Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster

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.