SCOOP: European Hyundai Veloster Coupe Shows its Face, will get 1.6-liter Turbo with 208HP

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know by now that Hyundai unveiled its Veloster coupe at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show. So, what's with the 'scoop' title of our post, we here you ask? Well, this here example is the European spec Veloster and it was caught undisguised by our spies in Germany ahead of its debut at the at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March.

The only visible styling changes over the North American model concern the use of clear indicators up front, all-red tail lamps at the back and the newly styled alloy wheels. Unfortunately, our spies couldn't get close enough to the prototype to snag the interior, but don't expect to see any significant modifications other than trim and color options.

Up until now, we were in the dark about the engine lineup of the European model. However, we just learned from an official source that the Veloster will be offered with two gasoline engines including a flagship turbocharged four banger.

The Veloster will launch in Europe with the same 1.6-liter direct-injection four-banger as the NA-spec model, producing 140-horsepower and 167 Nm of peak torque for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of under 10 seconds. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional dual-clutch transmission.

Europeans will also get a Blue Edition version that pairs the 140-horse motor with a start-stop system and some additional fuel-saving features, which help drop CO2 levels from 138 g/km to 129 g/km.

The crown jewel of the Veloster lineup will be a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology and an output of 208-horsepower, allowing the car to complete the standard sprint in around 7 seconds. We don't know if or when Hyundai will offer this engine in North America.

The naturally aspirated models will go on sale in most European countries this April, with the UK following later in the year. The Veloster 1.6 Turbo will be added to the range in early 2012.

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SCOOP: Hyundai Readying Veloster Coupe to Take on VW Scirocco and Honda CR-Z

These are the latest spy pictures (see the scoop video here) of Hyundai's upcoming compact coupe based on the 2007 Veloster Concept. The South Korean company's answer to the VW Scirocco and Honda CR-Z hybrid will act as a replacement to the Tiburon, otherwise simply known as the Coupe, and it will be offered with naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.

The new car that may or may not keep the Veloster nameplate, will most likely make its world premiere as early as September at the Paris motorshow and go on sale on both sides of the Atlantic early next year.

While the production model is expected to retain much of the Veloster concept's styling including its shooting brake-like roofline, it won't be a two door model. Instead, Hyundai has opted for an asymmetric body with two doors on the passenger side of the car and a single longer door on the driver side.

The 2+2 sport model will be front wheel-drive only with the base version making use of a new direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 140-horsepower, and according to Hyundai, a combined fuel economy of over 40 mpg US (5.8lt/100km or 48mpg UK).

A turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter petrol unit producing close to 200HP along with a 1.7-liter diesel engine for the European market, and a more powerful four-cylinder petrol for North America, may also be an option.

SPY VIDEO: 2012 Hyundai Veloster Coupe Caught Testing in Europe

A prototype model of Hyundai's long-awaited Veloster sport hatch that will essentially act as a replacement for the Tiburon, otherwise known as the Coupe, across the pond and other markets, was spotted running around public roads in Europe.

We're not sure if Hyundai will keep the "Veloster" name of the concept car, but we do know that the South Korean automaker's proposal will compete head on with other low roof sport hatchbacks like the VW Scirocco and the more recent Honda CR-Z hybrid.

From what we can tell, the production version will remain close to the 2007 Veloster Concept in all but one aspect; as you can see in the video after the jump, the road-going model features an asymmetric body with a longer door on the driver's side. This could indicate the presence of a second, suicide-style, door on the passenger's side - think MINI Clubman.

Under the hood, Hyundai has already confirmed one powerplant, the firm's new 1.6-liter four cylinder engine with direct injection pushing out 140-horsepower in entry-level trim. The company said it expects this model to return a combined fuel economy of over 40 mpg US (5.8lt/100km or 48mpg UK).

Rumored, but not confirmed, are a turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter petrol unit producing close to 200HP and a diesel engine for the European market as well as a more powerful four-cylinder petrol for North America.

The production version of the Veloster is expected to make its European debut at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show at in September and its U.S. premiere at the 2011 Detroit show next January, with sales following shortly after.

Source: Youtube/AMS

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HYUNDAI VELOSTER CONCEPT

SCOOP: 2011 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Receives Minor Updates, Including BMW-Like Gearshifter

The Genesis sedan has only been out in the market for two years, but Hyundai is getting ready to present the 2011MY with some barely noticeable styling upgrades in its home market.

Scooped here in South Korea completely undisguised, the 2011 Genesis sedan appears to get a reworked front bumper with newly styled air ducts and trim, more prominent side skirts, a chunkier chrome strip above the license plate and a new rear bumper with reshaped exhaust tips.

From what we can tell from these pictures, the only visible change inside concerns the new and, as you can see in the photos after the jump, very BMW-like, gear shifter of the automatic transmission. There's nothing official on the car yet, though there has been talk of a 5.0-liter V8 engine joining the range.

It's unclear if or when the subtly updated Genesis sedan will be headed to the States.

Photos: Bobaedream Forums / Via: Thecarblogger

2011MY Hyundai Genesis

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2010MY Hyundai Genesis

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BMW Gear Shifter