Hyundai’s Triple Treat

In an event marked by scowling fashion models swaggering down the catwalk, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., the country’s official Hyundai distributor, introduced to the market three of its newest products; two stately four-door sedans and a sizzling coupe that’s been making raves in every corner of the world where it’s sold.

Sitting rather unassumingly at one of Westin Philippine Plaza’s ballrooms last November 10 were the Hyundai XG luxury car, its slightly less upscale sibling the Sonata, and the utterly attractive Coupe. Parked motionless on the carpeted floors, the cars were delights on their own rights and definitely didn’t need any strutting-models-on-the-catwalk gimmickry.

On one corner was the Sonata, whose previous iteration was sold in the country some years back. The new Sonata appears bigger than its predecessor, and retains its formal look. But now, the car is more chiseled, its lines more defined. On second thought, it’s more accurate to say the Sonata now has lines, unlike the old one’s ovoid overload styling theme. Hyundai defines the new Sonata’s look as neo-retro.

Hyundai packed the new Sonata with convenience features, the company mentioning tilt-adjustable steering column, speed-sensitive power steering and electrically operated trunk and fuel filler cap releases in particular.

Power for this Hyundai baby comes from a 2.0-liter DOHC engine that makes 131 horsepower, and is mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox that features the H-matic mode shifting, Hyundai’s version of the "manumatic" shifter which allows the driver to change gears like it were a manual transmission but with clutch pedal-less operation.

The Sonata rides on independent double wishbones in front and independent multilink suspension in the rear. Stabilizer bars are fitted on both ends. Stopping duties are taken care of by ABS-equipped four-wheel disc brakes, while wheels are large 16-inch alloys shod in 205/60 VR16 Michelin rubbers.

Parked with the Sonata was big brother XG. Hyundai said the XG is designed to satisfy the highest expectation of style and performance, a statement at every turn, whatever that means. Hyundai also said the XG offers a multitude of amenities in its cabin, which is richly appointed with quality materials like faux burled walnut trim. In fact, every detail in the XG’s interior helps define the atmosphere of quality befitting a luxury sedan, according to Hyundai.

The XG’s interior features an integrated memory seat system, illuminated vanity mirrors, a center console, a fully automatic temperature control system, 60/40 split rear seats and electro-luminescent gauges, a nifty device found on the instrument panels of upscale cars.

Under the XG’s hood is a 2.5-liter V6 engine that’s fitted with Hyundai’s version of a variable intake system called the VIS. Hyundai said VIS boosts low to medium range torque without affecting fuel consumption. This 172-horsepower engine is bolted to a four-speed automatic transmission which also has the H-matic feature. The XG shares identical suspension and wheel-and-tire combination setup with the Sonata, as well as its ABS four-wheel discs system.

Taking centerstage was the Coupe. Hyundai’s all-new Coupe — whose previous version was also available locally — is a stunner. While the old model sports an alienating love-it-or-utterly-detest-it look, the new Coupe is definitely gorgeous. Sporty but not outright aggressive, its details are exquisite, its proportion near perfect. In fact, it bears a bit of resemblance to a Ferrari 456. Which isn’t altogether surprising. The Coupe is penned at the studios of Pininfarina. Well, the previous Coupe was reportedly designed there as well, but maybe the stylist was running late for a date and had to turn in a design pronto.

Up in front, beneath the Coupe’s curvy-yet-defined sheetmetal, lies a 2.0 liter engine that’s equipped with Hyundai’s Continuously Variable Valve Timing technology that churns out 143 horsepower. This is combined with a four-speed automatic transmission that also has Hyundai’s "shiftronix" technology, basically the same feature found on the XG and Sonata.

The Coupe uses a MacPherson struts setup in front and dual link type at the rear, also with stabilizer bars fore and aft. Brakes are huge 15-inch ventilated discs in front and 14-inch solid discs at the rear, ABS-equipped of course. Though fitted with similarly-sized 16-inch wheels as the XG and Sonata, the Coupe’s alloys are sports car staple five-spoke ones, and its rubbers are more aggressive 205/55 Michelins. And, as with the other two Hyundais, the Coupe is covered by a three-year, 100,000 kilometer warranty, which gives an insight to Hyundai’s mindset on the durability of their products.

Meanwhile, as rich in details as the Coupe’s exterior is its interior. Contoured bucket seats dominate the layout, complimented by a three-spoke steering wheel and the form-follows-function simplicity of the dashboard and instrument clusters. An equally simple gearshift ringed by a shiny metal-looking stuff of some sort add pizzazz — and it’s a short throw shifter to boot. Shiny metallic pedals, which includes a footrest/brace, are thankfully the glitziest stuff inside. Plus, the Coupe actually has a usable backseat, so Daddy has a car that can take the wife and kids but does not scream "Dadmobile". Or at least, it does not seem to do so while parked on the ballroom floor.

Dadmobile or not, though, it can’t be denied the Coupe was the star of the show — scowling fashion models notwithstanding.