Hyundai Coupe S111
Hyundai Coupe S111 - Hyundai have turned up the heat in the kitchen with their latest re-vamp on the highly successful Coupe by unveiling the third generation S111 that is the hottest looking car Hyundai have produced.
This is surly bound to stir other manufacturers up the wrong way for not only has the Hyundai Coupe S111 all the right ingredients to warrant its hot status, it comes with a price tag so liberal, your neighbours will think you have won the lottery.
And indeed you may just well feel that for this third incarnation has been completely re-designed to boast even better looks thanks to the entirely new front end that features gorgeous elongated headlights, a bolder grille and new fog lights while the new side air vents incorporate the indicator lights. As the lovely lines flow over the body down towards the rear this S111 really does have the attributes of a car more expensive car while the integrated twin tailpipes and rear spoiler gives a little peep as to what is under the bonnet. 17-inch alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, door handles and mirrors add the finishing touches to this truly stylish coupe.
New colours are available from the standard red to the metallic options at an extra cost and my test car came in the Continental Silver further accentuating a more expensive car.
Stepping inside the Coupe S111 and the smell of leather wafts up your nostrils from all the seats including the height adjustable drivers, gear knob, seat facings, door trims and height adjustable steering wheel. Hyundai have the reputation for producing remarkable cars packed with on board toys at a snip of a price and the S111 is no exception. On the top of the range model I was testing, the 2.7 litre V6 Auto, I had everything I needed, climate control, heated seats, cruise control, electric and heated door mirrors, electric windows, plus the handy internal release for fuel and boot. Then I had the fantastic CD player with iPod compatible, the port found conveniently in the centre armrest.
But even the entry level 1.6 litre is heavily equipped, stands in at £15,745 and fall into insurance group 8A meaning your teenage children could actually afford to be insured in one of the coolest Coupes around. Perish the thought. I will reveal the price tag on this test car later as I intend to get your lips salivating with desire.
Despite being a Coupe, there are plenty of storage spaces to safely house all our bits and pieces we need from door pockets, cup holders, a large glove box and deep compartments hidden in the front armrest. For the rear passengers is a pocket behind the front seats and in the side panel while the boot area has a hefty 418 litres of space complete with luggage net and light.
Purring the Coupe into life is a 2.7 litre V6 DOHC 24-valve engine mated to a four speed automatic transmission – 6- speed manual is available but I love automatics in a Coupe, giving a top speed of 135 mph, taking just 8.6 seconds to reach 62 mph. Fuel consumptions is not bad at 35 mpg on a combined cycle, while CO2 emissions stand in at 247 g/km. She is a lovely car to drive, with a solid suspension unit keeping her firmly on the road, and power assisted rack and pinion steering that takes just 2.57 turns lock to lock ensuring the parking bays are conquered. Which they would be apart from the fact visibility to the side rear is appalling and at times frustrating, as the rear quarter lights are too high coupled with thick rear pillars. So just make sure the drivers seat is up to its highest point and go very, very slowly.
However help is at hand if it does go wrong, with the extensive list of safety and security features the Hyundai Coupe S111 comes with as standard across the entire range. Ensuring passenger safety are front airbags, adjustable front head restraints, seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, height adjustable on the front seats plus a collapsible steering column to minimise the risk of chest injuries and impact absorbing ribbing plus cushioning on all pillars to help reduce head injuries. The body of the Coupe contains cross member reinforcements while the frame has been designed to disperse the energy created by a collision seven ways from the occupants to the side sills.
On top of all this, the Coupe S111 comes with ABS; Electronic Brakeforce Distribution while the V6 gains ESP and a Traction Control System. All Coupes have an engine immobiliser plus central locking, the V6 adding on a Thatcham category 1 alarm as well as automatic headlights and an automatic dimming rear view mirror thus falls into a respectable insurance group of 14A.
What are we looking at price wise, 35K? 30K for that’s what you would expect a car with all this to be. But no, try £20,597 and pick yourself up from the floor!
In case you are thinking ‘cheap and cheerful must mean it will fall apart quickly’ Hyundai have so much faith in the Coupe S111, all models come with a five year unlimited warranty, six year anti-perforation warranty and three year Hyundai RAC Assistance.
Peace of mind for the UK motorists? That will be the Hyundai Coupe S111.
FemaleFirst Jackie Violet