The 2012 Veloster delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, even-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai’s first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012 VELOSTER
- All-new three-door coupe design
- Coupe design with the functionality of a hatch and a passenger-side forward-hinged rear door
- All-new 1.6-liter GDI Gamma engine paired with proprietary Hyundai six-speed manual transmission and Hyundai’s first EcoShift dual-clutch transmission
- 40 mpg highway
- Better highway fuel efficiency than Honda CR-Z Hybrid
Veloster is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in 24 months), on the heels of the all-new Tucson, Sonata, Equus, Elantra and the all-new Accent. The 2012 Veloster poses some intriguing questions:
- Why can’t a sporty coupe get 40 miles per gallon?
- Why can’t a car have the same connectivity as portable electronic devices?
- Why does coupe design dictate only two doors?
- Why can’t an affordable coupe offer premium features?
- Why can’t Hyundai have two coupes – a playful front-wheel drive model targeting the likes of Mini Cooper and Scion tC to complement the sport-focused, rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe?
MOTORCYCLE INSPIRATION
Veloster’s unique design takes inspiration from a high-performance sport bike. Veloster has distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. In the front is an aggressive form of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. Optional packages add a chrome grille surround, piano black highlights, fog lights, and a massive panoramic sunroof.
In profile the Veloster features “Fluidic Sculpture” character lines, muscular wheel arches, bodycolor door handles and mirrors, and wraparound headlights and taillights. Veloster comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and offers two types of 18-inch wheels. The top-of-the-line 18-inch wheel comes with painted inserts, a segment first.
Veloster’s dynamic rear design has a distinctive glass hatch, dual centered chrome exhaust tips and black lower fascia that complements the assertive front fascia.
Inside, the center stack and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank and incorporate an available push-button starter. The air vents are inspired by motorcycle tailpipes, while the floor console mirrors the seat of a bike. Metallic accents abound throughout the interior. Alloy pedals and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are also available.
THE THIRD DOOR
Veloster combines the style of a coupe and the functionality of a hatchback, while also incorporating an additional passenger-side door. In the past, some coupes have used smaller rear-hinged access doors. These coupes have always been compromised by having to open the driver-side door before the rear door could be opened, proving to be inconvenient for both the driver and passenger, and extremely difficult to operate in tight parking lot situations. Hyundai’s fresh take here implements a conventionally hinged door on the passenger side of the Veloster, providing safe and ready access to the surprisingly spacious rear seats. The passenger-side rear door handle is hidden to maintain the coupe design.
GAMMA 1.6-LITER GDI ENGINE
The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). GDI technology helps deliver highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability.
“Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions,” said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. “Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and 40 mpg on the highway.”
Through the use of GDI, the Gamma 1.6-liter engine delivers a peak output of 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 123 lb.-ft. at 4,850 rpm. But GDI is only part of the story as the new Gamma also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.
Gamma highlights include:
- Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
- D-CVVT (intake and exhaust camshaft phaser) camshafts and hydraulic engine mounts provide optimum power, efficiency and refinement. Using CVVT on both camshafts has several advantages when compared to using it only on the intake camshaft including an improvement in performance (increased volumetric efficiency) and fuel economy (reduced pumping loss), and a reduction in hydrocarbon emissions.
- Roller Timing Chain
- Helps increase the reliability of the Gamma 1.6-liter engine.
- Electronic Throttle Control
- This system accurately controls air intake and engine torque, improving drivability, response and fuel economy.
- Innovative Anti-Friction Coatings
- A Diamond Like Coating (DLC) was added to the tappets to help reduce friction in the valvetrain.
Working together, the complete range of engine technologies produce an engine that offers:
- Best-in-class specific output at 86.3 horsepower per liter
- Excellent fuel economy
- Lower emissions with ULEV certification
- High reliability backed by a 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty
NEW SIX-SPEED ECOSHIFT DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
Hyundai’s commitment to making the Gamma engine extremely fuel efficient continues by pairing it with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an all-new, six-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission (DCT) developed by Hyundai.
Hyundai’s new EcoShift DCT takes the benefits of a manual transmission, including low fuel consumption, and blends them with automatic transmission benefits, such as high comfort levels and smooth shift quality. In addition, the EcoShift DCT enables direct connection for high efficiency and uninterrupted torque transfer during shifts. Automatic transmissions lose power and fuel economy in the torque converter.
Veloster’s EcoShift DCT can be thought of as two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch operating in parallel and alternating shifts. Veloster is a six-speed with one clutch acting on gears one, three and five and the other used for two, four, six and reverse. This shifting process results in quick smooth transitions with none of the efficiency loss normally associated with torque convertors. The clutch actuator assembly features electric motors for actuation, and an external damper improves NVH.
This powertrain also has an Active ECO mode which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy that translates into more than a seven percent improvement in real-world fuel economy.
The EcoShift DCT also incorporates Hyundai’s Hillstart Assist Control (HAC). HAC is designed to minimize rolling backwards on steep ascents.
EcoShift DCT benefits include:
- High-efficiency operation for improved fuel economy
- Optimal response and shift control
- Compact design for efficient packaging
- Light weight
VELOSTER VERSUS ITS RIVALS
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Base Engine
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2012
Veloster
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2011
CR-Z
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2011
Mini Hardtop
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2011
Mini Clubman
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2012
tC
|
|
Displacement
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1.6L DI
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1.5L HEV
|
1.6L
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1.6L
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2.5L
|
|
Horsepower
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138@6300
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122@6000
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121@6000
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121@6000
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180@6000
|
|
Torque (lb.-ft.)
