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

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.