Hyundai Does A Final Destination With Veloster

Final Destination 5 is currently showing in cinemas. Not sure if it was coincidental or intentionally timed, but the ad below sure reminds us of a Final Destination like theme. The ad was commissioned to a Dutch creative agency Fitzroy. However ad was deemed too controversial (death theme) for mainstream Dutch television and did not make the final cut. Fortunately however, the good folks at Hyundai decided that rather than to bin the ad and put all the time and money to waste, it gave permission for Fitzroy to air the ad over Youtube, with adaptations to suit English speaking audience.

Yes, we too have problems trying to wrap our heads around the odd 2+1 door layout. It's an elegant solution that nobody asked for, to a problem (rear seat entry / exit) that none thought to be serious for a 2-door coupe. Hyundai has confirmed that right hand drive variants of the Veloster will be produced, but unlike the MINI Clubman, which features a similar style layout, the rear doors will have their position swapped on right hand drive models, so they are always on the kerbside.

But the MINI Clubman's 2+1 layout was incidental rather than intentional. The Clubman is based on the Mini, whose existing fuel tank and fuel filler neck design is too costly to be modified to suit a low volume model like the Clubman.

Hyundai claims that the third +1 door at the rear eases entry / exit to / from the rear seats. It is a welcomed feature but from a manufacturing point of view, that has to be mighty expensive. Considering the added complexity to the assembly line, as well as reduced volume for the individual rear doors and body panels. I guess that's not really a big problem when your car company happens to also own a steel manufacturer. Hyundai Hysco is Korea's largest automotive steel supplier.