Hyundai has priced its funky new Veloster coupe. It will undercut its Renault Megane Coupe and Volkswagen Scirocco rivals while boasting an extra door thanks to its unique body style; one side boasts two conventional doors while possessing a window line like that of the other, traditional one-doored side. It endows the Veloster with extra practicality over rivals, as well as a welcome dose of intrigue over the competent but fairly plain Hyundai Coupe it effectively replaces.
 
The only engine from launch will be a 138bhp naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit, which in Blue Drive trim will offer CO2 emissions as low as 137g/km, popping it in tax band E. It’s front-wheel drive and you’ll have the choice of a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional dual-clutch automatic transmission.
 
There’ll be two trim levels, the standard Veloster (17in alloys, 7in touch-screen media centre, Bluetooth, climate control, LED running lights) and Veloster Sport (18in alloys, heated leather seats, cruise control, panoramic sunroof). Prices range from £17,995 for an entry level Veloster and rise to £21,745 for a twin-clutch gearbox-equipped Veloster Sport. Hyundai’s impressive five-year warranty and aftercare package is standard.
 
Veloster sales begin in the UK in February 2012. Fingers crossed a heavily rumoured, more potent 1.6-litre turbocharged model follows later in the year.

Our first drive of the Hyundai Veloster is here