Hyundai Coupé

By Ross Pinnock

28th November 2007

These pictures will have Hyundai top brass in a rage! At the Los Angeles Motor Show last week, the company unveiled a concept version of the car that will replace the ageing Coupé. But now, our spy photographers have snapped the production model. They captured the sleek newcomer at a customer clinic in the US, so you don’t have to wait until the car is officially unveiled next year to see what’s in store.

And the special viewing – which was designed to gauge reaction to the new model’s shape – left no doubt about the car which Hyundai regards as the main competitor to its new two-door. That’s because the silver model was lined up alongside a Ford Mustang in a similar colour.

The Concept Genesis Coupé seen on the stands in LA wore orange and black two-tone paintwork, and these pictures show that minimal changes have been made to the bodywork for production. The roadgoing model retains the show car’s unusual kinked window line behind the door, and the prominent creases that run along the side. Its low-set front grille, slanted headlamps and wraparound tail-lights have also made the cut.

However, the sporty air intakes that were placed ahead of the concept’s rear wheels will be axed for the final model. Inside is a 2+2 layout, while build and materials are said to be better than on any previous Hyundai.

With rear-wheel drive and a choice of V6 or 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines, the new coupé will provide impressive performance. It’s scheduled to hit UK showrooms early in 2009, priced from around £25,000.

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