Lets face it, two-doors cars are more fun and better looking than sedans. But you don’t have to break the bank to drive around in a stylish coupe.
We have a list of the top 10 most affordable two-doors, starting at just under $26,000. We had to draw the line and not include any hatchbacks, like the Scion tC or Fiat 500. Still, you’ll find plenty of big and small coupes in this list, each providing great looks or driving dynamics.
Hyundai has just taken the wraps off of the Elantra Coupe zombie survival machine at San Diego’s Comic-Con, and it looks ready for anything anyone -living or dead- could throw at it.
Hyundai is teaming up with the creator of the comic book series The Walking Dead, to create a specially outfitted Elantra coupe, ready for all the obstacles a zombie apocalypse has to offer.
Set to be unveiled later today at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai is expanding its Elantra lineup with a two-door coupe.
De-dooring the Elantra is part of the company’s strategy to pull younger buyers in who they say are willing to sacrifice practicality for coupe appeal. It’s also a product targeted squarely at the Honda Civic Coupe, which has retained its dominance in the category despite rivals like the Kia Forte Koup and Scion tC.
The coupe is pretty-much the same as the sedan, featuring standard Hyundai sensibilities like heated seats, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and more.
In keeping with the push toward a younger crowd, the Coupe gets a few sport-inspired touches, though people purchasing these cars are anything but track junkies. The same 1.8-liter 148-hp four delivers power to the front wheels with Hyundai’s homemade six-speed manual or automatic.
The Coupe won’t however, join the rest of the 40-mpg club in Hyundai’s lineup, missing the bar slightly with a 39 mpg highway rating. Still, a 33 mpg average isn’t half bad and driving enthusiasts can get there with an entertaining 6-speed stick.
Consumers can choose from two trim levels, the base GS or premium SE. Both come with generous standard equipment, but the nicer accouterments like leather seats remain reserved for SE buyers. The wheels also get an inch bigger for the SE, growing from 16 to 17 inches. Finally, an optional technology package is again withheld from the lower-end model but includes a 7-inch infotainment system, rear-view camera, an upgraded stereo and other cool stuff like proximity key entry, push-button start and more.
The sportier SE model gets a stiffer suspension that Hyundai says is designed for the car’s lower-profile tires. Despite getting the coupe treatment, the EPA classifies this as a mid-size car, which is interesting because it competes directly with compacts like the Honda Civic coupe and Kia Forte Koup which are both badged as compacts. Hyundai says it will deliver the best of both worlds (two door sex appeal and rear passenger roominess).
Regardless of the extra bulk, the car still manages to wiggle in between the Honda and Kia’s power to weight ratios, meaning customers can walk *erm drive away without feeling much buyer’s remorse.
For more on the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, see our complete coverage here.
Watch video of the Elantra Coupe below:
Did you think that every automaker’s secrets were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit? Think again.
At least ten new models will debut at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, which kicks-off this Wednesday, February 8th. Here’s a quick round up of what to expect:
The ILX Sports Sedan will debut, and replace the TSX. The new ILX will be based on Honda’s Civic platform, and share the powertrain choices. Additionally, the ILX will show off three engines, including a Hybrid. The ILX will be targeted towards a younger crowd, and is being called a “gateway” to the luxury brand lineup.
Joining the ILX will be a new RDX. The popular SUV will be redesigned and will show off a wider track, a longer wheelbase and a new V6 engine. The RDX will be showing off some new technologies as well, including Pandora Internet Radio, and a Text-to-Speech SMS voice texting.
See the rest of our Chicago Auto Show preview below:
During a technical briefing at the company’s technical center in Ann Arbor, MI, Hyundai has given journalists a first peak at the upcoming Elantra Coupe. Billed as a preview of future products for next week’s LA Auto Show and Detroit Auto Show in January, Hyundai Motor America CEO announced that the official unveiling for the car won’t come until the Chicago Auto Show in February.
Unfortunately we can’t share photos of the car, but we can promise the sedan’s flowing lines work even better on the coupe – which might have the most elegantly executed Bangle-butt style rear decklid we’ve ever seen.
Along with styling changes, look for a slightly sportier overall car than the 4-door. “We’re going to do some things to turn the knob,” said Hyundia Motor America CEO John Krafcik. “We’re not turning it up to 10. We’re turning it from 3.5 to 4.5.” That said, look for small changes like sportier gear ratios to help deliver slightly better acceleration numbers.
One of the first slots on the auto show calendar is reserved for the LA Auto Show and the event continues to grow as a showcase for major reveals, not just convertibles. Having always had a green-car focus, the increased attention that market segment is now getting has also pushed the show into the spotlight.
For 2011 the event promises 17 world premieres, including the Infiniti JX luxury crossover, as well as the Hyundai Elantra Coupe and Azera. Other world premiers will come from Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Volkswagen, as well as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Lincoln. Ford will show three all-new cars while General Motors will unveil two.
As for North American debuts, look for the BMW i3 and i8, the Mazda CX-5 and a new Volvo concept car.
In addition, the LA Auto Show will host the Green Car of the Year award, as well as the Green Car Ride and Drive.
Media days for the event are November 16 and 17, so look for AutoGuide’s live coverage then.
Hyundai dealers were reportedly shown a coupe version of the Elantra compact, set to debut in spring, as well as a new Azera full-size sedan that will go on sale in the fall.
While Hyundai officials would not confirm or deny the Elantra Coupe’s existence, one dealer told Automotive News that an image of the car was presented and it was “gorgeous”.
The Azera, which replaces the long-in-the-tooth current version, will get a 3.3L direct-injection V6 that makes 260 horsepower. The Korean market Grandeur, which was unveiled recently, should provide a good idea of what the Azera will look like.
[Source: Automotive News]
