Is it possible that the Hyundai Veloster's run ends after only three years of production? Hyundai->ke201 has made no indication on an answer to that question, but according to GoAuto, there has been a lot of internal debate on whether the Veloster->ke2534 lives to fight another generation or concludes a short-lived run after the facelifted model arrives in 2015 or 2016.

It's a surprising development for a car whose sales numbers haven't exactly caught fire. But the Veloster has developed a unique following among fans of the sports hatch->ke304, many of whom have come to love the vehicle and treated it as an outlier model of a company known for its high-volume models.

A Hyundai executive told GoAuto that no decision has been made as of yet and there are still enough influential voices on both sides to warrant more time to debate the Veloster's fate.

For now, a facelifted model is in the pipeline with Hyundai planning to adapt its current design language on the sports hatchback->ke304. If sales pick up on this model, then that could help Hyundai keep the Veloster around. But the fact that discussions are taking place on the sports hatch's fate is a little disconcerting, especially for those like us who have grown quite fondly of Hyundai's little pocket rocket.

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Click past the jump to read more about the Hyundai Veloster.0}

Here's the conflict Hyundai is reportedly struggling with, does it continue with a model whose sales figures -- only 60,000 units were sold worldwide last year -- haven't lived up to expectations or does it pull the plug knowing that it has already accomplished its objective of showcasing the company's capability of producing a high-performance sports hatchback?

It's an important question to ask, given this is still a business first and foremost. But something about it still makes us think that Hyundai's being short-sighted about potentially discontinuing the Veloster. Just because the first generation hasn't lit up sales figures, it doesn't mean you throw away all the good vibes it has accumulated since being launched in 2011.

Why It Matters

Since being introduced in 2011, the Hyundai Veloster has been a relatively successful model for Hyundai. It's not been a sales hit like the company would've liked, but its combination of sporty looks and performance capabilities have definitely endeared it in the minds of a lot of people, including us.

A facelifted version of the Veloster is already in the pipeline and should be released in the next few years. But as it sits, the current model still boasts of nice credentials, including a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque and a more powerful Turbo trim that carries 208 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.