#HyundaiVeloster

Having just debuted its new Veloster model in Detroit, Hyundai has now announced it is preparing to take the car racing.

While the Hyundai Veloster made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, the company has quietly been testing a barely disguised Veloster with something a bit more sinister under the hood. The most likely explanation is that Hyundai is testing a more powerful Veloster, likely with a turbocharger.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Official pricing has yet to be announced, but Hyundai aims to make its new Veloster model an attractive proposition to younger buyers with a price that will hover right around $17,000. Competing in the same segment as the MINI Cooper and Honda CR-Z, the Veloster will cost a solid $2,000 less than its rivals – something that is certain to make it even more attractive to its target audience.

A car designed by and for Generation Y, the Hyundai Veloster has finally been revealed at the Detroit Auto Show. Powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 138-hp and 123 ft-lbs of torque, Hyundai will offer the car with either a 6-speed manual or a dual-clutch 6-speed automatic. Designed to deliver sporty performance, Hyundai is also claiming a 40-mpg highway rating, putting it ahead of all competitors in this segment.

Hyundai is taking a bold step into the world of in-car telematics with their BlueLink system. Much like GM’s OnStar, BlueLink can provide directions, schedule servicing, remotely lock or unlock the car doors, notify emergency services in case of a crash and remotely start the car, with the ability to pre-heat or cool the vehicle based on your preferences.

Other cool (and slightly spooky) features include an automatic slowdown feature in case your vehicle is reported stolen and being pursued by the police, and a feature known as “geofencing” that sends the driver a text message of the vehicle strays outside of a demarcated area. Looks like breaking curfew will be a thing of the past for children of Hyundai owners.

BlueLink will initially roll out on the Sonata and a “youth-focused model” (aka the Veloster) this summer, but will extend to the entire Hyundai range by 2013.

[Source: Hyundai]

Press release after the jump

Hyundai has just released a single teaser image of its new Veloster sports coupe/hatchback ahead of the car’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

There’s no doubt that 2010 has been a monumentally important year for the auto industry and one worth looking back on. From the Toyota recall crisis, to the success stories at Hyundai and Ford, to the launch of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, there have been no end of major news stories in the automotive sector.

However, 2011 is shaping up to be an equally exciting year, especially when it comes to the actual products, and so rather than a look back at the best of 2010, we thought it best to look ahead at the most anticipated cars that will debut over the next 12 months, starting in just a few weeks at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Hyundai has just released a short teaser video giving us the best glimpse yet and its new Veloster compact sporty car ahead of it’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

Positioned as a rival to the Honda CR-Z, the Veloster won’t be a hybrid, but will still beat the Honda in terms of fuel economy (on the highway anyway) thanks to a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Power will be rated at 138-hp and 124 ft-lbs of torque.

Check back for more info soon, plus complete details from the live reveal at the Detroit Auto Show on January 10th.

Check out the video after the jump and get more Hyundai Veloster News and Info at Veloster.org:

At today’s Michigan tech briefing, Hyundai announced plans for new transmissions, including a 10 speed automatic, and ambitious fuel economy targets.

Recently a report circulated online claiming that the Hyundai Veloster would debut at the LA Auto Show. The folks in Hyundai’s PR departmen t denied the claims and went so far as to say another “very important” model would be the focal point of their LA Show press conference. (That vehicle is believed to be the new Elantra).

Contrary to several reports, Hyundai has confirmed that the Veloster compact sports coupe/hatchback will not debut at the LA Auto Show later this year. Speaking about the rumor, Hyundai rep Dan Bedore commented that, “there is no truth to this.”

Ward’s Auto is reporting via their Twitter feed that Hyundai North America President and CEO John Krafcik told reporters that their North American arm will have a fleet average fuel economy rating of 50 mpg by 2025.

Hyundai‘s upcoming compact coupe, based on the Veloster concept, is expected to be unveiled soon in the Korean automaker’s home market before a likely international debut at either the Paris or Detroit auto shows. According to a report by Motor Trend, Hyundai is expected to announce at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show that it will take the new model racing.

Speaking at a press event in Korea, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik let it slip that the Hyundai Sonata Turbo will start at just under $25,000, undercutting its V6 segment rivals by about $3,000.