The Hyundai Coupe is a sports coupe manufactured and marketed by the South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai between 1996 and 2008.
History of the Hyundai Coupe
Hyundai Coupe (1996–1999)
Hyundai unveiled a concept car called the HCD-II in 1993, and buyers were impressed, leading the company to approve the Coupe. When Hyundai was still a relatively unknown brand, the company worked tirelessly to get its name there. The Coupe range debuted after other carmakers introduced facelifts and established a place in the sport coupe market—a rousing triumph, to say the least. The Coupe was available with a five-speed manual gearbox as a standard feature. The 2.0L model has a four-speed automatic transmission.
Hyundai Coupe (1999–2001)
The Coupe, which debuted in 1995, was a hit in the coupe market because of its distinctive design. The coupe needed a comprehensive redesign because the old model was about to become out of date. Because of the Coupe's distinctive design, it was easy to recognize when driving one. Interior features include dual front airbags, leather upholstery, windows, electric door locks, and cruise control. The FX's top-of-the-line trim level included ABS as an option. The Coupe wasn't just about aesthetics; it also had to compete with the likes of Honda and Toyota in terms of affordability. It was a reasonably priced vehicle that included a lot of extras that weren't available in more expensive variants. The 1.6L and 2.0L engines, each producing 111 hp and 137 hp, were available to buyers. Even though the engines weren't the most powerful, they made the Coupe a blast to drive.
Hyundai Coupe (2001–2004)
To be taken more seriously, Hyundai needed a car that looked good, performed well, and was reasonably priced. All of these were included in the Hyundai Coupe, unveiled in 2001. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, while an automatic transmission was available for an additional $800. Unlike other coupes fitted with a fully independent sports suspension, the Coupe, four-wheel disc brakes, and ABS were reasonably priced. The Coupe's trunk was unexpectedly big, making a vacation in the sporty car a breeze. There were two engine options for the coupe: a 1.6L and a 2.0L. The 1.6L engine delivered acceptable power despite its lack of tremendous acceleration. The 2.0L engine produced 140 horsepower.
Hyundai Coupe (2004–2007)
When Hyundai redesigned the Coupe model in 2004, it added more efficient engines and dropped the 1.6L variant. Following the Ford Probe and Toyota Celica's retirement, the Coupe was one of the last budget-coupe automobiles in 2004. As a result, the Korean automaker made its vehicle more appealing to buyers by enhancing its handling and powertrain. The front end of the automobile underwent several modifications. The automaker has updated the center stack with intuitive controls for the climate-control unit inside the vehicle. When it comes to powertrains, Hyundai ditched the 1.6L unit in favor of the 2.0L. The 167-horsepower 2.7L V-6 engine remained the car's best performance.
Hyundai Coupe (2007–2009)
The Coupe (also called the Tiburon) was Hyundai's first entry into the sport-coupe market. Hyundai has a long history of providing excellent warranties and high-quality features at lower prices than its competitors. New taillights, headlights, and restyled exhaust pipes were all part of the 2007 model facelift. The GS, GT, GT Limited, and SE were the four Coupe trim levels.
Price
In 2008, Hyundai retailed the Coupe model with a starting price of $17,270 for the base model. The company also offered more trims with higher price points depending on the model.
- GS - $17,270 ($23,190 in 2022)
- GT - $20,170 ($27,084 in 2022)
- SE - $22,620 ($30,374 in 2022)
- GT Limited - $22,770 ($30,575 in 2022)
Features
The SE's 17-inch alloy wheels are attractive, with a starburst 12-spoke pattern that resembles six gingerbread men merged at the neck and joined together. The lines of the Hyundai Tiburon are elegant and sculpted. It seems to be sliding downhill from the side or three-quarters of the back profile. A sharp crease runs along the front fascia from just over the door handle to below the headlight on either side, rising steeply from the rear tire. A crevice accentuates the crease's slope at the rocker surface. Because of all the sheet metal sculpting, the automobile seems forward-leaning. The seats include lumbar, and seat bottom comfort and are highly bolstered. If you're looking for good leather with a beautiful fabric insert, go no further. The leather-wrapped steering wheel provides a comfortable grip despite its hefty three spokes. Cool blue backlighting bathes the instruments. You'll find a display for the odometer and speed limit between the speed and tachometers. Temperature and fuel gauges are also located between the two. The panel's gunmetal embellishments brighten it up. There are two large circular temperature vents at the top of the center stack and two smaller ones on the dash. The cooling system worked well. The standard accessories are arranged in a row down the middle, each having simple controls that won't take you too long to figure out.
- Cupholders
- A Small Glovebox
- Door Pockets
- A Small Single-Chamber Console
- Power Windows
- Doors and Heated Mirrors
- Air Conditioning
- Keyless Entry
- Tilt Steering
- A 220-Watt Kenwood MP3 Sound System
- XM Satellite Radio
- Fog Lamps
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cruise Control (Premium Package - $1150)
- A Power Tilt-And-Slide Glass Sunroof
Optional features are as follows:
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Brake Assist and Traction Control
- Red Front Brake Calipers
- A High Rear Spoiler
- Aluminum Pedals
- Red Leather Seats With Black Cloth Inserts
- Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System
- Cargo Net
- Carpeted Floor Mats
- Mud Guards
- Sunroof Wind Deflector
- Wheel Locks
Specs and Performance of the Hyundai Coupe
Hyundai used three different gasoline engines for the Coupe model:
- 1.6L Alpha II
- 2.0L Beta II
- 2.7L Delta
The 2.7L engine delivers 165–172 hp (123–128 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb-ft (245 Nm) at 4,000 rpm of torque. The model accelerates from 0-62 mph (100 kph) in 8.2 seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph (220 kph). Hyundai manufactured the Coupe model with a front-wheel-drive (FWD) drivetrain and three transmissions: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, and 4-speed automatic.
Release Date
Hyundai released the Coupe model in 1996, and the carmaker discontinued the model in 2009 in Europe, the Middle East, and South Korea, and 2008 in the United States.