Hyundai will re-engineer its upcoming three-door Veloster coupe specifically for right-hand drive markets, a Hyundai source has confirmed.
The Veloster – a replacement for the soon to be discontinued Hyundai Coupe – has three physical hinged doors, similar in concept to the Mini Clubman, but unlike Mini, Hyundai will change the design for RHD markets despite the huge cost of retooling involved.
“There are some big markets out there for RHD such as the UK and Australia so it will be worth the cost of re-engineering,” said the source. “It’s going to be quite innovative in the way it’s laid out.”
First seen at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show, the Veloster is Hyundai’s answer to the VW Scirocco. It is a similar size to the Scirocco, measuring 4285mm long and 1790mm wide, and will share much of its platform with the front-wheel drive Hyundai i30.
Internally, Hyundai describe the Velsoter as a “compact ultility vehicle; a stylish coupe with hatchback practicality.”
The 2+2 Velsoter’s flagship engine will be the 168bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged four-pot petrol engine, complete with stop-start technology and direct fuel-injection, which first appeared in the Hyundai ix-onic concept at Geneva this year.
The source described the new engine as “economical but also very quick” and the Veloster “is smaller than the current Coupe but it’s a more sophisticated car with lots of innovative technology.”
The Veloster will go on-sale in the UK at the beginning of 2011, with prices set to start at around £18,000, the same price as the outgoing Coupe.
Thanks to: Autocar