IN a motoring world of coupes and crossovers, the name Fastback has pretty much gone out of fashion - but the model designation is set to make a comeback thanks to Hyundai.

It comes in the shape of the i30 Fastback - the latest addition to the i30 range which will be available by the beginning of next year.

In fact, it's a five-door coupe, according to Hyundai Europe's Chief Operating Officer, Thomas A. Schmid, who claims: "The i30 Fastback is the first elegant five-door coupe to enter the compact segment, underlining our commitment to innovation and customer choice."

Compared with the i30 five-door version, the chassis of the i30 Fastback has been lowered by five mm and the stiffness of the suspension has been increased by 15 per cent to provide a more dynamic and agile driving experience while maintaining a high level of comfort.

Thanks to the lowered roof and chassis leading to an overall height of 1,425 mm, the i30 Fastback is 30 mm lower than the five-door body type and is 115 mm longer than the five-door.

Like other members of the i30 range, the Fastback will offer a raft of the latest active safety features, including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist System.

The powertrain line-up of the i30 Fastback will consist of two downsized turbocharged petrol engines, which were newly launched in the i30 range.

Customers can choose between the 1.4T-GDI turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 140 PS or the 1.0T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 120 PS. Both will come with a six-speed manual transmission while the 1.4 will also be available with a seven-speed dual clutch auto.

The powertrain line-up will eventually be expanded with the addition of a newly developed, 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which will be power outputs of 110 PS and 136 PS. Both versions will be available with the six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

All engines come as standard with the Integrated Stop and Go (ISG) system for increased efficiency.