2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo at the Detroit Motor Show

I set my eyes upon Hyundai’s first-ever crossover coupe christened the Veloster at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and was instantly smitten by its radical styling and on paper credentials. In less than a year since its European debut, Hyundai’s 1+2 door coupe now arrives at North American shores (2012 Detroit Motor Show to be precise) looking sportier than ever .

Armed with a a new 1.6-liter Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct Injection (T-GDI) engine the 2013 Hyundai Veloster is now capable of producing 201PS @ 6000 rpm and 195Nm of torque from 1750 - 4500 rpm. The Veloster Turbo spec model’s Gamma engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that has traditionally been used on more expensive high performance engines, but Hyundai has brought this technology down its line-up from the Sonata 2.0T.

Other unique features on this performance focused Veloster model includes two larger free flowing circular exhausts that replaces the urban spec model’s trapezoidal center exhaust.  In terms of exterior design ques the Veloster Turbo's face can easily be distinguished by signature eight individual headlight LED accents.

For more accurate on track performance, the Veloster Turbo features a quicker ratio steering rack and electric power steering that adjusts assistance instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy.Full leather seats with the word "Turbo" stitched into the seatbacks on the inside helps deliver a unique interior look and feel to the coupe.

The Veloster Turbo is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifter and Shiftronic  controls rather than the base Vesloster's EcoShift DCT. The Veloster Turbo has the same a 104.3-inch wheelbase, but the Turbo is 1.2 inches longer (167.3 inches) and 6 inches wider (71.1 inches).

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster will begins sales in the US in summer and will give immediate competition to already popular models like the Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si and Mini Cooper/Clubman S. But a better power-to-weight ratio than the competition and a unique sport-tuned steering and suspension hardware set up on the Veloster Turbo may just cut the deal in favour of the Koreans.