HYUNDAI has given a new look to its Coupe which has transformed Hyundai's image in the UK.

The new car enters showrooms on February 14 - St Valentine's Day - with on-the-road prices starting from £13,999 for the 1.6i. Enthusiasts will easily be able to differentiate the new Hyundai Coupe from its predecessor on the road by its redesigned front end now with twin round projection headlamps.

With minor changes to the front air dam and a newly sculpted bonnet, the 'face' of the new Hyundai Coupe is even more distinctive than before.

Other restyled features on the car include new rear light clusters, a new rear bumper, larger rear spoiler and a new five-spoke alloy wheel design. The redesign isn't confined to the outside either with a sporty new look interior.

A new metallic silver trim is now evident on the ventilation controls, gearlever and door panels, while the two-tone leather on the SE models and a revised look to the dashboard help to avoid the dark and sombre nature of some coupes' interiors.

The new Hyundai Coupe continues to use the 1.6 and 2.0-litre versions of Hyundai's modern generation 'Beta' 16-valve engine with 111 horsepower and 137 horsepower respectively.

The engine is also more comforting on the ear too, thanks to new sound-insulating measures in and around the cabin.

And, unusually for its class, Hyundai Coupe buyers also have the option of a four-speed automatic transmission as well as the standard five-speed manual.

Standard equipment includes an immobiliser, electric front windows, central locking and an RDS stereo on all models. SE-specification cars further benefit from two-tone leather upholstery, alloy wheels, air conditioning and a CD player.

As with all Hyundai cars, the Coupe comes with a three year unlimited mileage warranty and three years RAC cover.

* Hyundai is stepping up its presence in the mini-car sector with the launch of the five-door Amica.

Powered by a 55 horsepower 1.0-litre engine and mated to either a manual or automatic gearbox, the Korean-built Amica will be sold alongside the Atoz when it is launched in the UK in February.

The Amica will share major mechanicals such as suspension and transmission with the Atoz, and will be built on the same platform.

It will give Hyundai further sales growth in the rapidly growing mini-car sector.

The Amica offers a sporty, more rounded exterior styling than the Atoz that Hyundai hopes will appeal to a younger family audience.

Story date: Wednesday 02 February

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