Following the successful launch of the rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe, Hyundai is now focusing on the development of a front-wheel drive replacement for the Tiburon sports coupe which is known simply as the Coupe in Europe and other markets. In an interview with Inside Line, Hyundai Motor America's CEO John Krafcik revealed some juicy new details on the forthcoming small coupe which he claimed will look 70-80 per cent like the Veloster Concept that was unwrapped at the 2007 L.A. Show.

Krafcik said that the production version of the Veloster, which by the way, is among the names being considered for the new model, will pack a surprise bodystyle feature never seen before in the category. "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."

In terms of size, Krafcik mentioned that the Tiburon's successor will be quite compact. "It's Accent-sized. Think of it like a 4-passenger Honda CRX," he said. "It'll be a little car you can take out and ring its neck and still get good mileage. Fun and economical, with a great power to weight ratio."

In a previous interview back in March, the American CEO had revealed that the Veloster would be offered with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine. This time Krafcik went into more details. "It'll be powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder with Direct Injection making 140 hp. And it'll get over 40 mpg US (5.8lt/100km or 48mpg UK)," he told IL.

We're guessing that in other markets such as Europe and South Korea Hyundai will most likely offer the Veloster with diesel engines also, maybe even with the Korean firm's new 184HP 2.0-liter oil-burner that is available on the 2010 facelifted Santa Fe.

"There's just nothing out there right now with that kind of Eco-sport positioning" said Krafcik adding that the Veloster will arrive at Hyundai's dealerships before the end of 2011.

carscoop

.. Dopo il successo della Genesis Coupè.. che non si è capito perchè non sanno se improtarla o meno.

Dico io, una volta che fanno una coupè bella e a quanto pare ottima, se la tengono..?? Mah.

Via Spyshots.nl

Wooow

interessantissima... è il successore del coupè?

Wooow

Carina, niente da dire.

Normalizzeranno un pò il posteriore, imho,rispetto al concept.

Interessante. Come concetto la trovo simile alla CR-Z, senza l'ibrido però.

Tanto carina davanti quanto obrobriosa dietro

mi piace:dc: ..mi devo preoccupare

OMMIODDIO... Ecco a chi si sono ispirati per gli interni della Giulietta...

A parte gli scherzi, il concept mi piace... Speriamo che non la rovinino...