Take one funky but boring hatchback, ditch the back seats, shove the engine where the back seat should be, wick up the engine nicely, make sure there’s enough air and radiator coverage to keep things cool and go kick ass at a rally circuit. Sounds like a winning combination? It was during the Group B era of rally racing, when of all companies, lowly little Renault took it’s 5 hatchback (we know it as the Le Car), and did precisely that. The Renault 5 Turbo was a spastic little monster, with wide hips out back, inlets at the leading edge of the rear fenders and a soundtrack that sounded nothing like any Le Car we ever saw.

In many ways, the Hyundai Veloster fits that same pattern: it’s a funky hatchback that really doesn’t pop onto our radar at all. But this one, spotted in South Korea and posted to Blood Type Racing’s Facebook page, has got our attention fully. The three-door car is now a legit two-door and the engine is mid-mounted and rear-driven. While it’s not confirmed, the camouflage coverings indicate that this Hyundai is testing something out, but it’s not known if it’s a factory deal or aftermarket. Either way, we do know that these have appeared in Global Rallycross before with Rhys Millen, and those cars were packing 500hp 2.0L engines. Hmm…wonder what’s going on here, especially since Hyundai divested out of motorsports in North America. Any ideas?

(Courtesy: Jalopnik)