Hyundai to introduce three new small cars

Just the Facts:

* The front-wheel-drive Veloster coupe will make its 140 hp from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder.
* The redesigned Elantra will debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.
* Elantra's power should come from a Theta II 2.0-liter inline-4.

Hyundai has released auto show information and on-sale dates for its next three cars.

Inside Line has learned that the RB concept that debuted this week at the Moscow auto show will be rebadged as the new Accent for the U.S. market and will go on sale in mid-2011. Hyundai says the production RB will offer a choice of four-cylinder engines: a 1.6-liter making 122 horsepower and a 1.4-liter making 105 hp. We can expect similar, if not identical figures for the Accent.

The front-wheel-drive Veloster sport coupe, which we have seen before in various forms, will debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Expect it to be powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct injection and output in the 140-hp range. We expect it to be on sale by the end of 2011.

Hyundai's redesigned Elantra will debut at the Los Angeles auto show. Previously released interior shots indicate that the small sedan will feature an LCD infotainment screen and a multifunction steering wheel. Power comes from Hyundai's latest Theta II 2.0-liter inline-4 engine. The Elantra is expected to go on sale by the end of this year.

Inside Line says: Hyundai has big plans for the coming year, with some new product and updates of existing models. — Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor