Deatails on Hyundais 2011 compact sports car revealed

Hyundai is going to introduce a compact sports car by the end of 2011. It will feature a 140-hp gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engine.

In a recent interview with Inside Line, John Krafcik – president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America reveled some interesting details on the upcoming Tiburon/Coupe replacement that Hyundai has in the works.

The forthcoming front-wheel drive Hyundai compact coupe will look similar to the two-door Veloster concept car, that made it’s appearance at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. According to Krafcik, the car will look 70 to 80 percent like the Veloster.

Regarding the bodystyling, Krafcik also said that we should not expect their new compact coupe to be an ordinary styled two-door coupe, but rather a very unique sports car with many segment-first styling elements. Styling elements that will differentiate new Hyundai compact coupe from other similar sized sports cars will either be uniquely designed doors or rear hatch.

The new four-seat Hyundai coupe is expected to be significantly smaller than Kias forthcoming two-door Forte Koup and will be positioned below Hyundais flagship sports car, the Genesis Coupe. Power is expected to come from a range of four-bangers including a 1.6L gasoline engine equipped with latest gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology.

Krafcik also said that their new compact coupe will be a fun-to-drive vehicle with great power to weight ratio. In addition, it will also achieve very competitive fuel consumption figures. You can expect to see  it returning 40 miles per gallon (US) or more!

The Korean carmaker has yet to decide how it will name its new compact sports car. According to Hyundai, there are two nomenclatures in the running and they include Tiburon and Veloster namings. The new Hyundai compact coupe is scheduled to hit Hyundai dealers by the end of 2011 so there is still plenty of time to study what name would be more appropriate.

Editors note: Its nice to hear a “high ranking” Hyundai official finally confirming something we have told you long before. The reincarnation of Honda CRX, with Hyundai badge on hood sounds like a winning combination already. Attractive and fun to drive, yet light on gas!