AIMS: Hyundai Veloster to add South Korean spice

THREE of four all-new models that Hyundai is releasing onto the Australian market by the end of this year have been confirmed to appear at the Melbourne motor show from July 1.

Attracting most attention will be the Veloster coupe, a concept car made reality with its revolutionary asymmetrical design featuring two conventionally hinged individual doors on the passenger side and one on the driver’s side – a layout Hyundai is engineering for both right-hand and left-hand drive markets.

With a claimed weight of 1172kg, the Veloster will be lightweight and paired with a frugal new direct-injection petrol engine. Making its debut on the coupe will be Hyundai’s first dual-clutch automatic transmission, which has been developed in-house.

The stylish Elantra sedan – now making its way into Australian showrooms priced from $20,590 to $28,990 – will also take to the stage as a more upmarket sedan accompaniment to the i30 hatch and wagon in the small car sector.

Another sedan, the 4369mm-long Accent, will be sold alongside the Indian-built i20 hatch as Hyundai’s “premium-light” offering and is expected to be launched within the next couple of months.

There has been no word as yet on whether Hyundai’s show stand will feature the classy i40 wagon, slated for Australian release around November, will be at the show to complement the i45 sedan.

The European-designed i40 wagon is already on sale in Europe, where it is offered with four engine choices and priced against the Mondeo – but offers more standard equipment.

As GoAuto has previously reported, Hyundai is also considering the sedan version of the i40 – due in right-hand drive form for the UK market in early 2012 – for launch in Australia as a slightly smaller, premium alternative to the i45 in a similar way that Honda markets the Accord Euro alongside the Accord.