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Hyundai Veloster: How cool is this?

Hyundai Veloster: How cool is this?

Veloster: a three-door coupe.

Pricing for Hyundai’s new 2012 Veloster three-door coupe starts at $18,060 for the entry-level model with six-speed manual transmission and ranges to $19,310 with the six-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission. Cars are rolling into dealerships now.

 Both models are powered by a 138-horsepower, direct-injection, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that gets EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city and 40 mpg with the manual transmission and 29/38 with the dual clutch.

 The Veloster with manual transmission weighs 2,584 pounds, which is lighter than the Mini Copper S and Scion tC, Hyundai said in a release.

 The body style is a hatchback with a passenger side rear door that has a concealed door handle. (It’s a true door, not a so-called access panel). Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, remote locking, power windows-locks-mirrors, air conditioning and cruise control.

 Other standard extras include Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system for voice-activated controls, Pandora Internet radio, seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free phone connection, video game console connectivity with 115-volt power outlet.

 The Blue Link service comes with a free six month service and includes Automatic Collision Notification and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance and Monthly Vehicle Report. Other services, with other subscription rates, include voice text messaging, remote unlock or locking, remote vehicle start, stolen vehicle slowdown, curfew alert, turn-by-turn navigation, gas station locations and more.

 Options include:

  • Six-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shifters, Hillstart Assist Control, and Active ECO System ($1,250 MSRP)
  • Style Package ($2,000), includes 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome grille surround with piano black highlights, fog lights, panoramic sunroof, piano black interior accents, eight-speaker Dimension audio system with external amp and subwoofer, leatherette bolster seats and door inserts, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, alloy pedals.
  • Tech Package: ($2,000; requires Style package), includes unique 18-inch alloys with painted inserts, backup warning sensors, vavigation system with rearview camera, automatic headlights, proximity key entry with push-button start, 115-volt outlet

 SPECIFICATIONS
2012 Hyundai Veloster
Body style: compact, 3-door hatchback
Engine: 138-horsepower, direct-injection, 1.6-liter four-cylinder
Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch with paddle shifters
Fuel economy: 28 mpg city, 40 hwy (29/38 with dual-clutch); 87 octane recommended
Length/wheelbase: 166.1/104.3 in.
Front head/leg/shoulder room: 39/43.9/55.6 in.
Curb weight: 2,584 to 2,657 lbs.
Cargo space: 15.5 cu. ft.
Turning circle: 34.1 ft.
Safety features: 6 air bags, stability and traction controls, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution
Base pricing: $18,060 to $19,310
Warranty
: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper-to-bumper, 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain coverage, 5-years of free roadside assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.

Kubang concept: a Maserati SUV?

Kubang concept: a Maserati SUV?

Maserati plans to partner with Jeep and Ferrari for its first sport-luxury SUV.

 
Maserati put a fresh face on its Kubang concept nameplate and showed a striking, new crossover SUV concept at the recent Frankfurt auto show.
 
The Italian automaker showed the original Kubang concept in 2003, when few luxury brands were considering a crossover. A truck still may seem bipolar for this maker of hand-tooled sports cars and sports sedans, but all the tools are now at hand.
 
Today, Maserati can reach to the other side of the world to its new sister division, Jeep, and explore an all-wheel drive, sport-luxury SUV. It also has reached out to another division partner, Ferrari.
 
There may be more “production” than concept to the Kubang. In a release, the company said that an SUV is “a natural direction for Maserati to enlarge its product range and strengthen its presence in the sport luxury  market.”
 
Critics may have scoffed at the thought of a Porsche truck, but the Cayenne crossover (a variant of the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7) has been a sales salvation for the brand. And now a smaller crossover is planned.
 
The new Kubang styling was created at the Maserati Style Center headed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti. Maserati insists the essence of the SUV and all major system components will be unmistakably Maserati: style, engine, suspensions, brakes, handling and performance. An eight-speed automatic transmission will be developed by Maserati.
 
New-generation, high-tech Maserati proprietary engines will be designed in Modena, Italy, and built in Maranello by Ferrari. Engine development will be handled in-house by chief engineer Paolo Martinelli, head of the brand’s powertrain department. He also spent nearly 30 years at Ferrari, where he also served as engine chief of the Formula One racing team.There was no word whether the new powerplants will be V-8s, electrified or smaller-displacement “charged” engines, turbo- or supercharged.
 
Maserati is actively seeking input on the Kubang. Should it be built?
 
Send me an email: Mark.\m150@cox.net