Guess whose back... Yep, I've had my two months off and (homework forbidding), will be back in the ...
Guess whose back... Yep, I've had my two months off and (homework forbidding), will be back in the writing mood. I have plenty of new things to talk about...
Member since:03.11.2001
Reviews:115
Members who trust:67
I know this isn't directly a Coupe 2.0 review but I hope you'll percivere and read on...
Oh yes this is an exclusive review of a car that is not out until mid summer of next year. Okay I may be 15 and I obviously can’t drive the car but I have researched this car for a long time. So I hope this opinion will be enough to wet your appetite for next year because its already caused a flood in mine…
Welcome to the…
HYUNDAI COUPE 2002
I know what your saying. The Coupe is out at the moment. But this model is all new and ready to reach our shores next year. So I will rate this car as well as I can but you’ll have to bear in mind that I can’t drive the car. Don’t discount me yet though because I am a car anorak and I can talk about the next best thing…
HISTORY
The original Hyundai Coupe stormed onto a tiny small coupe market and took us Brits by storm. After some very lacklustre offerings from Hyundai – the Sonata and Accent – the Coupe came as a huge shock and wowed car journalists all over the world and was soon getting the tag, as stylish as a Ferrari for under 15k. And it was true. The California design house had done a fantastic job in making the car stand out from the crowd. Of course it was cheap and it didn’t drive too badly although the Puma soon sorted the Korean out when it came out soon after. Despite this Hyundai had finally made it big in the UK…only for them too be
forgotten again in 1999 when the replacement. The 2nd generation had been snatched from the Californians and given back to Korea where they did an awful job at trying to make it good looking. The dual headlights made the car look like it had Sue Pollard glasses, the flanks made it look like an aged Metro 64 and the wheel looked lost in the huge wheelarches. The car wasn’t bad but the styling was enough to drive anyone away and despite my Hyundai faith I thought it was a huge dissapointment. When I asked a Hyundai dealer what public response had been he gritted his teeth and lied through them saying it was very popular. But it wasn’t and soon Hyundai was lost in the mainstream market again. But they are back…
THE STATS AND FIGURES
CAR: HYUNDAI COUPE ORIGIN: KOREA ENGINES: 1.6, 2.0, 2.7V6 PRICES: 14,000 – 19,000 GEARBOXES: 4 SPEED AUTO, 5 SPEED & 6 SPEED MANUAL SPEED: 2.7V6 – 136MPH 8 SECS TO 0-60 LAUNCH: FEBRUARY 2002
STYLING - EXTERIOR
It must have dawned on Hyundai that the last Coupe was a mess because the 3rd generation has been handed over to the Americans to design their second model. With the popularity of the first model under their belt it wouldn’t be hard to do it again. The main thing you notice about the new Coupe is the size. Hyundai have ditched the small coupe sector in favour of rivalling the Toyota Celica and the Mitsubishi FTO. The larger size doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful because it is gorgeous. Bearing more than a resemblance to the classic Ferrari 456GT – even Hyundai admit that – the Coupe gets a smooth roofline leading into a sculpted rear which is dominated by the two huge chrome tail pipes jutting out of the under carriage to handle the 2.7 V6’s brute power. The front end manages to blend curves with sharp design too and it is successful. The high front end features an aggressive light formation and small lipped grille. However, it’s the little features that star including the TT style fuel filler cap, the Ferrari style side mounted air scoops and the sporty 5 spoke alloy wheels. Put all of these together and the Coupe is one of the most demanding sights on the road and will turn heads – I’ll warn you that you may get a strained neck if you look around too much!
STYLING – INTERIOR
One of the problems of the first model was the great exterior, poor interior. But Hyundai have addressed this problem by spending a lot of time, effort and money on making the Coupe III look just right. And look right it does. Once again the mix of curves and sharp edges is very apparent and they blend extremely well. The TT influence is clearer inside and the circular air vents more than lend a passing resemblence. The rest of the design is wonderful and again the little touches make the car feel special. The 3 guages showing the torque, fuel consumption and voltage are very original while the quality looks to be the best to come out of Korea possible Asia. The silver facia, drilled pedals and sculptured seats just set you up for a wonderful experiance.
