Hyundai Veloster might be delayed

HYUNDAI Australia has confirmed it will receive its first shipments of the quirky Veloster coupe/hatch crossover before the end of the year, but has admitted the car’s projected 2011 launch might be pushed back to early 2012.

Marketing director Oliver Mann said at last week’s launch of the i40 Tourer that the launch timing of Veloster would depend on how many shipments were received before the end of the year.

Hyundai Australia senior manager PR and events Ben Hershman told GoAuto this meant the local release might be pushed back to the beginning of 2012, depending on stock levels and finding a suitable launch timing over the busy holiday period.

The Veloster, featuring a unique asymmetrical design with two conventionally hinged individual doors on the passenger side and a longer single one on the driver’s side, made its first appearance in Australia at a sponsored event at the Sydney Opera House in March before being wheeled out at the Melbourne motor show in July.

While Hyundai is not giving away specification or pricing on the four-seat sports car, recent Australian Design Rule (ADR) documentation helps us to fill in some of the gaps.

While only one variant is listed in the ADR document, the company has received approval to offer both 17- and 18-inch wheels and an optional sunroof.

In the UK, an up-spec Sports variants gains larger diameter 18-inch alloy wheels (with colour inserts) and sunroof, making it likely that the Australian subsidiary will offer a similar choice.

The highly-specified UK Veloster range kicks off at £17,995 drive-away (A$27,900) and climbs to £21,745 (A$33,700) drive-away for the flagship Sport DCT.

The company previously confirmed that Veloster will be powered by a new 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine producing 103kW at a high 6300rpm and 167Nm of peak torque at 4850rpm.

The high-revving powerplant will be matched to a choice of six-speed manual gearbox or the brand’s first six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which is similar in design to existing units such as Ford’s Powershift and Volkswagen’s DSG.

In addition to the injection and valve-timing technology, Hyundai claims the engine’s electronic throttle control, roller timing chain, variable induction and use of anti-friction coatings will combine to provide highway fuel economy of 5.9 litres per 100km.

The car shares its underpinnings with the Accent sedan, sitting on a 2650mm wheelbase. Overall length is 4220mm, width is 1790mm, and weight is a tick under 1200kg.

Stopping power will be provided by 280mm discs at the front and 262mm discs at the rear.

Following the trend of recent models such as the i45 sedan and i40 Tourer, the steering and suspension local Velosters will be tuned locally to suit Australia conditions. The suspension set-up is MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear.