Hyundai Veloster: A Hell of a Looker

Hyundai veloster is a compact sport coupe set to begin sales in the summer of 2011. It was released on January 10, 2011, at the Detroit auto show, and will fill the void left when Hyundai discontinued the Tiburon after the 2008 model year. Hyundai states the production model is to receive a direct-injected 1.6 liter 138 hp, 123 abaft (167 N•m) (@ 4,850 rpm) torque, 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed manual gearbox is standard while a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters is also available as an option. The DCT transmission is developed by Hyundai and is the first dual-clutch transmission from the company. For some markets like the Middle East, Hyundai veloster is offered without GDI making 128hp. A turbocharged version will be available later on.

The Hyundai veloster is different from many competitors such as Nissan Morano , as it has one door on the driver side and two on the passenger side in U.S.-bound models. European models will have four regular doors. The Veloster will also use Hyundai’s new BlueLink system, which is similar to On Star used in GM vehicles, providing customers with automatic crash notification, vehicle diagnostics, etc. The concept, a 2+2 three-door, glass-roofed hatchback car, was unveiled by Hyundai at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show. It’s the third in a series of cars styled by the company at its Namyang Design Center in Hwaseong, Korea. Its name is a combination of the words “velocity” and “roadster”. The platform of Hyundai veloster is based on the same front wheel drive ones in Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Elantra.

From the outside the Hyundai veloster is a hell of a looker. Similar in concept to the Mini Cooper Clubman, the sporty Veloster has three doors, two on the passenger side and one bigger coupe-like door on the driver’s side. Unlike the Clubman though, the engineers at Hyundai have designed the Veloster in such a way that the door sides will switch depending on the market. This way the side in which the rear door opens will always be on the kerb side. Also the third door is a conventional door and not a suicide door like the Clubman. The car is very much portraying a sporty and aggressive look. The top of the range Veloster makes use of black contrasting colors for its front grille and rear diffuser. The rear lights are also very unique as they continue their shape into the tailgate but the actual lights themselves differ from the base model to the top spec. Daytime running lights are built into the curvy front headlights and further accentuate Hyundai’s new fluid-sculpture design language. Well proportioned wheel arches also help bolster the Hyundai veloster overall profile.