Hyundai's quirky, off-beat Veloster “2+1 door” coupé, has landed in South Africa, with a new 1.6-litre direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine mated to Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission.
Unlike the Mini Clubman, Hyundai has been able to switch the door layout on the right-hand drive version so that the forward-hinged rear door is on the 'safe' passenger side.
Its styling is recognisably derived from Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design language, and comparisons with the late, lamented Tiburon notwithstanding, the Veloster is actually not as small as it looks. At 4220mm long overall on a 2650mm wheelbase, it provides decent accommodation for four adults - even though rear headroom may be slightly compromised by its 1390mm overall height - as well as a 440-litre boot.
The interior is designed to meet the demands of younger buyers, with a 60:40 folding rear-seat back for flexible cargo capacity and lots of high-tech gadgets.
Its standard audio system supports radio, CD, MP3 and a range of external devices thanks to auxiliary, USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity - all displayed on a 180mm LCD touchscreen in the centre console that lets you scroll easily through your music playlist or contacts from your Bluetooth connected telephone.
There are also satellite audio and cruise control switches on the steering wheel.
MOTORVATION
The Veloster's 1.6-litre four-cylinder GDI petrol engine is rated for 103kW maximum power and 167Nm, driving the front wheels through either a six-speed manual gearbox or Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission.
This dual dry-clutch transmission is Hyundai's own, in-house development with two shafts - one with first, third and fifth gear, and the other with second, fourth and sixth gear. As the driver changes gears up or down, the clutches alternate to engage the relevant shaft.
Want to get more hands-on? Move the gear lever across to the left into Sport mode and it becomes a Touring Car-style sequential gearbox - nudge the lever forward for up, pull back for down.
POWER IS NOTHING WITHOUT CONTROL
All of which reaches the road via McPherson-strut front suspension with gas shocks and a 24mm front anti-roll bar, while the rear end run on a lightweight V-torsion beam (a first for Hyundai) with an integrated 23mm anti-roll bar and monotube shock absorbers.
Sport-tuned electric power steering adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions, and a quick-ratio steering rack gives it a crisp turn-in.
Should that turn-in get a little too crisp, the standard electronic tability management system will brake the relevant wheel or wheels to pull the car back in line.
It checks where you are steering and where the vehicle is actually going by an accelerometer sensor installed in the middle of the car near the gear lever, and the brakes on individual wheels or intervenes in the engine management system to stabilise the car.
Even the flinty-eyed whitecoats at Euro NCAP were impressed, scoring the Veloster at 96 percent for adult occupant safety and 89 percent in child occupant safety and awarding it five stars.
PRICES
1.6 GDI Executive (manual) - R259 900
1.6 GDI Executive (auto) - R276 900
These includes Hyundai's five-year or 150 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan. Service intervals are 15 000km.