Hyundai straightens out curves

By Alastair Sloane

The curves are still there. So too are the bumps around the wheel arches. But the Hyundai coupe has had a facial.

And it looks better for it too. The new front end gives the car a more sculptured appearance, the four oval headlights above the lower grille adding an aggression lacking in the model it replaces.

The tail is sharper and each end of the boot spoiler tapers off to blend in better with the lines of the rear.

The updated, predominantly black interior includes the use of polished alloy, on the facia and the rotary dials.

Standard features include ABS anti-lock brakes, driver's airbag and CD player.

The gearbox is slick, the driving position acceptable, the suspension well sorted.

The chassis gives the impression it could cope with considerably more power than the raspy 102kW delivered by the coupe's 2-litre engine.

It probably can. Modified models of the previous coupe certainly could. The new coupe costs $31,950 for the five-speed manual and $33,950 for the four-speed automatic.