Hyundai Veloster first look

We had a chance to have a quick first look at the new Hyundai Veloster coupe-slash-hatch when it was on limited display at the Sydney Opera House.

The Veloster is due in Australia in Q4 2011.

From this side, the Veloster looks like a sporty three-door hatchback in the vein of the VW Scirocco.

But swing around to the other side and (what's this?!) there's a rear door for those sitting in the back.

Hyundai says that when the car enters right-hand drive production it will feature two doors on the left (passenger's) side and one on the right (driver's) side; the car on display here is a left-hand drive model, so the configuration is the other way around.

The handle for the solitary rear passenger door is semi-hidden Alfa-style.

The display car had a good quantity of tech on board, although with details still being nutted-out none are a definite for Australia.

Inside, there's climate control air conditioning, cruise control, touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth hands-free, voice recognition and a USB port with iPod compatibility.

There's LED tech powering the driving lights and the tail-lights.

The six-speed manual (pictured) will be joined by an optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission, a first for Hyundai.

Both of the glass panes seen here are part of the rear hatch. In front of them is a glass sunroof.

Given that rearward vision is split in half, it's a good thing there's a reversing camera.

The display Veloster's seats were comfortable and the leather seems to be a cut above the stuff currently employed in Hyundai vehicles.

Powering the front wheels is a 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine.

Like the leather seats, the interior trim feels almost luxurious.