Perhaps I wrote that ode to crazy, zany concept cars of years past a bit too soon. That's because they're still being churned out now and then. The latest comes to our friends from Hyundai.
Shown at an auto show in the automaker's homeland, Korea, Hyundai displayed a mid-engined Veloster for the first time. It was developed by the same team that has worked on Hyundai's World Rally Car vehicles.
What makes this concept cool is that it's fully driveable and is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder motor good for nearly 300 horsepower. That much power in a vehicle like the Veloster will be fun by anyone's benchmark. And with a mid-engine set up, there's a good chance it would handle like it was on rails.
Of course, this experiment has been tried before by Volkswagen who slammed in a W12 motor into a Golf GTI. The weight of it essentially killed any sporting intentions. That's why it's exciting to hear that Hyundai was smart enough to use a lightweight, four-cylinder mill.
There's just one problem: Hyundai says in the press release below this is not for production or any indication of a future model. It's simply an exercise to see what's possible.
Agent 001 is probably crossing his fingers hoping this is really just a stunt to see if Hyundai can make a car like the Kia GT4 Stinger and make a business case for it. ;)
Hyundai's press release follows:
Hyundai unveils high-performance 'Veloster Midship' concept at 2014 Busan International Motor Show
- Veloster 'Midship' (RM) concept car revealed
- Mid-engined, two-seater Veloster, generating 220kW/300PS from 2.0-litre turbo engine
- All-new AG large front-wheel-drive sedan also unveiled
Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea's largest automaker, today unveiled the exciting 'Veloster Midship' (known internally as 'RM' or 'Rear Mid') show car at the 2014 Busan International Motor Show.
Developed by Hyundai Motor Company's High Performance Team - who also developed the i20 WRC in its initial form - overseen by Mr Im Sebin and Mr Hwang Injin, the two-seater RM concept is fully driveable and boasts the latest Hyundai performance technologies, including a turbocharged 2.0-litre Theta GDI engine generating 220kW, lightweight aluminium suspension, a high-rigidity chassis and a mid-engined (RM: rear midship) mini-supercar layout.
The engine is located behind the occupants and within the wheelbase, offering ideal weight distribution and handling balance through corners. The Midship is a concept only to explore possibilities for the Veloster chassis and is currently not related to any future production model.
Also receiving its global reveal at the show is the all-new 'AG' large sedan that underlines Hyundai's position as a manufacturer of premium, distinctively-styled vehicles. Displaying an elegant yet simple exterior, 'AG' continues the modern interpretation of Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, with a distinctive long nose, and a refined character-line that runs the length of the wheelbase.
This new front-wheel drive flagship sedan will offer quiet and sophisticated driving comfort, while adopting a series of advanced convenience features.
AG is expected to reinforce the premium image of the Hyundai brand when it hits Korean showrooms in the second half of this year. No decision has been made yet as to whether the AG will be sold in overseas markets.