© Price as tested $11,695 © Base price $10,995 © Type 2 door, + pass. coupe © Layout transverse front engine/ front wheel drive © Engine 1.5 lire SOHC 4 cylinder w/MPI © Horsepower 82 @ 5500 rpm © Transmission 5 spd. manual/4 spd. auto. ° Tires P17§/70OR-13 radials © Curb weight 981 kg/2,163 Ibs. © Wheelbase 2,383 mm/93.8 in. © Length 4,213 mm/165.9 in. © Width 1,626 mm/64.0 in. » Height 1,328 mm/52.3 in. © Trunk space 2,551/9.0 cu.ft. ® Fuel economy avg. 8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg. « Warranty Basic 3 yrs/60,000 km Major components 5 yrs/80,000 km VES Friday, January 11, 1991 - North Shore News - 15 Photos submitted HYUNDAI SCOUPE Sporty coupe looks good and is priced right SPORTY COUPES are often described as ‘‘fun to drive’, ‘‘youthful’’, ‘‘sty- lish’’, and ‘‘nimble.”’ The 1991 Hyundai Scoupe (pronounced ‘scoop’) comfortably fits these adjectives but one word sums it up better than the rest: “‘affordable.’’ Priced at feast $2,000 cheaper than any comparable 2+2 sporty coupe in its class, the Scoupe should prove attractive to young, 44 The Scoupe offers a sporty flair within the budget of people who might otherwise have to settle for 4a mundane economy car. 99 single buyers who want a sporty car without a fancy price. Essentially, the Scoupe is a front-wheel-drive, four-seat sub- conipact coupe based on the Ex- cel, Hyundai's subcompact econemy car. It shares the same 82 horsepower, fuel-injected 1.5 litre four cylinder engine as the Excel, but the suspension, styling and interior have been revised to reflect a sportier flavor. Styling cues include a low, aerodynamic nose. a high rear BASED ON the subcompact Excel, the front-wheel-drive Hyundai Scoupe has improved handling and ride, sporty styi- ing and is priced lower than most sporty coupes in its class. deck with spoiler (LS model), col- or-keyed bumpers, and muscular fender bulges. Tinted, flush win- dow glass and blacked-out win- dow pillars help emphasize the streamlined look. Like most Hyundais, the Scoupe offers a considerable amount of standard equipment for a low price. The base model has a standard five-speed transmission, reclining front bucket seats and a split rear seat for access to the trunk, and an AM/FM stereo cassette. Rear three-point safety belts and child seat anchor are also standard equipment. The sug- gested retail price of the base Scoupe is $10,995. The LS model adds power steer- ing, attractive alloy wheels, larger 14° radial tires, rear spoiler, pop-up sunroof, power windows, power outside mirrors, adjustable tilt steering wheel, and interior console. Its suggested price is $12,895. The significant thing about the LS model is that the combined value of its options are worth far more than what Hyundai is asking for them. The LS is by far the better value, and it looks and handles better too. An electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission with cockpit-adjustable Power and Economy modes is optional. Air conditioning and cruise control are also available. On the road, the Scoupe is a comfortable performer, though not overly powerful. Most im- pressive is the comfortable ride, resistance to sidewinds, and balanced handling. Also notewor- thy is the almost complete lack of wind noise at cruising speeds, highly unusual in a small car. Greg Wilson TEST DRIVE There is some engine and tire noise seepage, though. The engine turns over 3,000 rpm at 100 km/h on the flat, which is high for fifth gear. The non power-assisted steering on the base model is heavy at low speeds, and ! highly recommend customers order the optional power steering. The Scoupe is economical, get- ting 44 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg in city driving, under ideal driving conditions. Warranty coverage ig on par with other import cars. The basic warranty is for three years or 60,000 kilometres, and the major component warranty is for five years or 80,000 kilometres. Though the Scoupe is not a true sports coupe, it offers a sporty flair within the budget of people who might otherwise have to settle for a mundane economy car.