THE Veloster’s debut presented us with the proverbial sheep in wolf’s clothing. So does the addition of a turbo ensure this new range-topper has the ‘go’ to accompany the ‘show’?

The Northern Echo: The Hyundai Veloster is a carefully-designed coupe to meet the demands of varying lifestyles – though the single rear door is certainly different

On the road: THE Veloster has always been a great looking car, that’s universally accepted. The problem was that it was, well, a little limp-wristed when it came to delivering the power that we all thought was hiding under the bonnet. The engine is essentially the same 1.6 litre unit from launch, but the addition of a twin-scroll turbo-charger - which among other things reduces lag - has resulted in a significant boost to both horsepower and torque. It’s aimed at satisfying more demanding European drivers and while it does give the coupe a little more oomph, it’s still somewhat shy of threatening the sector’s big boys. Progression is smooth, rather than fast and coupled with steering that lacks any real communication with the driver it means journeys are not as memorable as first impressions might suggest. One other thing to mention, some didn’t like the matt finish to our test car, but I felt it really made it stand out from the opposition and at £525 it’s not exactly a king’s ransom.

On the inside: THE Veloster is neatly packaged and the fit and finish are a world apart from Hyundais of old, but the quality isn’t quite that of some of its more loftier rivals. It’s clean and tidy and the design is very much of the time, but there is a little over-emphasis on shiny or scratchy plastic. The sports seats are comfortable and vision is pretty good all round.

What do you get: OUR top of the range model was packed to the rafters, but even the ones further down the pecking order come handsomely equipped. I especially liked the 18ins alloys with chrome inserts which fill the arches and give the car a purposeful stance. In addition, we got a leather steering wheel and gear knob, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, climate control, projection headlamps and LED daytime running lights, keyless entry with stop-start button, 7ins touchscreen media centre, rear parking camera and reversing sensors among other less glamorous items.

How practical is it: THOSE in the front will not find too much to complain about, but space in the back for your two passengers is a little tight, especially if they are a long in the leg. It wasn’t an issue for my two boys and their car seats, but I imagine it might be for grown ups, especially as the roofline slopes sharply. The Veloster is quirky in any case, but its two doors on one side, one on the other configuration is the cherry atop the cake. Far from a gimmick, it greatly aids rear entry and exit in a class for which such things are a constant and sometimes quite literal headache. The boot is also fit for purpose, with 320 litres of space on offer and that’s before you drop the 60/40 split folding rear seats.

Running costs: THE Veloster compares well with its rivals when it comes to purchase price and resale values are predicted to be pretty robust. In addition, the car comes with Hyundai’s Five Year ‘Triple Care’ assurance, which is made up of a five-year unlimited warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks. Hyundai say you should get close to 41mpg, but be prepared to settle for a little less if you want to maximise performance.

Verdict: THE turbo has certainly improved the Veloster’s pace and is a welcome addition to what was a pretty good package to begin with. Just don’t expect it to light up the tarmac.

Alternatives: VW Scirocco; Vauxhall Astra GTC