Hyundai Eco-Sport Car On The Way
The Hyundai Veloster Concept, which premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show back in 2007, will provide the base for a new “Eco-Sport” car to be released in the 2011 or 2012 model year. Hyundai representatives say that about 70-80% of the concept’s styling and architecture will be incorporated into the new model, which promises quick, nimble driving with 40+ mpg.
Hyundai has recently been making waves in the sports car world with their brand new Genesis coupe, which comes in either a 3.8-liter V6 or 2.0-liter turbocharged straight four-cylinder engine option. The Veloster-based sports car will be much smaller than these two and be powered by a 1.4-liter I4 with an estimated output of around 140 horsepower (the Genesis Coupe has 306 horsepower for the V6 and 210 for the I4). The car will also be very light, as Hyundai is counting on a lower weight to give a sportier power-to-weight ratio. This will provide good handling and even better fuel economy, with a target of 40 mpg.
The philosophy Hyundai is adapting with the Veloster is “Why can’t a car be ridiculously fun to drive, and be economical?” When the Veloster Concept was first unveiled, many believed it to be the future replacement for Hyundai’s Tiburon compact sports car, which also had a 1.6-liter I4 as an engine option. Hyundai has yet to confirm whether the Veloster Concept-based car will be branded the Tiburon, retain the Veloster name, or be called something else entirely.
