Hyundai Veloster from under $24k

HYUNDAI has announced a sub-$24,000 pricetag for its cheeky new Veloster coupe, first Australian images of which have also been released ahead of its official launch next week.

The Korean giant’s latest innovation, which features a single driver’s door on the right-hand side and two doors on the (kerb-side) left, is now arriving in Australian showrooms, priced from $23,990 plus on-road costs.

It will be available in two equipment grades, Veloster and Veloster +, the latter priced $4000 higher at $27,990 plus ORCs.

The top-spec Veloster is likely to come with larger (18x7.5-inch) alloy wheels with 215/40 R18 tyres, compared to the base model's 17x7.0 items with 215/45 rubber, plus foglights and perhaps a sunroof.

Both versions will be available with either six-speed manual or – in a first for Hyundai - dual-clutch automatic transmissions, with the automated manual gearbox commanding a $2000 premium over manual models.

In line with other Hyundai models, metallic/mica paint will be the only Veloster option, priced at $375.

Also like other Hyundais, the Veloster – which was today also awarded a maximum five-star crash rating from local safety body ANCAP - is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and one-year premium roadside assist program.

Left: Hyundai Veloster. Below: The forthcoming new i30 and the i40 sedan.

The Veloster will initially be powered only by Hyundai’s new 1.6-litre direct-injection GDI four-cylinder petrol engine, which generates the same 103kW as the new Kia Rio light car, in which it debuted last year.

Hyundai Australia says its first ‘driver’s car’ since the demise of the Tiburon V6 about two years ago will return estimated combined fuel consumption of just 6.4L/100km.

Apart from a practical and unique 2+1-door body style, both initial Veloster models will feature a metallic-highlighted interior inspired by a motorcycle, incorporating a sportsbike-style centre stack and controls, air-vents that look like motorcycle exhausts and a floor console mirroring the seat of a bike.

Other standard Veloster features will include electronic stability control (VSM), traction control (TCS), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BAS), while hill-start assist control (HAC) will be standard on DCT models.

Last November it also confirmed its all-new compact coupe will be joined here at some point by the more potent Veloster Turbo, which is powered by a 150kW/264kW turbocharged 1.6 GDI and made its global debut at the Detroit motor show last month.

While the standard Veloster has no direct rivals, the top-shelf turbo version could compete with coupes like Honda’s new CR-Z hybrid, Toyota’s upcoming 86 and its Subaru clone, the BRZ.

The Turbo is differentiated from the naturally aspirated Veloster by an aggressively restyled nose featuring a bold hexagonal grille opening, LED headlights, larger foglight surrounds and special aerodynamic foils for improved air flow.

New 18-inch alloy wheel designs with chrome insets, body side skirts, lower ride height and a revised rear bumper with more prominent diffusers also distinguish the Turbo.

The force-fed Veloster is 30mm longer and 152mm wider than the standard model, which weighs just 1200kg measures 4220mm long (making it shorter than Toyota's upcoming 86 coupe), 1790mm wide and just 1399mm high. Wheelbase is 2650mm - the same as Hyundai's next-generation i30.

As we’ve reported, the all-new FS-series Veloster will kick off another big year of new-model launches for Hyundai, which will release its redesigned i30 small hatch by mid-year and is also expected to introduce all-new i40 sedan soon.

Apart from the i30 hatch, i40 sedan and Veloster Turbo, this year should also see Hyundai stage the local release of the all-new Elantra Coupe, which will make its world premiere at the Chicago motor show next week, and the redesigned Santa Fe, which will emerge as the ix45 at the New York show in April.

Hyundai Velosterpricing (before on-roads):
Veloster	$23,990
Veloster (a)	$25,990
Veloster +	$27,990
Veloster + (a)	$29,990