In a Tweet from Hyundai of America President and CEO John Krafcik (or somebody Tweeting at Hyundai with the initials JFK) , Hyundai announced that "the well-equipped Veloster starts at just $17,300." This would put a well-equipped Veloster below the base price of many competitors including the 2011 Mini Cooper which starts at $19,400 (Clubman starts at $21,200 if we're going with that multi-door thing), and the Scion tC which has an $18,575 entry fee for 2012.



There was no further information (like the transmission offered for $17,300 or what is considered "well-equipped"), but full Veloster pricing was said to be coming later this week.



Until then, $17,300 "well-equipped" is better than our earlier estimates of $17,500 to start.

Thanks to a late-night Tweet by one JFK at Hyundai, we had an early indication of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster's pricing, "the well-equipped Veloster starts at just $17,300." Now, just add $760 for the ever present destination fee and we've got the $18,060 figure that was released today.



For that you get a 1.6-liter inline-four making 138-horsepower, a six-speed manual transmission and a 7-inch touchscreen audio system running Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system.



Other options include a $2,000 Style Package and a $2,000 Tech Package which requires the Style Pack. The first one adds 18s, chrome grille surround, fog lights, sunroof, piano black interior trim, an 8-speaker premium audio system, leatherette seats and leather steering wheel. The Tech Pack has 18s with painted inserts, back-up sensors, navigation with rearview camera, automatic headlights and proximity key with push button start.



Buyers who want the automatic will have to shell out an additional $1,250 for the EcoShift dual clutch six-speed automatic.