SCOOP: Hyundai Readying Veloster Coupe to Take on VW Scirocco and Honda CR-Z


These are the latest spy pictures (see the scoop video here) of Hyundai's upcoming compact coupe based on the 2007 Veloster Concept. The South Korean company's answer to the VW Scirocco and Honda CR-Z hybrid will act as a replacement to the Tiburon, otherwise simply known as the Coupe, and it will be offered with naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.

The new car that may or may not keep the Veloster nameplate, will most likely make its world premiere as early as September at the Paris motorshow and go on sale on both sides of the Atlantic early next year.

While the production model is expected to retain much of the Veloster concept's styling including its shooting brake-like roofline, it won't be a two door model. Instead, Hyundai has opted for an asymmetric body with two doors on the passenger side of the car and a single longer door on the driver side.

The 2+2 sport model will be front wheel-drive only with the base version making use of a new direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 140-horsepower, and according to Hyundai, a combined fuel economy of over 40 mpg US (5.8lt/100km or 48mpg UK).

A turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter petrol unit producing close to 200HP along with a 1.7-liter diesel engine for the European market, and a more powerful four-cylinder petrol for North America, may also be an option.