Is Hyundai planning to launch the Veloster sports hatchback in India?

Hyundai India’s Facebook page has given rise to an interesting development of sorts, about the Veloster sports hatchback being a launch possibility for the Indian car market. The Hyundai Veloster was showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo and after the event has been a standard fixture at a Hyundai dealership in the NCR region. The Facebook post by Hyundai India also lists a number for prospective buyers to call and find out more details about the Veloster. When we picked up the phone and alled, the folks at the Customer Care unit simply mentioned that they’ll keep us updated about the Veloster’s price and launch date while noting down out number.

The Veloster on Hyundai India's Facebook Page

The Veloster is a sporty hatchback that is based on the i30 platform. Globally, this sports hatchback from Hyundai competes with the likes of the BMW Mini range and the Fiat 500. Both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the Veloster are available. The sharply styled cars is one of the most distinctive Hyundais based on the Fluidic design philosophy. The car comes with projectors headlamps and day time running lights as styling elements up front. The car is a three door design and can seat four adults.

The 1.6 Liter petrol engine powering the Veloster in naturally aspirated form gets direct injection and variable valve timing to produce a peak power of 138 Bhp and a peak torque of 175 Nm. In turbo guise, this engine manages to output a class leading 201 Bhp of peak power at 6,00 rpm while peak torque is an equally impressive 265 Nm generated right from 1,750 rpm all the way to 4,000 rpm. The car is available with a choice of two transmission units, a manual 6 speed unit and a 6 speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. All said, we still are left wondering whether this car will indeed come to India or is it more of a prank played by someone administering Hyundai India’s Facebook page.

: The Veloster on Hyundai India’s Facebook Page

: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Sports Hatchback Rear

: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Sports Hatchback Side Profile

: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Sports Hatchback Front

If it indeed arrives into the country, expect the Veloster to sit above the i20, as a sporty aimed mainly at being a brand builder for the South Korean car maker, which isn’t exactly known for making sporty driver oriented cars in India. So, the Veloster could be a car that could do quite a bit to change Hyundai’s image. We’ve seen such cars being launched in the past as well. For instance, General Motors India sold the SR-V hatchback for sometime while Fiat sells the 500 model. For now though, the Hyundai Veloster could be more of a Facebook phenomenon, a flash in the pan, than anything else. Watch this space.