Hyundai presents the all-new 2020 Veloster coupé

Hyundai announces the pricing and specs for its reimagined 2+1 Veloster coupé.

Buyers looking for a radical alternative to a hot hatch can soon buy the flash looking 2+1 Veloster sports coupé, with prices start from $29,490.

Exterior design highlights

For the second iteration of the Veloster, Hyundai designers started with a clean sketchbook page but remained faithful to the first-gen model. Some of the more obvious design elements include a low, squat stance and flowing panels with crisp edges.

Stylists tweaked the profile of the car, lengthening the bonnet and giving the roof a steeper angle of attack. Above the wheel arches are contoured body lines, and there's a rear diffuser underlining Hyundai's sporting intent for this model. According to Hyundai, the team aimed to make the car look more "intense" and "dynamic".

Performance credentials

Hyundai has worked hard to gift the coupé with crisp handling and reactive responses. First, there's a faster power steering system, a lightweight independent suspension set-up and torque vectoring.

Hyundai also carried out a localisation program to tune the chassis and suspension to suit Aussie roads as best as possible.

Safety features

Hyundai includes its SmartSense safety suite in all Veloster trims. This is comprised of a Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keep Assistant, Forward Collision Avoid Assistance and Forward Collision Warning.

Other stand-out additions include dusk-sensing headlamps, LED daytime running lights, a reverse camera and rear parking distance alerts. There's even a tyre pressure monitoring system, so you'll know if you've got a slow leak or if you've suffered a puncture.

Model highlights

Veloster

The manual Veloster is priced at $29,490, while the automatic costs $31,790. In this configuration, the Veloster has 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque. The standard Veloster has a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine, rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and has road-hugging Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres.

In the passenger compartment, things have been retooled drastically. There's a 7-inch infotainment system hooked up to six speakers and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay phone links. Hyundai drops in bucket seats that'll keep you held firmly in place on acute corners.

This isn't a stripped-out race car, though. It still boasts comforts like heated exterior mirrors, an automatically defogging climate control system and a leather steering wheel with matching gear knob. Automatic models also have a smart drive mode.

Veloster Turbo

Moving through the range, the Turbo model, with a 1.6-litre petrol rather than a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine, kicks things up a notch. A manual Turbo Veloster will set you back $35,490, while you'll need to hand over $31,790 for an auto.

First off, power is upped to 150kW and the engine has 265Nm at its disposal. There's an over-boost function too, that adds an extra 10Nm. Inside, there's supplementary tech. This comprises of a smart key, a larger 4.2-inch TFT driver supervision display, digital performance gauges that show the turbo boost and g-force, as well as motorsport-style paddle shifters.

Hyundai further lifts the interior by dropping in a bigger 8-inch infotainment screen with navigation and DAB, as well as a premium eight-speaker audio system. The seats are finished partly in leather and there are power-folding mirrors.

Outside, you'll see gloss black alloys and a performance grille/sills/rear spoiler and diffuser. Hyundai swaps the Pilot Sport 3 tyres for even more performance-focused Pilot Sport 4 rubber. Lighting your way are LED headlights and taillights.

Veloster Turbo Premium

For those desiring the top-of-the-line Veloster, Hyundai offers the Turbo Premium. For a six-speed manual, Hyundai charges $38,990. For the seven-speed dual-clutch auto, you'll need to put down $41,990.

For the higher initial investment, you receive 18-inch machined dark alloys. The seats are upholstered in leather and are equipped with heating and ventilation. The driver's seat is power-adjustable in eight different ways, and the steering wheel has heating elements.

There's a Head-Up display, an auto-dimming rear mirror, rain-sensing wiper blades, wireless charging, a glass sunroof and the option to go for a contrasting black roof.

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Picture: Supplied