Hyundai Scoupe
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Scoupe.jpg
| name = Hyundai Scoupe
| manufacturer = Hyundai Motor Company
| production = 1990–1995
| class = Sports car
| body_style = 2-door coupe
| engine = {{ubl
| 1.5 L Alpha I4
}}
| transmission = {{ubl
| 5-speed manual
| 4-speed automatic
}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2385|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4215|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1625|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1330|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| assembly = South Korea: Ulsan (Hyundai Precision Products)
| successor = Hyundai Tiburon
| aka =
| related = Hyundai Excel (X2)
| layout = FF layout
}}
The Hyundai Scoupe, also called the Hyundai S-Coupe, is a 2-door coupé produced by South Korean manufacturer Hyundai from 1990 to 1995, and based on the contemporaneous Hyundai Excel. The name, a portmanteau of "sporty" and "coupe," was pronounced "scoop".
History
{{multiple image |align=left |direction=vertical |title=Original (1990–92)
|image1=1991 Hyundai Scoupe 1.5i GTX Automatic 001.jpg |caption1=Rear
|image2=1991 Hyundai Scoupe 1.5i GTX Automatic 013.jpg |caption2=Interior
|image3=1991 Hyundai Scoupe 1.5i GTX Automatic 021.jpg |caption3=Close-up of model badging and taillight
}}
Development of what would become the Scoupe started in 1985. At the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, Hyundai exhibited a prototype which was named the "Sports-looking Car" (SLC) concept.{{Cite web|title=Before N - 스쿠프 #1 - Before N - N - 고성능 N - TECH - 브랜드 스토리 - 브랜드 {{!}} 현대자동차|url=https://www.hyundai.com/kr/ko/brand/brandstory/tech/high-performance-n/about-n/before-n/scoupe1|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Hyundai|language=ko|archive-date=2022-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102111012/https://www.hyundai.com/kr/ko/brand/brandstory/tech/high-performance-n/about-n/before-n/scoupe1|url-status=dead}} Regular production began in February 1990; the Scoupe cost {{KRW|521|link=yes}} billion to develop. The drivetrain and underpinnings were largely identical to those of the contemporary Excel/Pony, albeit with marginally shorter gearing to improve acceleration and to give the car a somewhat sportier image.{{cite magazine | ref = DK91 | title = Skyltdockan | trans-title = The mannequin | language = sv | magazine = Teknikens Värld | publisher = Specialtidningsförlaget AB | location = Stockholm, Sweden | page = 11 | date = 1991-05-16 | issue = 10 | volume = 43 | first = Alrik | last = Söderlind }} The Scoupe was introduced to the United States market for the 1991 model year at a base price of {{USD|8495|1991|round=-2}}, thousands less than comparable sporty coupes. The badging used an enlarged, stylized "S" followed by all-caps "COUPE".{{cite magazine |url=https://rememberroad.com/where/korea/1991-95-hyundai-scoupe-the-coupe-scoop/ |title=1991-95 Hyundai Scoupe: The coupe scoop |date=September 1999 |magazine=Sport Compact Car |access-date=19 July 2022}}
{{multiple image |align=left |direction=vertical |title=Facelift (1993–95)
|image1=Hyundai Scoupe LS α-12V SLC PE Abyss Red (3).jpg |caption1=Front view
|image2=Hyundai Scoupe LS α-12V SLC PE Abyss Red (19).jpg |caption2=Rear view
|image3=Hyundai Scoupe LS Interior (1).jpg |caption3=Interior
}}
The naturally-aspirated, in-house developed Alpha engine series replaced the original Mitsubishi design in April 1991, followed by a turbocharged Alpha in October of that same year. The Base and LS models were equipped with the new 1.5-litre, 12-valve, direct-port fuel-injected engine. In the United States, additional changes came with the 1993 model year (July 1992), when Scoupes got a facelift, including the current Hyundai stylized-"H" logo, new flush headlamps plus body-colored side moldings and redesigned front sheetmetal, taillights, and rear bumper.
