Direct injection. Dual-clutch transmission. 40 MPG highway. Three doors. 2,580 lbs. A $17k-ish price point. That might just be one of the most unconventional sets of numbers to come out of this year’s NAIAS, and the Veloster is certainly one of the more unconventional cars to launch here at Cobo. From a more cynical perspective, it is based on the Accent platform, rear headroom seems a bit cramped, the third door seems a bit unnecessary, and its marketing is a bit overly drenched in Gen Y-centric nonsense (also, official EPA numbers aren’t out yet). Still, the Veloster is a huge step from the Tiburons that came before it, and it adds an intriguing new facet to Hyundai’s American assault.

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