The past few years have seen a growing fashion for manufacturers to blur established class distinctions with cleverly repackaged cars, but most are comparatively conservative next to Hyundai’s assuredly left-field Veloster. An asymmetrically doored model would have been a measure of the brand’s burgeoning confidence in any segment, but the fact that this one-plus-two-door car has emerged as a halo-wearing three-door coupé signals just how far the Korean firm has come in the UK since the scrappage scheme sent its i10 city car into the stratosphere.
Hyundai claims the Veloster’s single nearside rear door means it straddles two segments and offers hatchback-like practicality in the sharp-suited body of a coupé. In truth, it’s an unorthodox broadside at conventional two-door rivals from Volkswagen, Vauxhall and Renault. The quirky Veloster will need to earn its buyers from established competition in a market it has not contested since the Hyundai Coupe disappeared from this country three years ago. One thing that’s certainly in its favour is its price, as it sits well below the £20,000 mark, coming in at a value-for-money figure of £17,995.
Currently there’s only one engine available, which is the naturally aspirated 138bhp 1.6-litre. However, a turbo edition was revealed at the Detroit motor show in January 2012, and is expected in the UK in September 2012. Power for the higher-performance edition will be 183bhp and it will have a 0-62mph time of 8.4sec, against the naturally aspirated model’s 9.7sec. The Turbo will also get a larger-diameter exhaust for a “more robust sound”, along with new front and rear bumpers, a new rear spoiler and grille, new 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, projection headlights with LED daytime running lights, and unique LED tail-lights.
