Hyundai's new coupe 05 | 01 | 2011

WE KNOW IT'S not the best image ever, but this is your first look at Hyundai's new affordable coupé, the Veloster. This is the official teaser pic ahead of the car' debut at the Detroit Motor Show next week.

And no, your eyes don't deceive you; the Veloster (no, not a name we would have chosen) has the unusual layout of a single door on the driver’s side and two conventional doors on the passenger side. This format, according to Hyundai, is the same on both left and right-hand-drive models.

When it enters Scottish showrooms, expect the newcomer to be priced between the Renault Mégane Coupé and VW Scirocco. And Hyundai bosses have returned to the 'niche-within-a-niche' approach so beloved by manufacturers by calling the car a 'utility coupé' because it "mixes the style of a coupé and the practicality of a hatch”. Ho-hum.

Boasting Hyundai's new corporate nose, conventional rear lights and a hatchback, the interior of the Veloster differs from the 2007 concept. It now uses the same new centre console design which will make its debut in Hyundai’s i40. The design includes the climate control and touch screen and is seen in this image (above).

It's expected the car will be available initially with two different 1.6-litre powerplants. While the 130bhp/117lb ft engine uses conventional multi-point injection and is connected to Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission, the more powerful unit is a 138bhp/123lb ft direct injection GDI motor, which comes hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox.

A number of upmarket options are also expected to be available when the car goes on sale in Scotland, including keyless push-button starting, LED lighting, a premium sound system and a panoramic sunroof.

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Jim McGill