Hyundai is giving serious consideration to producing the roll-top Veloster C3 concept.
Hyundai offered an imaginative open-air reinterpretation of the popular Veloster coupe during a preview at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The C3 convertible 3-door concept vehicle unveiled at the LA show features a dual-function convertible soft top that rolls backwards and forwards – somewhat like the system used on the Fiat 500C – and a tailgate to replace the standard Veloster’s hatchback.
“We were inspired by the proverb ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss,’” explained Chris Chapman, chief designer, Hyundai Design North America. “The Veloster C3 Roll Top concept offers the ‘no strings attached’ freedom of a roll top convertible and customizable utility that fits an everyday to a play day dual lifestyle.”
“The Veloster is already an incredibly versatile vehicle but by transforming it into an open-top car, the sky is the limit,” added to Jordan Leal, graphic designer from Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
The concept vehicle also features some clever ideas for recycled materials, including a cargo floor made out of re-used skateboards and using recycled material to create the convertible soft top.
“The materials are inspired by sport gear. The colors also come straight from the street. They were inspired by “fixie” bikes seen around town,” Leal added.
As shown in its concept form, the Hyundai Veloster C3 Concept is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine – the same as in the Veloster Turbo launched earlier this year — producing 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque from 1,750 – 4,500 rpm with regular fuel.
Hyundai’s 1.6-liter Gamma turbocharged engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that when combined with the GDI system can deliver almost twice the power of the normally aspirated inline-four that was originally offered in the Hyundai Veloster hatchback.
The Korean carmaker has a history of revealing concepts that it hopes will click with the media and, more importantly, with potential buyers. It has translated a number of these show cars and production vehicles.
John Krafcik, Hyundai of America, chief executive officer, also hinted during the Hyundai press conference that the company’s product planners are giving some serious consideration to putting something like the C3 into the product line-up.
“At Hyundai, we listen pretty carefully to our customers for clues about what they need from a vehicle today. The C3 Roll Top is one result of that research it came from listening to folks in the twenties who prefer the path less taken and want to the most out of life,” he said.
(Flap over inflated fuel economy ratings has not hurt sales, Hyundai officials claim. Click Here for that story.)