2012 Hyundai Veloster
There were a lot of new cars launched on the first day of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show but one of them really caught my attention – the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. I never knew that the Korean automaker was capable of making such an interesting car. This unique three-door coupe looks great from all angles and according to the press release; it will be able to do 40 mpg on the highway.
Targeted as the main rival of the Honda CR-Z Hybrid, the sexy Veloster will come with a bundle of features and gizmos that are really cool, at least some of them. As standard, the car will be offered with a generous 7-inch multi-function touchscreen display and Pandora internet radio capability. Being aimed at the young target, the car will offer video game console support through the available 115-volt power outlet. Other goodies include the virtual CD downloading, Bluetooth, AVI and MPEG support via USB and others as well.
The 2012 Veloster joins the Elantra, Equus, Sonata, Tucson and the soon-to-be-released Accent in the company’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (7 new models in 24 months). According to Hyundai, the design of this interesting three-door coupe was inspired from a high-performance sport bike. The black A-pillars are very distinctive and give the Veloster’s glass a motorcycle helmet look. Looking at the front of the car you will notice the company’s signature hexagonal front grille but this time it is more aggressive than on other models.
The LED position lights and the hood scoop detailing look very nice in my opinion. For extra money, the Veloster can be fitted with a large panoramic sunroof, fog lights, piano black highlights and a chrome grille surround. As standard, the car rolls on 17-inch alloy rims but can be fitted with two types of 18-inch wheels. One of these models (the most expensive one) is available with painted inserts which is a premiere in this segment.
2012 Hyundai Veloster
Moving inside the car, you will notice the controls and the center stack that look very much like the fuel tank of a sports bike and incorporate the push-button starter. Another inspiration from a motorcycle can be found in the design of the air vents while the floor console imitates the seat of a high-performance bike. The cabin of the Veloster comes with a bundle of metallic accents and as an additional feature, the car can feature alloy pedals, leather wrapped shift knob and steering wheel.
2012 Hyundai Veloster
More about that interesting third-door which According to the automaker, the car combines the functionality of a hatchback with the style of a coupe, while at the same time offering an additional passenger-side door. To maintain the coupe design, the handle of this third door has been hidden. This hinged door provides a very easy and ready access to the rear seats, unlike previous coupes that had rear-hinged access doors that had to be opened from the driver-side door before the rear door could be opened.
Let’s talk about the engine under the hood. The Gamma 1.6-liter 4-cylinder power unit is the smallest engine developed by Hyundai that will use the Gasoline Direct Injection technology. With the GDI, the car can offer an estimated 40 mpg rating, higher reliability and lower emissions. This unit produces 138 hp @ 6,300 rpm and 123 lb-ft. @ 4,850 rpm. This all-new engine also packs Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, Diamond Like Carbon coating, CrN Physical Vapor Deposition and a roller timing chain.
The power unit is linked to the all-new 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox which according to Hyundai is 5-6% more fuel efficient and 3-7% better in acceleration performance. For improving the fuel economy, the powertrain offers an Active Eco mode that will modify the engine as well as the transmission controls for improved fuel economy.
With an interior volume of 105.3 cubic feet, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is the most spacious car in this segment, offering more space than the Mini Clubman, Mini Hardtop, Scion tC and the previously mentioned 2011 Honda CR-Z.
The car promises to be a great fun to drive with is low curb weight of only 2,584 pounds, 400 less than the Scion tC. In order to improve the quality of the ride, the Veloster has a McPherson strut front suspension, gas shock absorbers, coil springs as well as a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer. In the back, the car was fitted with a V-torsion beam lightweight suspension with a 23 mm stabilizer bar for offering additional stiffness.
As far as the safety features are concerned, the 3-door Veloster comes with the VSM – Vehicle Stability Management system that is capable of managing the electronic stability control and the motor-driven electric power steering. The car packs six airbags: two in the front, front and rear side curtain and front seat-mounted side-impact. To stop the car, Hyundai fitted the coupe with four-wheel disc brakes that have ABS with brake assist and EBD.
The car will be offered with the Blue Link Assurance package that will include enhanced roadside assistance, SOS emergency assistance as well as automatic crash notification and assistance. The Blue Link Essentials package will offer remote access features like remote door unlock/lock, remote lights and horn, panic notification, remote vehicle start and others as well.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster will be available with one of the following colors: Boston Red, Vitamin C, 26.2 Yellow, Electrolyte Green, Marathon Blue, Ultra Black, Triathlon Gray, Ironman Silver and Century White.
Although we don’t know about the price range of this 3-door coupe, the Korean automaker is aiming towards a $17,000 price tag, very close to cars like the Honda CR-Z, Mini Cooper and the Scion tC. If it rides just as good as it looks, it will certainly be a worthy competitor in the segment, a nice surprise from Hyundai, a car manufacturer that only used to make rather boring cars. I am curios if Kia will come up with a Veloster-based model.
Post tags: Tags: Hyundai, veloster
