Hyundai unveils wild mid-engined Veloster concept

Korean manufacturer produces experimental rear-drive coupé to explore future potential of Veloster's chassis

The Hyundai Veloster Midship features a 2.0-litre, 296bhp engine

A mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Veloster show car has been unveiled at the Busan motor show in South Korea.

Developed by Hyundai's High Performance Team – which also carried out early development work on the Hyundai i20 World Rally Car – the two-seat concept is fully driveable.

Along with the Veloster's distinctive 2+1 asymmetric door layout, the 'Veloster Midship', as the show car is known, features a 2.0-litre turbocharged Theta GDI engine behind the front seats.

The powerplant, which produces 296bhp, is located within the car's wheelbase, to optimise the weight distribution and handling balance.

The Veloster Midship measures 4220mm long, 1865mm wide and 1340mm in height, making it slightly wider and lower than conventional versions of the coupé-cum-hatch.

Hyundai described the car as having a "high-rigidity body structure" and it also boasts lighter aluminum wishbone suspension, high-performance shock absorbers, uprated brakes and an active variable exhaust.

Inside, the regular seats have been replaced with a pair of lightweight sports bucket seats.

The Korean manufacturer also pointed out that the vehicle doesn't hint at a future model, but has been constructed as a "showcase for performance technologies", although it did hint that the concept explores future possibilities for the Veloster chassis.