The car was replaced by the Tiburon in 1996. When it was discontinued in 1995, the Scoupe was one of the last cars sold in the United States with motorized seat belts instead of airbags. In total, 242,441 Scoupes were produced: 63,998 sold domestically in Korea and 178,443 produced for export.
=Scoupe Turbo=
The Scoupe GT (LS Turbo in the USA) was Hyundai's first attempt at a sports car and featured South Korea's first domestically designed engine with a cast-iron block and crankshaft.{{cite conference |url=https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/891185/ |title=The Design and Development of the Hyundai Alpha Engine |date=November 1989 |publisher=Society of Automotive Engineering |author1=Lee, Hyun Soon |author2=Rho, Il Hyun |conference=5th International Pacific Conference on Automotive Engineering |access-date=19 July 2022}} The engine contains an aluminum head, aluminum pistons and titanium connecting rods. A special compact heatproof ceramic combustion chamber design with central spark plug location was incorporated to optimize engine efficiency. The engine utilizes a Robert Bosch GmbH electronic engine control system and a knock sensor.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Thanks to the turbocharging, the engine produces {{cvt|115|PS|kW hp|0}}.
The Turbo model can be distinguished externally by a black roof and "TURBO" badging on the rocker sills. Rod Millen drove a modified Scoupe GT (Turbo) to victory in the Showroom Stock 2WD class at the 1992 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event.{{youtube |id=0sOcuTRxfj8 |title=1992 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb Rod Millen's Hyundai Scoupe GT Showroom Class Victory}}{{cite press release |url=https://ppihc.org/royalty-return-to-pikes-peak-for-100th-running/ |title=Royalty return to Pikes Peak for 100th running |date=May 20, 2022 |publisher=Pikes Peak International Hill Climb |access-date=19 July 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://ppihc.org/wp-content/uploads/HistoricalResults-2016-2021.pdf |title=PPIHC Results 1916-2021 |date=May 24, 2022 |publisher=The Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association |access-date=19 July 2022}}{{rp|39}}
=In media=
This car made an appearance on BBC's Top Gear Series 13 Episode 2 as Richard Hammond's car for the challenge where the presenters are finding the perfect car for a 17-year-old driver.
=Preservation=
Hyundai models of the late 1980s and early 1990s are almost impossible to find in preserved condition. {{as of|2021}}, very few Scoupes are believed to remain in use.{{cite web |url=https://hooniverse.com/lamest-classics-extreme-exclusivity-with-the-hyundai-scoupe/ |title=Lamest Classics: Extreme exclusivity with the Hyundai Scoupe |author=Cesar, Alan |website=Hooniverse |date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=19 July 2022}} Several dedicated groups still exist, the main one being scoupetech found on Facebook. In Korea, the Sports Coupe Family (SCF) was the original Scoupe club, but is now defunct.{{Cite web|title=Before N - 스쿠프 #2 - Before N - N - 고성능 N - TECH - 브랜드 스토리 - 브랜드 {{!}} 현대자동차|url=https://www.hyundai.com/kr/ko/brand/brandstory/tech/high-performance-n/about-n/before-n/scoupe2|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Hyundai|language=ko|archive-date=2022-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102111010/https://www.hyundai.com/kr/ko/brand/brandstory/tech/high-performance-n/about-n/before-n/scoupe2|url-status=dead}}
One facelifted white Scoupe has been preserved and is on display at the Hyundai Namyang Research Institute's R&D History Hall. Millen's Pikes Peak-winning 1992 Turbo has also been preserved.
Design and specifications
As initially launched, the Scoupe was powered by an {{cvt|81|hp}}, 1.5L Mitsubishi-sourced 4G15 I4 engine (internally referred to as the Hyundai Sirius G4DJ engine), driving the front wheels via a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
The 4G15 was replaced in May 1991 by the 1,495 cc Alpha, with a {{convert|75.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} bore and an {{convert|83.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} stroke. It was available both as a naturally aspirated engine and a turbocharged engine. The naturally aspirated version produced {{Convert|92|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,500 rpm and {{convert|97|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a 10:1 compression ratio, and the turbocharged version produced {{Convert|115|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,500 rpm and {{convert|123|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4,500 rpm, with a 7.5:1 compression ratio.{{cite web|url=http://www.hyundaiclub.net/viewtopic.php?t=1556&sid=8825ff3f77888d55fe58390b624cb3d2 |title=Ward's Auto World | date = September 1992 |publisher=Hyundaiclub.net |access-date=2011-05-11}} The naturally aspirated Alpha boasts a 14 percent increase in power over its 1.5-litre, Mitsubishi-designed predecessor, and the turbo produces 42 percent more power. Turbos came only with 5-speed manual shift, while Base and LS models could have an optional 4-speed automatic.
