Last February, we revealed that a production version of the Hyundai Veloster was in the works and would likely hit the market as a late 2011 or 2012 model. Speaking to Inside Line, Hyundai of America's President and CEO John Krafcik says the Korean automaker plans to position the Veloster as an 'Eco-Sport' car.

According to Krafcik, the car will be significantly smaller than Hyundai's own Genesis Coupe (not to mention the Kia Forte) and will be powered by a 1.6-liter four-banger fortified with direct injection that will offer up 140 horsepower while returning over 40 miles per gallon.

Krafcik goes on to say the new machine will look 70-to-80 percent like the Veloster concept that we saw firsthand at the LA Auto Show in 2007, and it will feature some sort of unique styling element. Says Krafcik, "It might be doors or a unique roof or something with the hatch. But it won't be like anything out there before in the small car segment."

"Think of it like a four-passenger Honda CRX. It'll be a little car you can take out and wring its neck and still get good mileage," he said. "Fun and economical, with a great power-to-weight ratio." Sounds like a winner. All that's left to figure out is the car's name, which may or may not end up being either Veloster or Tiburon.


[Source: Inside Line]