Hyundai's Veloster concept. Photo: Marcin Cie?lak
The full details on Hyundai’s much anticipated Veloster will be released at next month’s Detroit Auto Show, but Auto Express has learned a few things in advance. First, the car will use a unique “2+1” approach to doors. The driver’s side gets a single door, while the passenger side gets both front and rear doors. This makes rear seat access easier than in a coupe, but discourages rear seat passengers from moving the driver’s seat to get out. Personally, I hate when passengers change my seat back angle, since it takes me about six months to find the right position.
Photo: Marcin Cie?lak
The Veloster will also feature design cues used on the original show car. The A pillars will be blacked out on production versions, the front fascia and hood will retain their chiseled appearance and LED lighting will be used in front and rear. Inside, the Veloster gets a large hatch area, and front seat passengers get a seven inch touchscreen display. This will serve as the Veloster’s infotainment system, and will also accept external media devices ranging from MP3 players through game systems.
Photo: Marcin Cie?lak
The Veloster will be built on the Kia Cee’d platform, and will come with two engine choices. On the low end, buyers will get a 1.6 liter, direct-injection four cylinder, good for 138 horsepower. If that’s not enough to keep you entertained, Hyundai will also build the Veloster with a a turbocharged version of the same engine, good for 205 horsepower. It looks like both models will use Hyudai’s dual clutch gearbox, which is said to increase efficiency by 5% and acceleration by 7% compared to a conventional six speed manual transmission. The Veloster is expected to go on sale by the end of 2011, with Turbo models coming after the launch of the base model.
