Rated at 204 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, the Gamma 1.6 T-GDI engine is 66 horsepower stronger than the standard 138-horsepower 1.6-liter GDI engine in the standard Veloster. Considering the Veloster's very light (by modern standards) 2,584-pound curb weight, the 204-horsepower four-banger would put the Veloster Turbo on par with the very fun-to-drive MINI John Cooper Works--provided Hyundai could get the same handling dynamics from the chassis.
Given Bengt Halvorson's favorable impressions of the standard Veloster's handling in his first drive report at TheCarConnection, we have high hopes for the Turbo version of the car, as it could get a sportier suspension setup in addition to the added power.
As yet, however, Hyundai hasn't confirmed either this engine for the Veloster or the Turbo model in general, though we've had some wink-wink-nudge-nudge denials that make us think it's a given--oh, and of course there are our spy shots which show a prototype in testing.
Look for the Veloster Turbo to arrive around the middle of 2012.
