Hyundai Coupe (Tiburon) 2001 - 2004 coupe
Real compartment
Small compartment in our country is not yet too popular. Even in Moscow, they are not very common. At the same time, most of these machines are controlled by women, and only occasionally, in powerful modifications, you can see men. However, no matter how powerful such cars are, they still look like a toy. Hyundai company does not suit such a state of affairs, which is evidenced by its new sports compartment.
How quickly it is time! It seems that most recently the public was first shown the concept of Hyundai HCD -II - but it happened back in 1993, in Detroit. Serial car, Hyundai Coupe, was introduced in Geneva in 1996. This work of the American design center of the company surprised everyone with a fresh and bold design. In 1999, restyling cars carried out - causing damage to appearance. Especially not a success was a success. Last year, the situation was corrected - in Frankfurt, the premiere of the second generation of Hyundai Coupe took place. This time the development is completely Korean. The design was entrusted to the young personnel of the Hyundai design center in Seoul. Everything about everything took 26 months and 230 million dollars. As already happened, the development began with the study of the merits of competitors, one of which Koreans very ambitiously consider Audi TT.
The new Coupe is slightly larger than the predecessor in all respects. General proportions and motives for shaping have been preserved, but strict, stuffy surfaces, with clear faces, came to replace the smooth, stuffy surfaces. They are especially well read in silver metallics. Now this is the main color for Coupe, the previous model was red for them.
Despite the cutting of the body, the aerodynamic resistance coefficient decreased to 0.342 - this is better than that of the recognized leaders of Audi TT (0.353) and Ford Cougar (0.345). The appearance has become more aggressive and swift thanks to the ascending substetricians, sharp faces and developed aerodynamic skirts. The base increased by 55 mm, mainly due to a decrease in the front history, now it is not so massive. But the wheels, as in the First Coupe, seem small for such a muscular body - despite their 16 -inch size.
To match appearance and filling. Now, in addition to the 1.6- and 2-liter four, it is possible to install a V-shaped 2.7-liter 167-horsepower six, which is supplied with Sonata and Santa Fe. True, for some reason, the cave control program was not changed - a long -legged motor thrust, but without a sports note. A new transmission has also appeared-a 4-speed H-Tronic machine gun with a manual mode, developed together with Porsche, and a 6-speed mechanics, aggregated only with a V-shaped six. The rear suspension is now on double transverse levers. Everything, as they say, is an adult way.
I open the door. Inside - Volkswagen and Audi, in particular, Audi TT: steering wheel, device combination, front panel plastic as a whole, console, central ducts, even buttons. For complete happiness, there are not enough aluminum supports of the central console. It should be noted that the previous version of the interior was more original, but the current one is completely in harmony with the exterior - the same swift faces and hooks. And also bribes truly Volkswagen quality of materials and fitting elements. Dear, silent, pleasant to the touch plastic, an excellent imitation of polished metal, metal perforated pedals. Leather seats - Recaro ... A unique detail - three dials of industrial design on the central console. The average shows the instant fuel consumption, the right - voltage in the on -board network. But the left ... you will never guess - the torque of the engine! It is difficult to say how this device works. And it is completely incomprehensible what practical benefits can be extracted from his testimony. But the fact that no one else has this is for sure.
In addition to two front airbags, the standard includes two more side ones. Driving seats adjustments - minimum, all mechanical, the steering wheel is set only along the angle of inclination, but finding your landing is not very difficult. With ergonomics, too, no problems, all in place. Unless the knitting needles of the steering wheel are thick, the hands have to be held either higher or below the optimal position.
The interior is relatively spacious, there is enough space both in width and in height - but only for a person of medium complexion. The rear seats +2, despite convenient access, justify their folk name - children's (mainly due to lack of place in height). But the trunk is quite decent, its large cover is unlocked in the button in the cabin. The central castle only works with the key - there is no remote control.
In the success of Coupe, the consumer had to make sure even the test. It turned out in the car dealership that a copy with a 2.7-liter engine that we were aimed at was just sold. I had to be content with a 2-liter version, with the sensational Porshakovsky machine gun. But this is even for the better - both previous Coupe models that were in our hands were equipped with the same engines (motor # 12, 1997 and # 3, 2000).
The dynamics did not hit, 138 forces, not without difficulty, disperse almost one and a half tons of living weight. Tangible acceleration - only in the first gear, with the transition to the second, it becomes sluggish. You can’t call the box either Shustro, too, it hangs a little. The manual regime, of course, dilutes boredom, allowing you to use the capabilities of the motor more efficiently, but the speed of switching up has not increased. But down is another matter, before turning you manage to sink one or two transmissions, slow down, and then, without wasting time on switching, you add at the exit. In the urban stream, manual mode is almost useless, the constantly high engine speed is tiring, and it is quite vocal. A more bass exhaust would not interfere. The news of Coupe is almost heavenly pleasure. The minimum angles of rotation of the steering wheel (from the end of the end - a little more than two and a half revolutions), a quick reaction, no rolls. The car clings confidently to the road - goes to where you go. The rotation is insufficient, close to neutral. At the limit, under the discharge of gas, there is a light absence of the rear axle, easily adjusted by the steering wheel and traction. A very understandable car. Despite the small base, Coupe is equally confident in the high -speed straight line, not annoying (even when you get up to 200 km/h) and preserving the elastic steering wheel.
Of course, you have to pay comfort for this pleasure. The suspension is tough, however, you can’t call it stool. Dumb - no extraneous knocks. There were no breakdowns even on serious bumps. However, it is better to be more careful with tram tracks, and the hatches and potholes go around (despite a significant road clearance) - both the suspension and the wheels (tires - low 205/55R16) will be hungry. Again - enjoy the sharp steering wheel again ...
The brakes are convenient in work and optimal in effectiveness. That's just ABS grabs it early, not really trusting the driver, that seriously their effectiveness reduces. This is especially noticeable in corners, when the inner wheels are unloaded and easier to block.
Noise insulation for this class is very high quality - it absorbs noise from the road and from the engine, significantly hiding the real speed. Of the aerodynamic foci, large faceted rear -view mirrors clearly stand out. By the way, in spite of a deep landing, there are no complaints about visibility. It would be a mistake to perceive the Hyundai Coupe ode in the role of a sports coup. Coupe is not the present, although it looks just that. Enjoying the controllability of the car relate to his behavior in standard road conditions, and not on the racing highway. But for racing it is not intended. And in general, if you get a report on some test drive of a modern machine of any decent manufacturer (and there are almost no indecent ones left), where its handling is scolded, be sure that this car was driven beyond what it is intended for.
Hyundai Coupe is a compartment for real life. Good suspension and steering, aggressive modern appearance, convenient salon. The quality of execution is outside of criticism. A version with a 2 -liter engine and automatic ($ 25,000) is rather female. It seems that a 2.7-liter six with 6-speed mechanics ($ 28,000) will turn it into a decent choice for men-medium height.
Test: Sergey Yakubov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 3/2000]
