Glamour puss

MALCOLM BAYLIS puts it through its paces in Italy

HYUNDAI may have crashed out of the first stages of the World Rally Championship, but the Korean company is likely to make a much bigger public impact with its all-new coupe which goes on sale next week.

Since the coupe was unveiled in September last year interest has burgeoned. And although it can burn the rubber when it comes to fast take-offs, the new coupe is priced not to burn a hole in the pocket. Prices start at £14,499.

There are five specifications in the range, with a choice of three engines, a 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.7 V6, with two of them matched to automatic gearboxes, while the flagship manual model has a six-speed gearbox, a first for Hyundai.

Hyundai has an interesting history when it comes to coupes. Initially the S-Coupe was sold here and around the world, until being replaced by the American-designed Coupe in 1996, which turned out to be such a stunner that it also outsold the glamorous Fiat Coupe in Italy. Within a year, sales in the United Kingdom rocketed from 595 to 3,546, and towards the end of last year were still climbing.

Styling of this latest model has moved back from the USA to in-house, and its arrival is expected to take sales this year to around 4,500, a feat hopefully to be repeated next year.

With its street cred already on a high in Italy it was no surprise that Hyundai chose Fiat and Ferrari land in which to show off its new model (not far from Rome), and the Italians, never slow to express their admiration of the glamorous, responded accordingly ... even to the extent of blowing kisses at the cars ... or maybe it was to my female co-driver.

There is no doubt about it, though, the car is a real headturner, with its sculpted looks, twin headlamps and spot foglamps, aerodynamic roof line and rear spoiler.

The engines powering the coupes come in with the £14,499 entry-level 1.6-litre fuel injected four cylinder 16-valve Alpha engine, the same as used in the previous coupe, but with a number of improvements and modifications to increase performance as well as cut back on noise levels. There is 103bhp on tap at 5800rpm, as well as 106lbs.ft of torque available at 4500rpm, producing a 0-62mph dash time of 11.6-seconds.

Performance times for the 2.0-litre engine are slashed by more than two seconds, helped by a power figure of 136bhp at 6000rpm and a torque of 134lbs.ft at 4500rpm.

Although this particular engine has also been in business before, once again there have been a number of important changes made to its design before being transplanted to the latest coupe.

The top-of-the-range manual model, the £18,499 2.7-litre V6, is powered by an engine new to the coupe, but already used in the Santa Fe off-roader, Trajet people carrier and the new Sonata saloon. It has a power output of 165bhp at 6000rpm, torque of 182lbs.ft at 4000rpm, and to prove it is not slow off the mark leaps from 0-62mph in an acceptable 8.2-seconds.

It is a tremendously nippy number, particularly matched to the manual six-speed gearbox, and still offers pulling power in sixth. It also comes with traction control.

Drivers who like an automatic box can spend £19,499 on the 2.7-litre or £17,499 on the 2.0-litre SE, and drive off using the Porsche-designed H-matic gearbox, which in addition to a full automatic at the push of the lever, can also be switched to pure manual use.

The other transmission option available is a five-speed manual for the 1.6-litre or for the £16,499 2.0-litre model.

Hyundai figures show that the shape of the coupe is more aerodynamically efficient than that of the Audi TT and also the Ford Cougar. The all-steel body is 50mm longer, 30mm wider an d 27mm taller than the previous model, and carries with it impact protection bars as well as riding on a frame designed to disperse collision damage away from the driver and passengers.

Standard safety equipment includes front and side airbags, pre-tensioned seatbelts for front and backseat users, collapsible steering column and special cushioning on all pillars to reduce head injuries, as well as anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.

Coupe driver and front passenger comfort is important, not only when it comes to the seats, but also when reaching or using the instruments.

The facia in the new model is dominated by a large black dials for the speedo and rev counter, with fuel, temperature gauges and digital trip in between, the white lettering and numbers highlighted by red needles). There are also nicely placed dials showing economy use of the throttle (similar to that found in BMW models) which can be quite useful, but also voltage and torque readers, which I would have thought will prove of little interest.

There is an audio system but, sadly, one of those with masses of confusing and small buttons, none clearly marked or readable from the driver's position without disappearing below the dashboard. A dangerous manoeuvre to say the least. Even the passenger has trouble reading the radio face, and that is peering closely at it.

Seats are Recaro sport designed, leather covered in the case of the 2.0-litre SE and 2.7-litre V6, which are adjustable eight ways and provide side and lumbar support. Windows are powered, and the two top models also have a powered sunroof, as well as featuring metal trimmed foot pedals and footrest.

Cabin equipment includes drink holders, centre console with storage box, coin box, front door pockets, power point, illuminated glove box, map reading lights and overhead sunglasses holder.

Moving to the rear, the boot section is a bit of an eye-opener. Loads of room, together with an underfloor storage area, covered tool box as well as a luggage net.

Finally, last year Hyundai launched six new models, including off-roader and people carriers, and this year is introducing a diesel turbo-powered Elantra next month, a diesel Accent in May, and later in the year a super mini.

Details at a glance

Model: Hyundai Coupe.

Prices: Between £14,499 and £19,499.

Engines: 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.7-litre V6.

Performance: 1.6-litre 0-62mph 11.6-secs, top speed 115mph; 2.0-litre 0-62mph 9.2-secs, top speed 128mph; 2.7-litre 8.2-secs, top speed 136mph.

Economy (combined figures only): 1.6-litre S manual 37.2mpg; 2.0-litre manual 33.6mpg; 2.0-litre auto 31.0mpg; 2.7-litre manual 27.2mpg; 2.7-litre auto 27.4mpg.

Dimensions: Length 4395mm, height 1330mm, width 1760mm, wheelbase 2530mm.

Suspension: Front independent MacPherson strut with coil spring, anti-roll stabiliser; Rear dual link type with coil spring, anti-roll stabiliser.

Brakes: Dual diagonal, split circuit, discs, power assisted with ABS anti-lock and electronic brake force distribution.

Luggage area: 14.8 cubic feet.

Updated: 11:07 Friday, January 25, 2002