Hyundai Coupe TSIII : SPORT IS CHEAP

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Hyundai's range-topping Coupe model looks a sound bet if the price is right. Steve Walker reports.

In some countries, haggling is a way of life but we British, well we'd rather not make a fuss if it's all the same. There are exceptions, of course, people who generally see the advertised price as a challenge to be overcome rather than a foregone conclusion. Certainly, there's little doubt that those of us who can't bear to enter into negotiations are losing out. In the automotive world, the range-topping TSIII version of Hyundai's attractive Coupe is a prime example of a car that takes on a new air of desirability once the subtle art of persuasion has been applied and its list price adjusted in a more favourable downward direction.

It does pay to know when to haggle and when to save your breath. If a dealer has a brand new model that's selling like ice cream in a heat wave at the list price, he's more likely to release the hounds or coax you onto a hidden trapdoor than offer you a discount. If, however, you're showing an interest in a slightly elderly car that's been somewhat starved of the oxygen of publicity and competing in a market packed with newer, more talented alternatives, there might be room for negotiation. The Hyundai's Coupe has been around for a while and in top spec TSIII guise, it's priced precariously close to some very desirable fast hatchbacks and affordable coupes. The difference is that unlike the Hyundai, these rivals won't be available at much of a discount. Just one petrol engine is on offer. The 2.0-litre unit isn't the most advanced or refined but offers reasonable power in the 1,300kg Coupe. The engine's quite sweet and reasonably torquey, all factors that encourage you to make the most of the car's agile handling. The sprint is accomplished in 9.3 seconds and has a top speed of 129mph using the manual gearbox.

"The Coupe has a definite old-school charm"

So what's it like to drive? The Coupe will come as something of a surprise. No, you don't get that infectious low-end shove that came with the late, lamented 2.7-litre V6, but you will almost immediately feel that there's a good deal less weight in the nose. The lightweight engine gives the Coupe a nimbleness and delicacy that the more powerful variant lacked. The brakes are also strong, firm and fade free after repeated applications. The four-cylinder engine is a touch thrashy at the top of its rev range and this deters you from wringing the last ounce of performance out of the Coupe, somewhat negating the overall competence of the car's other dynamic qualities. Never mind. Just enjoy the supple ride, and the nicely judged control weights. Upon acquaintance with this latest Coupe, you're at first drawn to its swoopy Latin styling, noting that they've managed to hit the nail firmly on the head in this department. There's a restyled front end to consider with longer, meaner headlamps, a thin `letterbox' grille and a wide air-intake below that hides revised fog lights in its corners. The trademark side gills now also have integrated side repeater lights. Inside, build quality is surprisingly good and there's a retro feel to the dÃ©cor but it's not the most modern feeling cabin you'll sit in. The instruments illuminate in blue and some of the metallic finishes look quite upmarket. The rather shameless pilfering of other manufacturer's design cues that led to the Coupe's striking exterior continues inside. True, it's a pragmatic philosophy to identify what works for others and replicate it yourself, but you can't help but think `Ford' when you see the clean metallic lines of the fascia. If anything, Hyundai has gone one further than the blue oval, with some very neat touches. The central-mounted torque gauge is somewhat gimmicky but it's interesting for a few minutes to see the torque swell as you ascend the rev range. At close to £20,000, the Hyundai Coupe TSIII was a difficult car to justify at its original price but Hyundai was obviously well aware of this fact and is now offering massive discounts on the car. At around £14,000, the sportiest Hyundai takes on a new air of desirability. You can save another £1,500 if you go for the basic Coupe model but that smacks of meanness. If you're going to have a pretty coupe, do the job properly. Which is exactly the approach of this TSIII variant. It throws in anthracite-finish alloys, quad exhaust tailpipes, a large boot spoiler, quilted leather sports seats and Eibach sport springs. That's on top of standard kit that runs to air conditioning, a six-speaker CD stereo with built-in iPod connector and central locking. At £20,000, the Hyundai Coupe must fight off competition from the market-leading hot hatchbacks and even entry-level versions of coupes like the Alfa Romeo GT and the Volkswagen Scirocco. That's a tough task for a Hyundai, no matter how well specified. At closer to £14,000, it doesn't have too many direct rivals and it certainly looks an enticing proposition next to the collection of warmed-over superminis that are around at that price point. The Hyundai Coupe engine isn't the last word in efficiency, so economy and emissions leave something to be desired. The 2.0-litre unit manages 35mpg and 193g/km, which is reasonable too. Insurance is a reasonably affordable group 10. The market tends to set its own value and in this case, public opinion decided that Hyundai's Coupe TSIII needed to sit closer to £14,000 than £19,000. This may have been a painful pill for Hyundai to swallow but it's good news if you're looking for a pretty coupe at a price that would otherwise only buy you a warmed-over supermini. There isn't much that's sportier, better equipped or more sleekly styled at that price. The Coupe has a definite old-school charm. It's a simple vehicle that gets the basics of its driving dynamics just about right and can entertain vigorously on the right road. It isn't a particularly polished proposition in the context of today's market but fully-loaded in TSIII trim, it's an intriguing and worthwhile choice.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Hyundai Coupe TSIII
PRICE: £14,295 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 193g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 124mph / 0-60mph 9.3s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 25.9mpg / (extra urban) 44.1mpg /(combined) 33.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ABS with EBD, Twin front and side airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 5395/1760/1330mm