Hyundai Coupe

Baby boom as all-new coupé heads Hyundai’s triple treat

Show concepts reveal smaller coupe to come from Hyundai, as well as a hydrogen cell family car

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Hyundai Veloster

By Sam Hardy

18th September 2007

Meet Hyundai’s new Puma! This stunning sports car is set to follow in the wheel tracks of the much loved Ford coupé, offering buyers a mix of style and fun in an affordable package.

Called the Veloster, it is the star of the Hyundai stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And while it’s officially a concept for now, it signals the firm's intent to shift upmarket.

Resembling a shrunken Nissan 350Z, it’s certainly daring, with a panoramic glass roof that runs all the way to the stubby rear. There are also triangular headlights and tail-lamps, and minimal overhangs with chunky wheelarches.

The Veloster has been penned by Hyundai’s styling studio in Korea, and has been designed to appeal to the ‘iPod generation’. Let’s hope the name – a combination of velocity and roadster – is switched to one of the brand’s Apple-inspired ‘i’ badges, though.

The Veloster is not the firm’s only Frankfurt debutant. The wraps have also been taken off the i-Blue cross-over, which is the first Hyundai designed model specifically to use a hydrogen fuel cell.

Looking like a sporty family saloon with a sloping roof and room for four, the Ford Mondeo-sized car uses a new platform and Hyundai’s latest hydrogen powerplant. Meanwhile, the new i30 Estate is on display, too. It goes on sale early next year and, as with its Kia Cee’d SW sister car, has an extended wheelbase for extra luggage room.