Hyundai's oddball Veloster '2+1 door' coupé is attracting considerable attention at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, now on at Nasrec, especially since Hyundai SA has confirmed that it will go on sale in South Africa during the first half of 2012.
It's aimed at younger customers, says Hyundai, combining the style of a coupé with the functionality of a hatch and a passenger-side, forward-hinged rear door for easy rear-seat access.
And to complement that styling, SA-market Velosters will have the company's new 1.6-litre Gamma direct-injection petrol engine, for which Hyundai quotes 103kW at 6300rpm and 167Nm at 4850rpm, mated to either a six-speed manual or Hyundai's first dual-clutch gearbox, also a six-speeder.
Its hexagonal grille and bold headlights are intended to express progression and modernity, says the maker, while the 2+1 door configuration maximises practicality with styling that is very different from existing coupés and hatchbacks.
Unlike the Mini Clubman, which translated rather awkwardly to right-hand drive because the fuel filler could not be moved, the third door on the right-hand drive Veloster is indeed on the passenger side, for practical and safe access to the rear seats.
Despite its coupé styling (its overall height is only 1.39 metres), the Veloster has a 2.65-metre wheelbase and the designers have provided 990mm of front headroom, 1114mm of front legroom and 1412mm of shoulder room, with 896mm of headroom, 805mm of legroom and 1371mm of shoulder room for rear-seat passengers - as well as a 440 litre boot that expands to 1015 with the rear seats folded.
The Veloster's audio system supports radio, CD, MP3 and a range of external devices thanks to AUX, USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity; a panoramic sunroof, a 12V power outlet and air conditioning are also featured
It runs on McPherson strut front suspension with a 24mm anti-roll bar, and a lightweight V-torsion rear beam (Hyundai's first) with an integrated 23mm anti-roll bar and monotube shock absorbers.
The electric power steering adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions, and a quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in.
Active safety features vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, traction control and brake assist. And if that's not enough to keep you out of trouble, six airbags and a rigid safety cell will help protect the occupants.