COSTA MESA, Calif., December 12, 2011– The all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster earned the title of “Best Economy Car” in Bloomberg’s recent “Best Drives of 2011.”
The Veloster is an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link® telematics system, Pandora® internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that can be mated to either Hyundai’s first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.
The Veloster is also one of four Hyundai vehicles that achieve 40 mpg on the highway, along with the Accent, Elantra and Sonata Hybrid. In the third annual roundup of the year’s best vehicles compiled by Bloomberg, Veloster drew praise from the editors for “amenities like touch-screen navigation, automatic everything, Bluetooth and a rear-view camera.” “Hyundai has four models which hit the 40 mpg mark, only one a hybrid.
That’s progress for the people,” said Jason Harper, Bloomberg’s auto critic. “Most of us want a nice-driving, good-looking automobile that won’t sledgehammer us into debt. Hyundai has gotten in the habit of over-delivering very good cars at underwhelming prices. The Veloster is the most out-and-out fun.” Joining the Veloster as “Best Drives of 2011” are the Range Rover Evoque, the Lamborghini Aventador, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the Overall 2011 Winner, the Audi A7.
As expected for the winner of the “Best Economy Car” segment, the Veloster combines its dynamic design, wealth of technology and outstanding fuel efficiency with great value — The Veloster starts at $17,300 (plus freight). “We recognize that Bloomberg’s reporters and readers are among the most financially savvy and astute car buyers in the world,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
“With this in mind, it’s a tremendous honor that the publication appreciates all of the Veloster’s outstanding qualities in the compact coupe segment, from the telematics’ benefits of Blue Link™ to a fun, yet fuel-efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that yields outstanding fuel economy, combined with an affordable sticker price.”
