Caught Testing: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo - Spy Shots Hyundai’s funky coupe gets turbocharged.

Hyundai is about to have some serious fun with its wild looking Veloster coupe. Our spy photographers have managed to capture images of a distinctly meaner model, a turbocharged version that should offer at least 60 bhp more than the base model.

Until now, the Korean automaker seems to have played it fairly safe in terms of hyping the Veloster, despite the car’s bold design and bizarre 3-door layout. In case you’ve forgotten, there is one door on the driver’s side, and two smaller doors on the passenger side.

When the car was unveiled early this year during the Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai spent most of its time touting the Veloster’s 40-mpg highway fuel mileage. We’re all for great fuel mileage. But if you’re like us, having some driving fun between those (infrequent) visits to refuel is also greatly appreciated. It looks like Hyundai’s engineering team is in agreement.

Power and Mpg

The test mule pictured here has a new front end, including a revised grille, round foglights and chin spoiler. We love the center-mount exhaust tips poking out the back, and chances are good that body camouflage is hiding some sort of new rear spoiler. It’s nitpicky, but we hope some of the dummy front air intakes found in the base model—and there are plenty of them—are opened up and made functional in the transformation to turbocharged format.

Our sources tell us a turbocharged version of Hyundai’s 1.6-liter direct injection Gamma 4-cylinder engine will be found under the hood. The naturally aspirated version of this engine produces 138 bhp in the base Veloster. We wouldn’t be surprised if this 2013 Veloster Turbo pumps out more than 200 bhp. We’ll have to wait and see how much of an impact this extra power has on the Veloster’s much-touted fuel economy. Transmissions likely will include a 6-speed manual and Hyundai’s new 6-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic.

Expect the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo to make its debut later this year during the Los Angeles Auto Show, or perhaps early next year at the Detroit Auto Show