2012 Hyundai Veloster Honored for Its Style by eCityofStyle

The 2012 Veloster, a unique, three-door coupe, marks the second consecutive year the Korean manufacturer has won an award. The Hyundai Equus, the brand's halo vehicle, was the recipient of an auto style award for the 2011 model year.

“Gone are the days of Hyundai's budget car status. Today, the Korean automaker is a legitimate threat to the establishment, designing cars that look considerably more expensive than they really are,” said eCityofStyle editors in a news release. “The Veloster is perhaps Hyundai's most successful execution of its new design language, called Fluidic Sculpture. From the tight front end to the sculpted side creases to the powerful wheel arches, the Veloster's exterior is both aggressive and sleek.”

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“With Veloster, we want to show consumers that high style and reasonable pricing can go hand in hand,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Veloster stands out from the crowd with a stylish yet functional design. We’re honored that eCityofStyle is recognizing the beautiful design and unique personality of the car.”

Other Auto Style Award Winners

Joining the 2012 Veloster as Auto Style Award winners are the BMW 6 Series, Fiat 500, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and Range Rover Evoque. Hyundai Veloster and the other winners were selected by fashion editors, stylists, fashion photographers and designers; all experts that live outside of the automotive world. (That could explain why the Fiat 500 is on the list.)

The Evoque stands out as the only other model on the list that stands out for its style while being true to its brand's DNA. As the editors point out on the AutoStyle awards website: "Sustainable and efficient design is the new mantra for the iconic Range Rover line. To get there, Land Rover had to be more revolutionary than evolutionary. Razor-sharp headlights, a swoopy roofline, and eco-friendly interior materials highlight the Evoque's smart design."

The editors rightly describe the BMW 6 series as a "massive car with an intimidating demeanor. Despite the aggressive look, the 6 is decidedly elegant and poised on the road. The V8 engine emits a refined symphony of muscularity rather than a confrontational one. If you need perfect silence, merely slow down to 25mph and raise the power top. No need to pull over like some kind of plebian convertible."

Not quite sure what all the fuss is about the Fiat 500 and neither are most Americans who have greeted the brand with a resounding yawn when it comes to sales (Jennifer Lopez or not). Editors did show it some loving: "It's a potent entry in the fun to drive, small car segment with an overt retro flair. The driving dynamics are exactly what you'd expect from the way it looks. Inside, the retro theme continues without being too over the top."

It's hard to quibble with the looks of the CLS63 AMG. As the editors mentioned, "Adding more rakish front fascia inspired by the exotic SLS, muscular fenders, and a meaner engine, the CLS63 AMG is a bona fide sports car. Complementing the athletic exterior upgrades, the interior design is first-class all the way. Carbon-fiber and piano-black trims are available to go with upgraded sports seats, aluminum shift paddles, and an over-sized shift knob."