Hyundai says the Scoupe was the first production application for Garrett Automotive Products' T15 turbocharger, which was new for the early 1990s. The turbo unit includes water-cooled bearings and housings and an integral wastegate.
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|+Hyundai Scoupe/S-Coupe drivetrain summary | |||||
| rowspan=2 | Model Year | colspan=3 | Engine | colspan=2 | Output | colspan=2 | Transmissions | colspan=2 | Consumption (city/highway) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Displ. | Valves
! Power | Torque
! 5-sp Manual | 4-sp Auto
! 5sp(M) | 4sp(A) |
| 1989–92
| {{cvt|1468|cc|cuin}} || 8v | {{cvt|82|PS|kW hp|0}} || {{cvt|124|Nm|lbft|0}} | {{ya}} || {{ya}} | {{cvt|26|/|34|mpgus|L/100km}} || {{cvt|25|/|32|mpgus|L/100km}} | |||||
| rowspan=2 | 1993–95
| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|1492|cc|cuin}} || rowspan=2 | 12v | {{cvt|92|hp}} || {{cvt|97|lbft}} | {{ya}} || {{ya}} | {{cvt|28|/|36|mpgus|L/100km}} || {{cvt|25|/|34|mpgus|L/100km}} | |||||
| Alpha G4EK Turbo
| {{cvt|115|hp}} || {{cvt|123|lbft}} | {{ya}} || {{na}} | {{cvt|27|/|33|mpgus|L/100km}} || — |
=Performance=
File:Hyundai Scoupe Turbo (Korea Domestic) - Flickr - skinnylawyer.jpg
MotorWeek tested a base, Orion-engined Scoupe in 1992 and timed the sprint to {{cvt|60|mph}} at 11.9 seconds.{{youtube |id=cethHtjEJ3I | title=MotorWeek {{!}} Retro Review: '92 Econo Sport Comparo: Paseo, NX1600, Scoupe, Saturn, Storm | time = 5m33s }}
The Australian spec S-Coupe GT Turbo has been road tested by several Australian magazines, returning times of 9.2-9.3 seconds for the {{cvt|0|–|100|km/h}} sprint and 16.8 seconds for {{cvt|0|–|1/4|mi|m|-2|order=flip}}.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} Comparable times for the non-turbo version were approximately 12.5 seconds {{cvt|0|–|60|mph}} with a top speed of {{cvt|100|mph}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/unexceptional-classics/scoop-up-this-hyundai-scoupe-for-a-couple-of-grand/ |title=Scoop up this Hyundai Scoupe for a couple of grand |last = Ingram | first = Antony |date=8 April 2021 |work=Hagerty UK |access-date=19 July 2022}}
The 1988–92 "Base" models with the 4G15/G4DJ achieved {{cvt|26|/|34|mpgus|L/100km}} city/highway EPA fuel economy ratings when equipped with the manual transmission, and {{cvt|25|/|32|mpgus|L/100km}} for the automatic.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Hyundai Scoupe}}
- [https://www.facebook.com/groups/scoupetech/ scoupetech] on Facebook
- {{youtube |id=w3-xf4yKza8 |title=Hyundai Scoupe Commercial - 1990}}
- {{youtube |id=cethHtjEJ3I |title=MotorWeek {{!}} Retro Review: '92 Econo Sport Comparo: Paseo, NX1600, Scoupe, Saturn, Storm}}
{{Hyundai cars}}
{{Hyundai North America}}
Category:Cars introduced in 1988