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The Veloster, which started life as a concept and this week revealed itself at the Detroit motor show, is confirmed for Australia late this year. Hyundai Australia's Ben Hershman says the Veloster's unusual three-door layout - one door on the driver's side and two doors on the opposite side - will allow easy access to the rear. That's something every coupe owner has dreamed of.
The trick may be which side has the two doors for our right-hand drive market. Shown in Detroit, the two doors are on the right side. In our case, that's behind the driver and means rear passengers will access to the traffic side, not the curb side as for left-drive markets.
Mr Hershman insists Australia gets it right - two doors on the passenger side - meaning Hyundai is prepared to stamp up side and door panels for two markets.
Which makes you wonder why the three doors - if you've got the metal presses running two sets with two doors, why not make it a four-door coupe? As shown in Detroit, the Veloster reflects the long-gone S-Coupe with a small engine - in this case, a 102kW/167Nm 1.6-litre four - mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch auto.
But maybe performance isn't its bag. The Veloster gets Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system that integrates everything from service schedule alerts to restaurant ratings, remote start and stolen vehicle slowdown.
US buyers also have a subscription service to access more information - such as internet and traffic reports - that runs through the Veloster's standard-fit 175mm touch screen.
