This really is a stunner

REGULAR readers will know that I’m not a fan of
two-door cars. I had heard good reports on Hyundai’s new Velostar, which replaces
their famous Coupe, but when I picked the new car up from the company’s
headquarters I said to myself,

‘not another two door, they won’t like this at
home’.

However,
the following day I discovered a very discreet third door and I’m not talking
about the door that gives access to the boot! The third door is located on the
passenger’s side and the opening for the door is so discreet that you wouldn’t
notice it unless you actually have a back seat passenger. It really is a very
clever idea, you still get that coupe look, but most importantly you don’t
impose on the driver or front seat passengers to get out and allow back seat
passengers in or out.

So
three doors, but only four seats. The back seat can only accommodate two people
as it’s divided by a console where you can place drinks etc. There is just
about enough head room in back that is really very bright thanks to a large
rear window. In the front there is plenty of space and leg room for the driver
and front seat passenger.

The
dash is well laid out and comes together very well; the touch-screen radio
displays did take a little getting used to. And if you really want to get up a
good speed there are white-knuckle type grips to hold on to for driver and
passenger. To save fuel you get the modern stop-start technology. Also plenty
of slave controls on the sporty-looking steering wheel.

Externally
I found the LED lights at the front and the twin exhaust both very attractive.
I have seen an apple green version of the Veloster and didn’t notice the LED lights,
but the lights really looked cool in the black model I drove. The car is not
set very low and you will bang your head when getting in or feel every bump on
the road. The boot is a decent size and you get a

‘mini’ spare wheel.

The
rear window reminded me of the Honda Civic as it’s divided in two, but rear
visibility is much better in the Veloster than the Civic. And to make reversing
even safer there is the best, brightest rear view camera I have ever seen. You
may live in a house for years, but somehow your house looks different when
photographed from the panoramic reversing camera. The rear view camera was so
good in the Veloster that I wished I could have obtained a screen-grab of my
house from it.

Prices
start at

?¬24,995 for the 1.6 petrol .C02 emissions are 137g, which equates to

?¬225 road tax in the new price structure. At this stage only available in
petrol. All Hyundai cars now come with their five-year triple car package which
consists of: 5 year unlimited mileage, 5 years roadside assistance and 5 year
vehicle health check.

It
really is a stunner and if you take a test drive you will get some envious
looks. All cars are suitable for male and female, but I don’t think it’s unfair
to say that the Veloster will be most attractive to female drivers.