Hyundai Veloster wins AJAC Best New Design award

Aggressively styled 3-door coupe already a best-seller in its segment

MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) today announced the Hyundai Veloster has won its coveted "Best New Design" award during a press conference at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The Veloster - with an Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price that starts at $18,999 - won over the Jaguar XKR-S and Range Rover Evoque; finalists that cost several times more.

"This award is proof that the best design doesn't need to come with the highest price tag," said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "The Veloster was developed under Hyundai's first unique design language, an approach we call Fluidic Sculpture. In fact, the designers were free to take the Veloster's styling to new heights as they created a completely new car for Hyundai and the industry. There simply isn't another three-door coupe available to consumers right now."

The AJAC Best New Design award is presented annually to the vehicle that exhibits the best balance of form and function. The jury is composed of AJAC journalist members from across the country who rate vehicles on a combination of aesthetics, function, and brand essence. The aesthetics component reflects the sheer beauty of the design. The function component assesses the manner and degree to which it accommodates the practical requirements of the vehicle type. And brand essence considers its success in conveying the image, heritage, and values of the specific brand.

Launched in Canada in September 2011, the Veloster's most striking feature is its asymmetric door layout which provides a single door on the driver side and two conventionally-hinged doors on the passenger side. In October, the Veloster won the Best New Sports/Performance Car (under $50,000) award at the annual AJAC Test Fest competition. Further, the Veloster has proven to be a sales success. Classified in the "Sport" segment by the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada, the Veloster registered total sales of 470 units in January, enough to make it the best-selling vehicle in the segment.

The Veloster combines light weight with a sport-tuned suspension and a potent-yet-efficient 4-cylinder engine to deliver a rewarding driving experience. The engine produces 138-horsepower yet is able to consume just 4.9 L/100km on the highway thanks to the adoption of cutting-edge automotive technologies like Gasoline Direct Injection and an advanced 6-speed transmission. The Veloster also offers Hyundai's first 6-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission, providing consumers the efficiency of a manual transmission with the ease and automation of an automatic.

The Veloster also comes extremely well equipped with standard features that include keyless entry and push-button start, a 7-inch touchscreen, back-up camera, satellite radio, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and a long list of safety features.

Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 200 dealerships nationwide.

For interviews or additional information, please contact:

Oles Gadacz, Public Relations Director, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Office: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]

Chad Heard, Public Relations Manager, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Office: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]

Patrick Danielson, Public Relations Specialist, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Office: [phone], Email: [email protected]