Three-pot diesel sets tongues waging

The outer dimensions are virtually unchanged, gaining only an inch front and back to make parking just as easy. One talking point is the 74bhp 1.1 litre three-cylinder diesel engine which returns an industry-leading 84g/km of CO2. It was developed at the Hyundai Group’s Diesel Centre of Excellence – part of its European centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Also offered, a 96g/km 1.4 litre four-cylinder diesel with 89bhp. Prices are awaited. As a guide the same 1.1 litre diesel in the Rio from its sister brand Kia costs £11,895 and the cheapest outgoing i20 is less than £10,000.

Hyundai also has a turbo version of the asymmetrically doored Veloster on the way. It has the group’s 1.6 litre direct injection petrol engine and produces 183bhp and 199 lb-ft of torque, compared with 138bhp and 123 lb-ft for the unblown version.