ENGINES:
When the Coupe III hits the showrooms in February it’ll come with 3 engines each very potent and well run in. The first will be the regular 1.6 used in the Elantra and the current Coupe. The slightly larger body wont make the car any quicker than its current 120mph top speed but it’ll be sprightly and will save money on fuel. Next up is the second engine available in the current Coupe. The 120bhp 2 litre model will probably be the most popular offering speed as well as a bit of money left in the back pocket. Last up is the most exciting. The climb in classes has meant that the Coupe has rented a new 2.7 V6 taken from the Trajet and Santa Fe. The lighter body mated to a 6 speed gearbox all sounds great and the predicted 135mph top speed shows that Hyundai means business as they break the 130mph barrier for the first time. The 171bhp is a little less powerful than the Celica and Astra but still gives its rivals more than a match for its rivals.
VALUE FOR MONEY:
The starting price of £14,000 is incredible for a car of this size. The 1.6 model will hit the road next year with a puny price tag, which eclipses plenty of smaller – and less equipped – rivals. The 2 litre model will jump up to 16K while the big and brash V6 will hit the heights of 19k. If you want your comparisons in numbers than get this. The 2.7 is nearly £1,500 cheaper than its big rival from Toyota. It may be cheap but it certainly doesn’t skimp on kit. The entry-level 1.6 will pack dual airbags, ABS, EBD, Air conditioning and electric windows. The 2 litre adds side bags, Climate control and a CD-Player. The top of the range V6 tops the pile with traction control, cruise control, leather and electric seats. The Coupe is one of the best value cars around and that’s a fact…
OVERALL
So there you go. My first insight and probably the first opinion on the 2002 Coupe. When the car hits the streets in February expect popular demand as Hyundai will have just launched their best ever car. Potent engines, gorgeous styling, wonderful interior and incredible price means it’ll be up there next year against the best once again. Yes this really is a Ferrari for 15k.
Hope you enjoyed reading this. I hope my age isn’t too restricted and all you out there about to get your wallet out for another coupe I urge you to wait. I hope this has been useful. Autocar and Auto Express are running reviews on them too...
Remember comments are fantastic to read…
Solex/Ollie
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
The review deserves credit but this really is not a ferrari for 15000. It looks ok but that is where the similarities end. In terms of performance the ferraris are in a different league. Even in a 2.7 V6 you would struggle to beat the likes of a Citroen Saxo VTS in a race, which is never good.
If you want a performance car for 15000 go for a Civic Type R or a Seat Leon Cupra.
Saajan 11.07.2003 22:47
Excellent Op! Loved your review...but not as much as my new Car! THE HYUNDAI COUPE 2.0SE !!!! Best value Coupe and arguably the best looking Coupe in Britain today. The new style has knocked Hyundai's competitors for six. I've done a review myself ...
Lgair 30.11.2001 12:29
I'm not in the market for a new car, so don't know if your figures for pricing are right or not, but this op certainly is informative and makes the car sound very enticing. Well done. Lisa
Northgate Garage approved Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE 3dr manual in Unspecified.The car has ... more
covered 40,000 miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 35.30.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 193g/Km, What Green Car Rating of 51.
Gateway Motor Co Peugeot approved Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE 3dr manual in Unspecified.The car ... more
has covered 41,420 miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 35.30.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 193g/Km, What Green Car Ratin...
Benfield Motors Nissan&Renault approved Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE 3dr Auto automatic in ... more
Black.The car has covered 65,932 miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 33.20.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 203g/Km, What Green C...
Perrys Of Colne approved Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE 3dr manual in Silver.The car has covered ... more
37,895 miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 35.30.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 193g/Km, What Green Car Rating of 51.
Msb Skoda Darlington approved Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE 3dr manual in Red.The car has covered ... more
37,400 miles and has a manufacturer recommended combined MPG of 35.30.Additional Info: Insurance Group 10. Emission Count 193g/Km, What Green Car Rating of 51.
Advantages: good looks, great performance, good value for money Disadvantages: On a slightly negative note, the car is prone to rattles due to the low profile tyres but it's easy to ignore the odd rattle as you notice yet another person eyeing up your car......!
Jenson 05.07.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Hyundai Coupe 2.0
Advantages: good looks, great performance, good value for money Disadvantages: On a slightly negative note, the car is prone to rattles due to the low profile tyres but it's easy to ignore the odd rattle as you notice yet another person eyeing up your car......!
Jenson 05.07.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Hyundai Coupe 2.0
Advantages: Sharp drive, comfortable front seats, fantastic styling, value for money Disadvantages: Ride quality at low speeds, fuel consumption a bit high, badge may be a problem for some
kah123 10.03.2008 (15.03.2008)
·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Hyundai Coupe 2.0
Nov 22nd, 2001
very helpful by (85%):
helpful by (15%):
