The 2012 Hyundai Veloster has been stealing headlines this week. In its second month of sales, the compact sports car sold 3,724 units, according to Automobile Magazine, making it the most popular “unconventional hatchback.” Plus, at SEMA, Hyundai announced it would be making a turbo version – pretty big news, since the Veloster only went on sale in September.
What’s the big deal about the Veloster? First unveiled in January 2011, the Veloster has a new, funky look compared to other competitors, namely with its three-door set up. The car has one door on the driver side and two doors on the passenger side. That third door in the back is like “stealth” door – with no handle on the outside, it maintains a sporty look while still making it easy for backseat passengers to climb in. The Veloster’s exterior also features a rearview camera with back up warning sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and LED headlight accents.
On the inside, the Veloster has a “best-in-class total interior volume,” so you get plenty of room for cargo. It also comes with a navigation system and XM Satellite Radio with Navtraffic, which connect to the 7-inch LCD touchscreen on the center console. There’s a 115V outlet for power and connections for video or flash drive. Plus, you can even play Xbox 360. You can also stream your music via Bluetooth, listen to CDs, connect your iPod or stream from your phone. However you decide to play your music, you can enjoy it with a 450-watt dimension premium audio system with 8 speakers and an 8-inch subwoofer.
So it’s got the look and the features. What about performance? The Veloster has a 1.6L gasoline direct injection engine that gets 138 horsepower and a fuel efficiency of 40 mpg on the highway – that’s better than some hybrids. It has a six-speed dual clutch transmission.
For safety measures, the Veloster has six airbags and comes with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). As part of the VSM, drivers get Electronic Stability Control, which uses sensors to compare where you want to go with where the car is actually going, and adjust the wheels to make sure the car goes where you want it to.
The Veloster has already impressed many drivers – if you’re one of them, why not stop by for a test-drive at your local Penske Automotive Hyundai dealership? One of our friendly staff members would be happy to assist you.
