And so this is the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Finally. And it's powered by a 138-horsepower 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder backed by a dual-clutch transmission.
Don't buy it.
Wait for the turbo. That's right, the turbo. In less than a year after this car hits the road, Hyundai will add a turbo model to the Veloster lineup. Today, Inside Line has confirmed that the a turbocharged engine, maybe even the 2.0 liter used in the Hyundai Sonata, will become an option on the Veloster.
That engine makes 274 hp in the Sonata and 269 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough to give the front-wheel-drive Veloster claim to Pocket Rocket status. Some expect a detuned version to power the Veloster. Remember, the turbocharged Genesis Coupe is only packing 210 hp.
But, really, our money is on a turbo version of Hyundai's direct injected 1.6 liter, which they say is rated at 175 hp in the Curb Concept unveiled today.
Whatever. Wait for the boost. It'll be the one to have.
throwback says:
12:30 PM, 01/10/11
I have to see this in the metal before pasing judgement on the styling. It is certainly unique, and if well equiped it comes in below 20K, they will sell a lot of them.
sabastian says:
12:30 PM, 01/10/11
A Hyundai on my shortlist? Yup, it just happened.
gotak says:
12:48 PM, 01/10/11
It's a bit much this particular design. Sure it looks great in photos but I can't help but notice rear visibility is horrible. That and it looks a bit small for rear passenger. Sure not the most important thing for this class especially considering the price. 274 HP on this car would be like another mazdaspeed 3 but maybe cheaper. I doubt it would have that much power on tap though when it makes it to the show room.
akitadog says:
12:50 PM, 01/10/11
No one believes in rear visibility anymore. That mailslot rear window and GINORMOUS C-pillars conspire to ensure you become destitute by being sued after running over somebody/something when backing up.
No, that glass roof over the 2nd row doesn't cut it. No one can see up out of that through the rear-view mirror.
akitadog says:
12:55 PM, 01/10/11
No one believes in rear visibility anymore. That mailslot rear window and GINORMOUS C-pillars conspire to ensure you become destitute by being sued after running over somebody/something when backing up.
No, that glass roof over the 2nd row doesn't cut it. No one can see up out of that through the rear-view mirror.
akitadog says:
12:56 PM, 01/10/11
No one believes in rear visibility anymore. That mailslot rear window and GINORMOUS C-pillars conspire to ensure you become destitute by being sued after running over somebody/something when backing up.
No, that glass roof over the 2nd row doesn't cut it. No one can see up out of that through the rear-view mirror.
mkvgti says:
12:56 PM, 01/10/11
hell no. Dont wait for the veloster..the best hatches are already out. The gti and mazdaspeed3 will never be outdone by this veloster. Hyundai doesnt know how to get the power to the ground with their turbo 4 so even a 264hp veloster would be surpassed of course by the ms3 but even the "only" 200hp gti would beat it performance wise. Guess we will have to see what tune the veloster will get and track results. I laughed when i saw the veloster and the report that a turbo will be available.
lzschneider says:
01:04 PM, 01/10/11
Yes, this is the news that I wanted to hear! C'mon, Hyundai, keep up the good news and be sure to back that shit up.
blueguydotcom says:
01:20 PM, 01/10/11
AFAIK, the 2.0 in the Genesis Coupe is not the same engine as the 2.0T in the Sonata.
eldaino2 says:
01:31 PM, 01/10/11
Considering how 'sporty' hyundais offerings are, its going to be interesting to see what this car will do with so much power.
But a looker it ain't.
stovt001 says:
01:56 PM, 01/10/11
I like the looks, like the DCT (but hopefully also have the option of a manual), and like the potential for the turbo, but don't like the visibility. Still, I'll absolutely be taking a closer look at this one.
moparbad says:
03:06 PM, 01/10/11
Like what I see.
dg0472 says:
04:07 PM, 01/10/11
@blueguydotcom
Well they're both the Theta II engine, but only the Sonata has GDI.
rod_stewart says:
05:42 PM, 01/10/11
"Don't buy it."
How do you know? Have you even driven the regular Veloster, Scott Oldham?
For Chrissakes.
