Class coupe

First is the Coupe, which is now outselling the Toyota Celica and Audi TT here, is to receive a stylish facelift to keep it ahead of the game.

Having already won over many customers with its blend of styling, handling, high equipment levels and prices, the new look Coupe will hit UK showrooms early in the new year.

The latest improvements include a front end with a more aggressive look, with new headlights, grille, and an entirely new front bumper with larger air intake. The side has a slightly altered profile with different intake vents, while the rear light clusters have also been redesigned. New 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels complete the picture.

There are also some styling improvements to the interior, including sportier aluminium effect for the air vent surrounds and door handles.

When the facelifted Coupe goes on sale, prices are expected to be similar to the present model, which starts at £14,495 on-the-road.

The Coupe will continue to be sold with Hyundai's five year unlimited mileage, fully transferable warranty - still unmatched by any other manufacturer.

Hyundai's wider, taller and roomier Sonata is all set to cause a 'big' hit when it goes on sale in the UK next spring.

The new model is 55mm longer than the present model, and its wheelbase has been extended by 30mm. Front legroom is up by 10mm, and rear legroom by 30mm. The front and rear tracks are also significantly wider, which together with a lower ride height gives the car a more aggressive stance than the current model.

A new range of engines will feature, including a newly developed 2.4-litre "Theta" petrol engine, a potent "Lambda" 3.3-litre V6, while an all new 2.0-litre common rail turbo diesel will follow. The exact engine line up and transmissions for the UK have yet to be announced.

The new 2.4-litre unit has 161PS of power on tap at 5800rpm, while the 3.3-litre V6 produces 233PS at 6200rpm. This unit is mated to a new five speed H-matic gearbox (which allows the driver to switch between a manual or full automatic), while the diesel is being developed with a six speed manual or four speed automatic.

All Sonata models will come with front, side and rear curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and three three-point seatbelts in the rear.

Now on to its fifth generation, the Sonata is Korea's best selling car, as well as one of the USA's top sellers.

Worldwide Hyundai expects to sell 230,000 Sonatas in 2005. UK prices will be announced closer to the on sale date.

Finally, Hyundai has moved into the top three in Warranty Direct's annual reliability index - jumping three places and leapfrogging some of the best regarded European makes.

Hyundai went from sixth to third, ahead of Ford in fourth, and leaving such names as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Toyota trailing.

Warranty Direct's annual Reliability Index (www.reliabilityindex.co.uk), which looks at 30,000 vehicles from 27 leading manufacturers, combines the number of faults a car suffers alongside the actual cost of repairing them.

With an average of 46,500 miles, the majority of the vehicles under the spotlight were entering into the fourth and fifth years of ownership. The average repair bill stood at £321.82.

Hyundai was one of only four manufacturers to improve their standing in the survey and along with Volkswagen (which was still only 10th in the survey) made the greatest leap upwards.

Figures comparing the number of repair claims against warranty policies issued, saw Hyundai in sixth place at 22.3 per cent, only 4.4 per cent behind table toppers Mazda, but a massive 23.9 per cent ahead of last placed Land Rover.

The survey stated: "The Far East remains number one for reliability, with eight of the top ten manufacturers analysed by independent automotive warranty firm, Warranty Direct, from either Japan or Korea."

Duncan McClure Fisher, of Warranty Direct, added: "The Far East is still home to the most reliable and cost effective, manufacturers in the world."

Updated: 08:59 Friday, October 08, 2004