Hyundai's quirky Veloster 02 | 03 | 2011

QUIRKY IT MAY be, but the new Hyundai Veloster will certainly catch your eye when you see it on the streets. Why? Well the car Hyundai will re-enter the affordable coupé market with this year has the unusual layout of a single door on the driver’s side and two conventional doors on the passenger side. And Hyundai stresses this format is the same on both left and right-hand-drive models.

It's expected the Veloster will be priced between the Renault Mégane Coupé and VW Scirocco when it enters Scottish showrooms.

Hyundai appears to be trying to establish yet another niche in the market. What exactly is the Veloster? Well, according to the guys at Hyundai, it's a "a utility coupé" — in their language, it mixes “the style of a coupé and the practicality of a hatch". Aaaah, ok!?

The styling of the final production version is still being tweaked at Hyundai’s Namyang development centre, but it's believed it will be close to the 2007 Veloster concept.

The latest evolution of the 'concept' boasts Hyundai’s new corporate nose, conventional rear lights and a hatchback. Inside the cabin, however, the interior has been completely rethought. Using the same new centre console design which will make its debut in Hyundai’s i40, it combines the climate control and touch screen.

The Veloster will be initially be available with two different 1.6-litre engines — 130bhp/117lb ft engine using conventional multi-point injection and connected to Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission, and the more powerful 138bhp/123lb ft direct injection GDI motor. The diesel uses a six-speed manual gearbox.

Expect a range of upmarket options too. The Veloster is expected o be available with a choice of LED lighting, keyless push-button starting, a premium sound system and a panoramic sunroof.

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Jim McGill