It has been a long time coming but Hyundai's eagerly-awaited Veloster has finally arrived and is being showcased in dealerships across the county.

Its sleek styling stands out but the Veloster's unique selling point is its two plus one doors.

The option of a twin-clutch transmission also marks Hyundai's latest as something rather special and there's a semi-exotic feel to the intimate, deeply reclined cabin.

The Veloster's 1.6-litre normally-aspirated direct-injection engine manages 138bhp which keeps running costs very manageable.

Evidence of the investment Hyundai has made comes with its choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a trick dual clutch sequential box.

Hyundai has certainly provided this model with a considerable amount of standard equipment.

It has split the Veloster range into entry level and Sport models.

The latter gets 18in alloy wheels with colour inserts, black leather upholstery with heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof with tilt and slide function, cruise control, keyless entry with engine start/stop button and sporty alloy pedals.

Standard features on the entry level include 17in alloy wheels, a 7in touch-screen media centre (with the capability of playing games through consoles and films from smart phones), Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, climate control air conditioning, reversing sensors, front and rear fog lights and striking LED daytime running lights.

The Veloster also features a radio/CD player with MP3/WMA compatibility and an iPod connection, with the ability to control all functions on the leather steering wheel for added convenience.

Prices start at £17,995, with a Blue Drive low emissions version of the entry-level car also available.

The DCT twin clutch gearbox tacks about £1,300 to the price but many will feel it is worthwhile if much of their driving is in city traffic.

Hyundai also offers a media pack for the Sport model.

This features touch-screen satellite navigation with rear-view parking camera, Parking Guidance System and seven speakers including amplifier and subwoofer.

With bold styling, affordable running costs and Hyundai's excellent record for reliability and build quality, not to mention that industry-leading five-year manufacturer warranty, it looks as if Hyundai dealers will be kept very busy indeed with inquiries.