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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Michael Harley — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Hyundai, First Drives

Turbo Power Helps Iconoclast Make The Cut

The standard Hyundai Veloster has always reminded us of that talented freshman in high school who has everything going for him but simply lacks the strength his first year out to make the coveted varsity team.

The Veloster certainly has the looks, with unique asymmetrical four-door hatchback styling and a motorcycle-inspired interior. It also has the content, arriving with a long list of standard equipment, reasonably priced options and an impressive standard warranty. What's kept the Veloster on the JV roster, however, is what it lacks under the hood.

But things have changed between model years. The Veloster, like the scrawny kid who lifts weights all summer, has arrived for its sophomore season with a freshly toned physique and much-needed brawn. Is the new muscle enough to be competitive? How will it match up against the other players? Most important, is it enough to make the final cut?

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Ride: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

Michael Harley — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Videos, Hatchback, Hyundai, Design/Style

CEO Takes Us For A Spin In This Innovative One, Two, Three-Door

2012 Hyundai Veloster - Click above for high-res image gallery

"How about a ride in the Veloster?"

While the experience falls seriously short of taking a few orbits in the Space Shuttle, those seven words were enticing enough to motivate us to cross the dreaded Los Angeles basin during rainy rush-hour traffic last week. The Veloster is Hyundai's latest addition to a rapidly expanding lineup that now encompasses everything from the modest $12,000 Accent to the Lexus-fighting $58,000 Equus. The new hatchback - uniquely configured with one driver door and two passenger doors - is parked on the low end of the model range, promoted as a compact coupe offering fun-to-drive chassis dynamics, a long list of standard innovative technology and hybrid-beating fuel economy in one cool-looking package.

Hyundai isn't letting anyone drive the Veloster yet, but like proud parents, they are more than willing to show us around the car, from top to bottom, and take us for an extensive drive around the block - as passengers.

However, this isn't just a simple low-level meet-and-greet, as our host will be John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Understandably, we had a slew of questions swirling around our minds before our ride: How comfortable is the cabin? Do tall adults fit in the second row? What does the engine sound like? How does it handle? Lastly, why does everyone keep comparing the new Veloster to the old Honda CRX?

Continue reading First Ride: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

First Ride: 2012 Hyundai Veloster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Video: Hyundai Veloster hits the road with VW Scirocco

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Budget, Videos, Hyundai

Hyundai Veloster out testing - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Hyundai's new Veloster sports coupe (or is that Tiburon or something else?) aims to write another chapter in the book of Hyundai's relentless pursuit of market share when it launches next year, and in this latest video, we see a still heavily camouflaged prototype running around with the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco - a similarly sized sportster. Thanks for the Euro-spec comparison test idea, Hyundai.

The Veloster aims to best Stateside competitors like the Honda CR-Z in terms of fuel economy, and Hyundai is on record as saying that the new coupe should achieve more than 40 miles per gallon without any sort of hybrid powertrain. It's expected that Hyundai will have its new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, and we hope that the end result is a car that's not only efficient, but truly fun to drive.

Hit the jump to see Hyundai's sporty prototype out on the street.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via YouTube]

Continue reading Spy Video: Hyundai Veloster hits the road with VW Scirocco

Spy Video: Hyundai Veloster hits the road with VW Scirocco originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupe, Budget, Hatchback, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our ever-vigilant long-lens warriors have managed to snag a passel of photos of the new Honda CR-Z fighter from Hyundai. The little hatch has shed a portion of the camouflage we've seen in previous spy photos, giving us a clear look at some of the three-door's (or is that four-door's?) sheetmetal. Near as we can tell, the compact has kept the reverse-sloping roof of the concept car, and while that's bound make rear headroom a hot commodity, it also gives the Veloster a tie-in with the Kia Soul - its corporate cousin once removed.

