Hyundai US has teamed up with ARK Performance to create this one-of-a-kind Veloster three-door coupé for the SEMA show - the world's biggest aftermarket expo - in Las Vegas in November.
ARK started with the 1.6-litre engine, which has been slated by media as lacking excitement. They bolted on a specially-made, twin-scroll turbocharger, intercooler and free-flow (read loud!) exhaust system, to boost its output from 103kW to a much more street-cred 155kW, along with a custom oil cooler to keep the Veloster from getting hot under the collar.
The suspension has been lowered and stiffened, with special shocks, struts and anti-roll bars, and the SEMA Veloster runs on special Nitto tyres.
The body has been kitted with aggressive fenders and wheel arches, a tightly-styled rear wing and a distinctive bright green and flat grey paint job, while the inside is trimmed throughout in alcantara synthetic suede, with a full roll-cage, sports seats and a killer Image Dynamics sound system.
The standard Veloster will be shown in South Africa for the first time at the Johannesburg motor show from October 6-16, ahead of its SA market release in the first quarter of 2012 - and the good news is that by then it won't have the anaemic 1.6-litre US and Euro-spec engine, but a significantly more powerful 1.6 GDI (direct-injection) prime mover.