NAIAS: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

The past year was pretty good to nearly all the auto manufacturers, but especially to Hyundai. The brand has seen sales for both Hyundai and Kia brands go up significantly, on the back of desirable new products that challenge the status quo.

There has no doubt also been some image-building thanks to models like the Genesis and Genesis Coupe. One thing that has never really been a big part of the Hyundai equation is performance, except for the Genesis Coupe. Many pinned their hopes on the Veloster to change that. After a concept preview model and teasing, the Veloster is finally here.

Hyundai's styling has often been criticized for being derivative and unoriginal. Models like the Genesis and Sonata haven't escaped that, despite no doubt being handsome.

The company has set out to change this with its "fluidic sculpture" design philosophy that is unique to Hyundai. The Veloster embodies this, and it certainly is different. Different doesn't win you design awards though, or mean that it is good-looking.

At this stage that is not the first term we'd use to describe the Veloster. An element Hyundai is trumpeting on this car is a two-door look, but with the addition of a third door.

The passenger side has a third door behind that enables entrance into the rear seating area. This has resulted in a passenger door that is much shorter than the driver's door.

The front fascia is dominated by large headlights and a grille design quite unlike any that we have ever seen. The car's overall design appears a bit disjointed, with awkward angles and a lot going on. There are bulges and indentations all over the sheetmetal. Maybe it will grow on us?

Fluidic sculpture works a whole lot better in the Veloster's interior. The car's interior design is done in a V-shaped format, with a vertical center stack raising up to offer well-placed controls for driver and passenger. Hyundai says the interior (along with the exterior) is inspired by sport bike elements.

We can find a lot to like with the car's technology package. Clearly the Veloster is aiming for the youth market. As the hub for technology and features, it has a standard seven-inch touchscreen.

The Veloster will offer the ability to stream Pandora internet radio, virtual CD downloading with the ability to store 10 CD's on a hard drive. Other features include an 115-volt power outlet and the ability to hook up a video console to the screen (!). That's a new one! For safety, the feature is only available when the car is in park (thank goodness!).

The Veloster debuts Hyundai's new Blue Link telematics platform that offers a rival to competitor services like General Motors' OnStar. It offers core features like Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance.

The Veloster is offering lightweight, tossable fun instead of all-out performance. It is powered by Hyundai's all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder, with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology.

The engine makes 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and offers maximum torque of 123 lb.-ft. at 4,850 rpm. Combined with a light curb weight of only 2,584 pounds, Hyundai says this should result in a mpg figure of around 40 mph, besting its hybrid rival the CR-Z.

Hyundai says the Veloster will start at around $20,000, with intended rivals being the Honda CR-Z, Scion TC and MINI.

The Veloster is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in 24 months) that included the new Tucson, Sonata, Equus, Elantra and the new Accent.