THE Fastback is the latest style edition to the Hyundai i30 range and it has just gone on sale.
It joins the familiar Hatchback and Tourer which were launched last year and creates another style choice.
To give the Fastback its coupe looks the roofline has been lowered and it is more tapered at the rear. The nose has been stretched, a rounded rump with a spoiler added and wrap-around rear lights and two new wheel designs also feature.
The coupe is longer and lower than the hatchback and the Mazda3 Fastback is probably the only other five-door coupe in the segment.
The newcomer's suspension has been stiffened slightly to provide a more sporting and dynamic drive and it is available with a choice of two petrol engines.
A 1.0-litre unit provides 118bhp while a larger 1.4-litre power plant offers 137bhp. Both come with six-speed manual gearboxes but the larger engine can also be mated to asweet seven-speeddual-clutch automatic.
There is a choice of trim levels and all are generous with even the base spec model providing a large touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and plenty of other kit.
You also get wireless phone charging and a rear view camera and if you upgrade to Premium spec you will get leather seats and LED headlights. The range-topping Premium SE adds a panoramic sunroof.
The Fastback also comes with all the latest safety equipment including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking and much more as standard. The top spec cars also get blind-spot warning.
The cabin is neat and functional andfeatures enough room for four adults to travel in comfort although there is slightly less headroom in the rear. The materials are all of a good quality and the instruments and controls easy to read and use.
The boot is a decent 450 litres and holds an emergency space saver steel wheel. The rear 60/40 split seats can be folded to create up to 1,351 litres if required.
I sampled the 1.4-litre version with the manual gearbox and it provided a nice refined drive.
Top speed is 126mph and the sprint to 62mph takes a reasonable 9.5 seconds. It cruises with little noise at motorway speeds and although the handling was less sporting than its looks suggested it will suit most of its buyers.
Claimed fuel economy is 50.4mpg on the combined cycle with emissions of 129g/km but you can expect to achieve considerably less in real world driving.
A brief drive in the throaty 1.0-litre model confirmed it was also a decent performer with a reduced top speed of 117mph and a 0-62mph time of 11.5 seconds. It is apparently good for 54.3mpg.
Korean cars are no longer cheap and the i30 Fastback Premium I drove cost £24,440. Prices of the 1.0-litre start from £20,305 and the 1.4 models cost from £21,055. Automatic cars cost from £22,055 and all come with that excellent five-year Hyundai warranty.
Generous equipment levels make up for the slightly expensive price tag but if you are looking for something different away from the hatchback mainstream this Fastback could tick the right box.