Unfortunately, we didn't get an updated look at the car's interior, but it would surprise us to see anything changed from the last time our spy photographers got up close and personal with the newest Hyundai on the Veloster - and there's still some mystery about what kind of door mechanism is fitted on the passenger side.

With news that the Korean automaker has pledged to spank the CR-Z hybrid in the fuel economy game without shouldering the added cost, weight and complexity of a hybrid system, we can't wait to get our grubby little journo hands on the Veloster. Word on the web is that the car will be powered by an efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine churning out around 140-160 horsepower.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Hyundai Veloster to debut at Paris Motor Show

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Hyundai launched the Genesis coupe in 2009, we were told that it would not be a direct replacement for the outgoing Tiburon. That would be the role of the Veloster concept from 2007. We've been seeing spy shots of Veloster prototypes for several months now and if the latest reports are to be believed, it could appear in production form at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The compact front-wheel drive coupe is expected to be powered by a 1.6-liter direct injected inline-four with at least 140 horsepower. However, if the rumors are accurate, the Veloster could be available in an optional 200-hp turbocharged version. The turbo may even get a dual clutch gearbox, a first for Hyundai. Europeans are expected to get first crack at the Veloster early in 2011 while Americans will have to wait until next summer.

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster - Spy Shots

[Source: Hyundai-Blog]

Report: Hyundai Veloster to debut at Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster sneaks out, shows off interior

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's still cloaked in camo, but the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is beginning to shed its winter skin before its big reveal early next year. Not only has it gone green in the process, but details on its passenger side dual doors and interior are coming into focus.

As we've noted before, the Veloster (or possibly Tiburon) appears to share two different door designs - a traditional opening on the driver's side and a smaller passenger door possibly accompanied by another rear access opening.

Just as interesting as the dual doors, blistered fenders and the sloping hatch is the interior shot our spies managed to snag, showing a modern, triangular center stack with a five-inch LCD display and engine start button mounted low on the central panel. The three-spoke, small-diameter wheel has a sporting flavor to it, as do the deeply recessed gauges, and when the Veloster finally hits dealers late next year, expect Hyundai's recently announced 140 horsepower, 1.6-liter inline four to be underhood, with a turbocharged variant mated to a dual-clutch gearbox available a few months down the road.

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster - Spy Shots

Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster sneaks out, shows off interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster... or is that Tiburon?

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster/Tiburon - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year we learned that the Veloster was given the green-light by Hyundai's top brass and with an on-sale date sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model, work on Hyundai's new hatch is well underway.

Caught weathering the wintery climes, the camo-clad Veloster - or maybe more accurately, the next Tiburon - doesn't divulge much about the exterior styling, but compared to the concept, the grille has grown and the roofline's rake suggests that the hatch might be slightly small, or could possibly utilize a dual panel, clamshell-like opening.

Although a front-wheel drive configuration is assured, there's still plenty of speculation about how Hyundai plans to motivate the hatch. The smart money is on a detuned version of the automaker's new Theta II GDI (Gas Direct Injection) four-cylinder, which puts out 200 horsepower when fitted with the new Sonata. The Genesis Coupe's turbocharged four-pot could make an appearance and there's also talk of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder putting out around 140 hp in standard trim or turbocharged to bring output up to between 175 and 190 hp. Judging by the recent spate of spy shots, it's safe to assume that the Veloster/Tiburon is set to debut early next year before it goes on sale in the summer of 2011.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

More Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Veloster... or is that Tiburon? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: First look at 2012 Hyundai Veloster?

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Hyundai, South Korea

2012 Hyundai Veloster? - click above for high-res image gallery

Would this, could this be the new Hyundai Veloster? A little background is in order. Way back in 2007, we first saw the oddly named, smartly proportioned Veloster concept at the Seoul Auto Show. No one was quite sure what to make of the funky, chunky little front-wheel drive coupe. A Tiburon replacement? Something else entirely? Who knew? Then word came down that the Veloster was just a concept and that was seemingly the end of it.

