Detroit Auto Show 2011: Hyundai Veloster – Between Gorgeous And Controversial

Hyundai Veloster had its world premiere at Detroit Auto Show 2011. The new model comes with a bold design, wanting to step on Coupe’s trails.

After Hyundai tortured the public with a series of teaser and a lot of spy shots, the Korean automaker have unveiled today the first pictures of the new Veloster, a coupe that everyone expects both in US and Europe. Hyundai Veloster is 166 inches long and 70 inches wide and can boast about a total weight of only 2,584 lbs.

Although some criticized Hyundai for the design of some of their models currently in their line-up, it seems that this time the Koreans tried something new and bold. The designers draw a completely unusual line fore the rear of Hyundai Veloster, where the glass roof and the small rear window are a whole.

The frontal look of Hyundai Veloster impresses by the lines of the headlights but also by the a lot more aggressive front bumper. Of course the traditional front grill is there, reminding us that Veloster is a Hyundai. But the details that attracted us are the nice spoiler with incorporated brake light, the twin trapezoidal exhaust and the rear diffuser.

The doors opening system is also innovative. Hyundai Veloster comes with only one rear door, on the right side, with a classical opening system, and not suicide of for Mazda RX-8 and Mini Clubman. The aesthetic package is completed by many types of rims, of 17 and 18 inches.

The sporty looks of Hyundai Veloster’s body has not a worthy match under the hood, the Koreans installing for the beginning a 1.6-liter engine developing 140 HP. The freshly developed engine features direct injection and is capable of offering 123 lb-ft of torque at 4,850 rpm. The bright side is that the Korean automaker announces a highway fuel mileage of 39 mpg.

The new Hyundai Veloster will introduce to hew double-clutch DCT transmission, with six gears, which can include the manual gearbox that comes as stock.

The first infos announce a pretty accessible price for the new Hyundai Veloster. For the US market a price tag of under $20,000 is rumored, and for the European one, a price around 15,500 euros.