The ARK Veloster debuting at SEMA provides a hint of what Hyundai will deliver with the Turbo Veloster.
Hyundai will pump up the new Veloster, the quirky little hatchback it recently introduced, with a turbocharger that will bump up its horsepower by nearly 50%.
The Veloster has become the latest in a string of strong products from the Korean brand, but if critics had any complaint about the unusual 3-door+1 design it was the Hyundai Voloster’s anemic little 1.6-liter gasoline engine, which currently makes just 138 horsepower. (Click Here for TheDetroitBureau.com’s review of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster.)
Hyundai is hoping this move will resolve that complaint.
The twin-scroll turbo will increase the horsepower of the Veloster’s inline-four engine to 207 hp, John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, revealed during the annual SEMA Show, an aftermarket extravaganza in Las Vegas. Hyundai is signaling the possibilities of a performance spin-off of the hatchback with the ARK Performance Veloster, a customized one-off that uses a twin-scroll turbo to squeeze 210 hp out of the hatchback.
The base 2012 Hyundai Veloster blends style and functionality with an under-$20,000 price tag.
The Hyundai Veloster’s initial appeal is in its distinctive design, which features a single door on the driver’s side, but two on the passenger side, making it reasonably easy to get into the back seat. A hatch also enhances cargo access. The car has a sporty appearance that, unfortunately until now, was more poseur than real.
“The Hyundai Veloster is an ideal car for enthusiasts with its distinctive design and dynamic architecture,” said Ted Lee, owner, ARK Performance Inc., which designed the SEMA Show car. (Click Here for a closer look.)
The addition of a turbo to the Veloster could signal a new twist in the Hyundai saga. The maker has staged a major turnaround in recent years and is now one of the U.S. market’s fastest-growing brands. It has moved up-market with models like the Equus and Genesis without abandoning its entry-level roots. But much of the emphasis lately has been placed on fuel efficiency, with four of Hyundai’s current models rated at over 40 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
The launch of the new Genesis R-Spec sedan suggests Hyundai may also be pushing into performance territory and the Veloster turbo will take things a step further. CEO Krafcik also hinted there’s more to come on the Genesis Coupe side, which industry watchers are taking to mean even more muscle for that already sporty two-door is in the works.