Fast-forward two years to February of this year. Hyundai has successfully launched both the Genesis Coupe and sedan. Rumors begin circulating that the Veloster is anything but dead. Not only that, but Hyundai is claiming that it will arrive as a 2012 model in 2011. Fast forward a little more to earlier this month, and during the state of the company address at the new Tucson launch, affable president and CEO John Krafcik tells us that Hyundai is working a new 24/7 plan - seven new models in the next twenty-four months.

Rewind a bit (sorry) to July, 2009 and Krafcik told Inside Line that not only will the Veloster be coming to a dealer near you in 2011, but that the production car will look "70-80 percent" like the concept. More importantly, he advised that the new car can be thought of as a "four-passenger CRX," a car "you can take out and wring its neck and still get good mileage. Fun and economical, with a great power-to-weight ratio." We love the sound of that. And the more competition there is for Honda's upcoming CR-Z, the better.

All that said, while we're not sure where these shots were snapped, we're pretty sure that this is indeed the new sporty Hyundai. Power will probably come from a 2.0-liter version of Hyundai's new Theta II GDI (Gas Direct Injection) engine, though we doubt it will make 198 horses like the upcoming Sonata. But hey, maybe. More likely power will be in the 150-160 horse range. Also, let's not forget that the Theta II GDI will soon come with a turbo. Can you imagine? A pint-sized, two-door MazdaSpeed3 fighter from Hyundai? We shudder to think. As for the name Veloster, we hope they call it the Tiburon, too. Hat tip to Danny P!

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Prototype

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

[Source: Bobaedream.co.kr]

Spy Shots: First look at 2012 Hyundai Veloster? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Surprise! Hyundai to phase out Tiburon

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hyundai

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon.

The news came courtesy of John Krafcik, Hyundai's product development veep, who told Automotive News that the 2008 model year of the Tiburon would be its last. However, that doesn't mean the Tiburon is down for the count. Krafcik is insistent that the Genesis Coupe, which will be coming out about the same time the Tibby is euthanized, isn't a Tiburon replacement. "We are seriously looking at a small front-wheel-drive coupe to replace the Tiburon," Krafcik told AN, but he wouldn't give a time frame for its replacement. He did say that the Veloster coupe concept that debuted at the Seoul motor show last April would be the inspiration for Hyundai's new FWD, two-door offering. Hopefully, when the production version of the Veloster is unveiled, it'll carry the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot found in its RWD sibling.

Gallery: 2008 Hyundai Tiburon

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

Gallery: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe

[Source: Automotive News via Autoweek]

Surprise! Hyundai to phase out Tiburon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seoul Motor Show: Hyundai Veloster Concept swoops in

Alex Nunez — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for photo gallery

Hyundai unveiled three new vehicles at the Seoul Motor Show, and the first we'll talk about is the sporty-looking Veloster coupe concept. According to the PR materials, the Veloster has potential Gen-Y shoppers in its sights, and to be sure, it's an attractive little coupe. The trapezoidal grille opening reminds us a lot of the new Mitsubishi Lancer / Evo X, and the overall shape is similar to a number of other vehicles in this class. The roof is mostly glass, with a metal, bodywork-colored "mohawk" running through the middle. The CHMSL that's integrated into the tail end of the "mohawk" behind the rear glass is a slick touch. The triangular, shoulder-mounted taillamps and single, center exhaust outlet add some flair to the car's posterior.

Inside, a terrific-looking retro/modern interior incorporates neat features such as an iPod dock in the center console and an Engine Start button on the top of the shift knob. Power comes from a 2.0L four-cylinder that drives the front wheels via a 5-speed manual. Whether or not the study will eventually amount to anything on the consumer side is anyone's guess, but as concepts go, it's fun without being totally outlandish.

[Source: Hyundai]

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

Continue reading Seoul Motor Show: Hyundai Veloster Concept swoops in

Seoul Motor Show: Hyundai Veloster Concept swoops in originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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