-Rod
blueguydotcom says:
09:39 PM, 01/10/11
Um...I didn't see it mentioned here but this thing has a torsion beam rear axle. Bummer. Seemed like a nice little car until I read that elsewhere.
lostboyz says:
03:31 AM, 01/11/11
overstyled
johnnyr3 says:
04:23 AM, 01/11/11
IF they put the 2.0 liter turbo in there that'll be good and all, but probably won't happen - 175hp motor talked about here seems more likely. Yet, I feel like a the 200 horse 2.4 that's in the base Sonata would be outstanding; enough to get it to 60 in the 6/7 second range while still delivering decent economy.
What happened to the 200~ horse compacts from the '90s? There's just the Civic Si and GTI now. Otherwise, it's either something between 130~ to 160~ or something ratcheted up 260 or more.
fuel_on_fire85 says:
06:20 AM, 01/11/11
mkvgti:
I'm with you dude, I'm a huge fan of the MS3 and the GTI, but that really isn't a comparison. They will of course drive better and be faster. They have true independent rear suspension (the veloster has a torsion beam rear axle).
They also will have a sticker price of about 4,000 above the veloster. I see the turbo veloster starting at about 20,000. The GTI and MS3 start at about 24,000. Thats a twenty percent price increase.
1487 says:
07:11 AM, 01/11/11
its a niche model that will sell less than 25k units a year. Odd styling but it seems many people love anything Hyundai throws out these days so I'm sure it will have fans. Hyundai styling is never understated or graceful, its always a matter of trying too hard. This is no exception.
blueguydotcom says:
07:22 AM, 01/11/11
Someone mentioned putting the 2.4 in this car...that'd make it obscenely nose-heavy. Already it's gonna be weighted toward the front but you toss in an engine that much bigger and you're gonna get a little piggy in the handling.
ed124c says:
10:09 AM, 01/11/11
"many people love anything Hundai throws out these days...Hyundai styling is never understated or graceful"
I would think that the Sonata, which I consider to be a beautiful automobile, would not have the popularity it has without the swoopy styling. Nobody would have put the Sonata on their radar if the new one looked like an Accord or Camry, nor would they have salivated over the 200 HP engine. Style sells.
leechget says:
08:04 PM, 01/14/11
i'm thinking this as my next car purchase and never owned a Korean car b4.
Non-turbo avail for sale this summer 2011...has any1 got more definitive date? Turbo date? panoramic GLASS-roof AND sun/moonroof (is it sliding or popped-up?) will make it to US-spec'ed? is this classified as a sport car (insurance might/might not kill me)?
Korean cars, r they long-term reliable/dependable? can current and past owners speak about ur experience please, especially Hyundai's but Kia's too
generally speaking, turbo and supercharged engines are long-term reliable? what about DCT transmission? DCT fun to drive meaning is the self-involvement-thing-factor taken or much minimized?DCT+paddle shifters put some fun back?
is this the kind of engine for the Veloster? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_direct_injection......
can any1 confirm this is the first engine of the Veloster kind http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_300SL#First_direct_injection
THANKS FOR ANSWERING AS MUCH OF THESE AS U CAN/ANY1 ANSWERING AS MUCH OF THESE AS U CAN
leechget says:
08:14 PM, 01/14/11
ooops, that first link should be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_direct_injection (screwed up in my HTML)
leechget says:
08:18 PM, 01/14/11
ANOTHER link...but still SAME engine kind as in Veloster? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_injection#Petrol.2Fgasoline_engines
hako says:
05:11 PM, 02/ 4/11
I think the turbo is a great move, and bring in some buyers that want more muscle, but many peeps won't care. If a car is fun to drive, gets excellent gas mileage, and has cutting edge tech and safety gadgets, all the major boxes have been checked. I am considering buying one, and may wait for a turbo, but not sure it matters. I'm a lot more relaxed behind the wheel these days, and I value handling more than straight-out acceleration. @ leechget.......I own an '09 Accent SE hatch, which I love. It is just two years old this month, and is solid a rock.....no problems, no rattles, no issues. I wouldn't worry about buying a Hyundai, despite their amateurish reputation in the past....they have all the basics down now.