The Hyundai Veloster is a funky, spunky little hatchback, but it's not exactly the best performer in its class. You know what would fix that? A mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout and 300 horsepower. Too bad Hyundai will never do that. Oh wait, they just did!
This is the Hyundai Veloster Midship Concept. It just debuted at the Busan Motor Show in South Korea, and as its name implies, it has an engine in the middle that sends power to the rear wheels.
The current Veloster, by comparison, does not.
The concept packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine behind the passenger compartment, and it puts out close to 300 horsepower. Auto Expressreports it was done up by the same team responsible for the i20 WRC rally car. Other tweaks include a lighter aluminum suspension and a more rigid chassis.
I'm also a fan of the Porsche 919 Hybrid-style graphics up top. As a whole, it looks pretty good, and the specs make it extremely desirable.
Unfortunately, we'll be stuck desiring it forever, as there are no plans for production, and it exists only to "explore possibilities" for the Veloster chassis.
That's a shame! I have been saying for years that affordable mid-engined cars like the Toyota MR2 need to make a comeback. This could be it for Hyundai. They'd own a market no one else is really in right now.
Do it, Hyundai! Make the Veloster mid-engined! The world will thank you for it!