Hyundai unveils the 2012 Veloster in Detroit

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is making its world debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. This new cutting-edge three-door coupe features a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, bringing innovation to the compact coupe segment.

The design of the Veloster has been inspired on a high-performance sport bike. With distinctive black A-pillars, the Veloster’s glass has a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. At the front it features Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights.

At the back the Veloster is dominated by a distinctive glass hatch, dual centered chrome exhaust tips and black lower fascia that complement the front end.

The interior is also inspired on motorbikes. For example the center stack and controls seems like a sport bike fuel tank and incorporate an available push-button starter. The air vents have drawn inspiration from motorcycle tailpipes, with the floor console resembling a seat of a bike.

Combining the style of a coupe and the functionality of a hatchback, the Veloster has been added with an additional passenger-side door, whose handle has been hidden in order to keep the coupe design. This extra-door provides safe and easier access to the rear seats.

The Veloster is powered by the all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). The powertrain produces maximum 138 hp at 6,300 rpm and torque of 167 Nm at 4,850 rpm.

“Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions,” said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. “Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway.”

The engine featured in the Veloster has been matted with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an all-new, six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) developed by Hyundai.