Designed with urban Californians in mind, the Hyundai Veloster C3 Roll Top concept was unveiled during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show, today. SoCal is certainly a fitting place to unveil the C3, given its residents can make great use of its key feature.

For those who don’t know what the Hyundai Veloster is, it’s basically a stretched hatchback that borrows inspiration from some of the sleekest coupes on the market. The car mainly targets younger buyers looking for a 3-door car with a 2-door look and a design that sets itself apart from the rest. It’s for people who would want the power and urban feel of a Mini Cooper S but in a less costly, Korean-built package.

The Veloster C3 aims to combine open-air freedom with the style of a coupe and the functionality of a hatchback. Hyundai claims that it rolls the best of both worlds into one amazing package. Let’s find out how “amazing” this package is.

2013 Hyundai Veloster C3 Roll Top Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Hyundai Veloster C3 Roll Top Concept
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 201 @ 6000
  • Torque: 195 @ 1750
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

The Hyundai Veloster C3’s main selling point is the option to enjoy open-air freedom at the touch of a button. The C3 (which stands for Convertible 3-door) offers a distinctive canvas roof that opens forward or rearward. It also comes with a tailgate that goes into recreation mode -- perfect for surfing, biking or kayaking – when the top is rolled forward.

To enjoy the wind through your hair while cruising the Pacific Coast Highway, roll the soft-top backwards and you are good to go. We believe that this “dual-personality” will have its fair share of fans as well as haters. Hyundai promises less costly exterior parts that can be replaced on-the-go if you ever get bored with the color. Same promise applies for the soft-top, as Hyundai will offer different patterns and designs. Kudos to Hyundai for its customization options.

Inside the C3, broken and old skate board decks are repurposed and artistically line the cargo floor, creating a unique mosaic, which gives it a unique look. This out-of-the-box feature is exclusive to the Veloster C3 as it breathes some coolness in otherwise a dull interior. The rest of the interior is left untouched, so no harm done.

Power

The Veloster C3 not only brings its “dual personality” to the table, but it also brings along some power. A 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine powers the Veloster C3 concept, and produces 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm.

This 1.6-liter Gamma turbocharged engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that when combined with the GDI system, results in instantaneous power delivery. With large, free-flowing circular exhaust pipes and a robust intake manifold, the Veloster C3 promises a good rumble, for a 4-banger.

Prices

Prices for the Hyundai Veloster C3 is still a concept, so there is nothing official on it and we really don’t expect to see it produced any time soon – if ever…

Competition

The Veloster C3, if it were to be produced, would be contested by the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet and the Mini Cooper Convertible. If there’s one thing that the Veloster C3 offers, it is the sheer practicality that its competition fails to offer. The Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet is what the Germans think that Californians should drive to soak up the sun. It brings an iconic design and name to the table and, thanks to VW’s current standards, supreme build quality. Unlike the Mini and Hyundai, it doesn’t offer vast customization features to help customers personalize their vehicle

Like the VW Beetle, the Mini Cooper S brings an iconic design that has been given the premium treatment yet treasuring some retro elements. The downside is that it’s significantly costlier and less powerful than the Hyundai Veloster C3. While that might be a deal breaker, there are people that would still pay the extra for it.