indicated that the engine can be turbocharged and equipped with a dual-clutch automated manual gearbox -- perhaps the latter is key to the 40-mpg EPA fuel economy rating Krafcik has claimed for the Veloster.
It's still not clear that this car will even be called the Veloster, but whatever the final name ends up being, you'll see this hatchback at Hyundai dealers in late 2011.
rollk says:
03:15 PM, 04/26/10
Late 2011?? The car looks nearly complete, a year & a half seems like a long time... Early 2011 would make more sense
jguan says:
04:52 PM, 04/26/10
Rear discs? Count me in!
the_driver3 says:
05:22 PM, 04/26/10
Really looking forward to this one. With all of Toyota's problems the FT86 doesn't really interest me anymore. Honda's CRZ seems nice too, but it only has 2 seats in the U.S. spec.
jscion says:
07:40 PM, 05/20/10
This car takes me back to the days of the Toyota Paseo, Mazda MX-3, Nissan NX, Nissan Sentra Liftback Coupe and Honda CRX. Hyundai's making the right move with this car. I would buy a sporty, small yet economical sports coupe. Those other auto makers I've just mentioned should consider reserecting these small coupes. I used to own an '87 Sentra Liftback Coupe and it was my favorite car ever. I'm definately getting ready to trade in my Scion XA for one of these.
2989 says:
09:15 PM, 05/31/10
The best part is that this isn't going to be one of those dreaded hybrids, like the CR-Z. Kudos to Hyundai.
dfschim says:
06:05 PM, 06/20/10
140 HP sounds like the first generation Tiburon.
double_duece says:
10:56 PM, 09/12/10
I'm actually really eager to see how this car turns out. Hyundai/Kia is doing a fantastic job of coming out with new, interesting product that really make you forget about a Honda or Toyota. I'd totally check out this Veloster, especially if the turbocharge it