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123@4850
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128@1,000~1,750 MT
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114@4250
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118@4250
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173@4100
|
|
Trans
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6M or DCT
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6M or CVT
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6M or AT
|
6M or AT
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6M or 6AT
|
|
HP/L
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86.3
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81.3
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75.6
|
75.6
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72.0
|
|
Curb weights
M/T
A/T
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2,584
2,657
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2,637
2,690
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2,535
2,612
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2,712
2,789
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3,060
3,102
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OVERALL DIMENSIONS
The Veloster rides on a 104.3-inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 166.1 inches and width of 70.5 inches.
BEST-IN-CLASS INTERIOR VOLUME
Veloster’s versatility and coupe design does not compromise interior volume. Veloster has best-in-class interior volume for the compact sporty car segment. Veloster’s total interior volume of 105.3 cubic feet beats the 2011 Honda CR-Z, Scion tC, Mini Hardtop and Mini Clubman.
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Interior Volume (cu. ft.)
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Veloster
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tC
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CR-Z
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Mini Cooper
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Mini Clubman
|
|
Passenger
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89.8
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88.4
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49.1
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76.0
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80.0
|
|
Cargo
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15.5
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14.7
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25.1
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5.7
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9.2
|
|
Total
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105.3
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103.1
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74.2
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81.7
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89.2
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The abundant interior volume benefits headroom, legroom and shoulder room.
|
Veloster
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tC
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CR-Z
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Mini Cooper
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Mini Clubman
|
|
Headroom (f)
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39.0
|
37.7
|
36.9
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38.8
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39.0
|
|
Legroom (f)
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43.9
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41.8
|
42.7
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41.4
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41.4
|
|
Shoulder room (f)
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55.6
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55.4
|
53.8
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50.3
|
50.3
|
WORLD-CLASS WEIGHT EFFICIENCY
World-class weight efficiency is a program target for all Hyundai models. This strategy delivers outstanding fuel economy and performance simultaneously. At just 2,584 pounds, Veloster is more than 400 pounds lighter than the Scion tC and more than 80 punds lighter than the Mini Cooper S. This priority on weight efficiency allows the Veloster to deliver a great combination of agility, performance, and fuel efficiency.
FUN TO DRIVE
The Veloster is fitted with a McPherson strut front suspension, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer. The rear suspension is a light-weight V-torsion beam, a Hyundai-first with an integrated 23 mm stabilizer bar to allow bracing of the arms for greater stiffness and to further control body roll. The rear suspension also uses monotube shock absorbers for ride comfort.
Veloster features sport-tuned electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system. A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in. Veloster’s turning diameter of 34.1 feet is better than tC’s 37.4 feet, CR-Z’s 35.4 feet, Mini’s 35.1 feet and Mini Clubman’s 36.1 feet. Standard are 215/45HR17 tires on 17-inch alloy wheels. There are two optional 18-inch alloy wheels with lower profile 215/40VR18 performance rubber.
Advanced Standard Safety Technologies:
Veloster has an exceptional level of standard safety features for the sporty car segment. Veloster has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).
VSM works to control two effects. The first is when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-mu surface (slippery on one side, dry pavement on the other) and the vehicle wants to pull in one direction. VSM detects this condition and sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering assist. VSM counters the pull and automatically provides eight Newton meters of counter steering. VSM reacts the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.
Veloster features six airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags.
The Veloster also features a state-of-the-art braking package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on vehicle loading conditions.
CONNECTIVITY/TECHNOLOGY
In the digital age everyone wants to be connected to their electronics at all times, so Veloster comes standard with a multifunction seven-inch touch-screen display. At engine start-up, the screen comes to life with a Veloster image and a unique sound. There are three interface layouts the user can choose from.
Gracenote improves how Veloster drivers access and manage their music using enhanced voice recognition commands in concert with your iPod.® Gracenote MediaVOCS® technology improves the accuracy of the system’s voice recognition capabilities for music search, letting drivers pinpoint bands, artists and albums with hard-to-pronounce names, irregular spellings and nicknames. For instance, Gracenote MediaVOCS helps the system understand artist names like Beyoncéand AC/DC. And drivers can use “The Boss” as a voice command to access tracks from Bruce Springsteen. In addition, the song’s album cover art displays on Veloster’s touchscreen.
With video games being an important element of entertainment, Hyundai integrated a USB jack, RCA jack and 115-volt power outlet in Veloster to support gaming consoles for ultimate gaming sessions when in park.
Veloster is available with two audio systems. Standard is a 196-watt AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod®/USB/auxiliary input jacks. A 450-watt Dimension Premium Audio system with eight speakers including an eight-inch subwoofer and external amplifier is available. An XM Satellite Radio interface is also integrated into the head unit and features channel logos and XM Data services, such as XM NavWeather®, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker.
A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, address book download and audio streaming is standard. Touch-screen navigation is optional. The system also integrates a rear-view camera and backup warning sensors, which cannot be found on the CR-Z or tC.
COLOR PALETTE
Veloster’s light weight, high-efficiency, and “own-it” attitude are all characteristics of a long-distance runner. That spirit lives in the bold color palette Veloster brings to consumers, including Century White, Ironman Silver, Triathlon Gray, Ultra Black, Marathon Blue, Electrolyte Green, 26.2 Yellow, Vitamin C and Boston Red.