Hyundai CEO Krafcik on production Veloster: "Think of it like a four-passenger Honda CRX"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, Hyundai

2007 Hyundai Veloster concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last February, we revealed that a production version of the Hyundai Veloster was in the works and would likely hit the market as a late 2011 or 2012 model. At the time, we were hoping for a modern reincarnation of the classic Honda CRX, and it seems like Hyundai may be answering our calls.

Speaking to Inside Line, Hyundai of America's President and CEO John Krafcik says the new machine will look 70% to 80% like the Veloster concept that we saw firsthand at the LA Auto Show in 2007, and it will feature some sort of unique styling element. Says Krafcik, "It might be doors or a unique roof or something with the hatch. But it won't be like anything out there before in the small car segment."

Krafcik goes on to say the car will be significantly smaller than the firm's own Genesis Coupe (not to mention the Kia Forte) and it will be powered by a 1.6-liter four-banger fortified with direct injection that will offer up 140 horsepower while returning over 40 miles per gallon.

"Think of it like a four-passenger Honda CRX. It'll be a little car you can take out and wring its neck and still get good mileage," he said. "Fun and economical, with a great power-to-weight ratio." Sounds like a winner. All that's left to figure out is the car's name, which may or may not end up being either Veloster or Tiburon.

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

[Source: Inside Line]

Hyundai CEO Krafcik on production Veloster: "Think of it like a four-passenger Honda CRX" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More details emerge about Hyundai's Veloster-like Tiburon replacement

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, Hyundai, South Korea

Hyundai Veloster Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

With the Genesis Coupe coming into its own, the handwriting has been on the wall for Hyundai's front-drive Tiburon. Confirming what we first reported back in February around the Chicago Auto Show, the Korean automaker has now told AutoWeek that it plans to introduce a new model based on the 2007 Veloster coupe concept - a model that it hopes will capture a different demographic than the outgoing Tiburon.

John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's CEO, has let slip that the car probably won't be badged Tiburon, and it will be at once smaller and less expensive than that car, occupying what the company is describing as an "eco-sport" marketing position.

The Tiburon's replacement will be based off the same front-wheel drive architecture that underpins the Accent and Elantra, packing a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and taking its design cues from the Veloster concept shown at the Seoul Motor Show in 2007. The Scion tC fighter is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and could find its way to U.S. shores in 2011 as a 2012 model.

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

[Source: AutoWeek]

More details emerge about Hyundai's Veloster-like Tiburon replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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