Ah, the affordable sports coupe, a market segment that thrived in the ‘80s and pretty much died soon after the year 2000. Sporty coupes priced at $20,000 are few and far between these days, so Hyundai figures there’s potential for their new Veloster, to be inserted below the Genesis Coupe.
It features a MINI Cooper Clubman-like passenger-side rear door, but this third door opens conventionally. This facilitates access to the rear seats and makes the car more practical when you decide to bring a couple of buddies along for the ride. The front doors are of unequal length; the one on the passenger side is narrower to make room for the rear door.
The Veloster’s cabin boasts a total volume of 2,543 litres, slightly more than in a Scion tC and slightly less than in a Kia Forte Koup. Cargo space is rated at 439 litres with the rear seat up. Again, better than in the Scion.
Where Hyundai’s new front-drive sportster shines less is under the hood. A 1.6-litre, direct-injected inline-4 produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque, the same engine found in the new-for-2012 Accent subcompact. Still, its power-to-weight ratio sits between the tC’s and the Honda CR-Z’s.
Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and—new for Hyundai—a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. Equipped with the latter, the Korean brand claims a highway fuel economy rating of 40 US mpg, or 5.9 L/100 km. Using a fuel economy scoring system called Eco Coach, Veloster owners can log onto www.myhyundai.com and compare their numbers between themselves.
Other mechanical components include an independent front suspension, a torsion beam rear suspension, hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes as well as two sets of alloy wheels and tires: standard P215/45HR17 and optional P215/40VR18.
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| The 2012 Veloster should arrive this fall at a price that has yet to be announced. (Photo: Hyundai) |
It features a MINI Cooper Clubman-like passenger-side rear door, but this third door opens conventionally. This facilitates access to the rear seats and makes the car more practical when you decide to bring a couple of buddies along for the ride. The front doors are of unequal length; the one on the passenger side is narrower to make room for the rear door.
The Veloster’s cabin boasts a total volume of 2,543 litres, slightly more than in a Scion tC and slightly less than in a Kia Forte Koup. Cargo space is rated at 439 litres with the rear seat up. Again, better than in the Scion.
Where Hyundai’s new front-drive sportster shines less is under the hood. A 1.6-litre, direct-injected inline-4 produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque, the same engine found in the new-for-2012 Accent subcompact. Still, its power-to-weight ratio sits between the tC’s and the Honda CR-Z’s.
Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and—new for Hyundai—a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. Equipped with the latter, the Korean brand claims a highway fuel economy rating of 40 US mpg, or 5.9 L/100 km. Using a fuel economy scoring system called Eco Coach, Veloster owners can log onto www.myhyundai.com and compare their numbers between themselves.
Other mechanical components include an independent front suspension, a torsion beam rear suspension, hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes as well as two sets of alloy wheels and tires: standard P215/45HR17 and optional P215/40VR18.
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| Other mechanical components include an independent front suspension, a torsion beam rear suspension and an hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering. (Photo: Hyundai) |