Hyundai Veloster Turbo to start at $21,500?

As much as we love the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, it's the 2013 Turbo model that really gets our juices flowing (especially in matte gray, for the record). It takes that unique three-door (four-door?) configuration one step further with the addition of some more aggressive aero bits, a revised front end and new wheels; not to mention a potent 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four underhood, good for 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.

The Veloster Turbo goes on sale this summer, and while official pricing hasn't been released, the folks at Inside Line have apparently confirmed that the car will start at $21,500 – $22,280 when you factor in the $760 destination charge. That's $4,205 more than a base Veloster, but in addition to more power, we expect that some of the base car's optional features will be fitted as standard kit on the Turbo.

What's really interesting, however, is Inside Line's report that the Turbo model was never even part of the original Veloster product strategy here in the United States. No big deal, because we're still getting the forced-induction hatch regardless. But the real reason why this is important is it explains why the Turbo is being offered with a six-speed automatic (in addition to a six-speed manual) rather than the dual-clutch unit found in the base car. Guess that in-house dual-clutch unit can't handle the full 195 lb-ft of the Turbo.

We expect Hyundai to release official Veloster Turbo pricing closer to the car's on-sale date this summer. And if this $21,500 base MSRP stands true, then the affordable end of America's hot hatch pool just got a lot more interesting.