Hyundai Coupe

##hyucou.jpg --Right##AVAILABLE with 1.6 and 2.0-litre engines and with I and SE trim, the new Coupe is an incredibly pleasurable drive. And it is much, much quieter than the F2 Evolution, thanks to extra soundproofing. Put your foot down hard and it will roar into life and with responsive, but not too light steering, it refuses to be upset by rough cornering and stays stuck to the road.

The car has new front and rear ends, a newly-sculpted bonnet and lights, a new rear bumper, larger rear spoiler and five-spoke wheel design. Inside, the gloomy black plastic has been replaced by lighter-coloured materials and there is a metallic silver industrial aluminium finish for ventilation controls, gearlever and door panels. A four-speed automatic transmission is available, as well as standard five-speed manual, and safety features have been improved. A depowered driver's airbag is fitted as standard, as are upgraded seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters and dual side impact bars.

The car tested was the 2.0-litre 137bhp variant and if the 1.6 111bhp is anything like as good then at the amazing starting price of £13,999 this is the coupe to beat. Snap one up quickly, because the Coupe, launched in 1996, is approaching the end of its shelf-life. At the end of 2001 it will be replaced by what Hyundai bosses are calling a Ferrari 456-lookalike powered by a 2.7 V6 engine.