BESIDES the socks-less white espadrille fashion statement of Sonny Crocket, everyone remembers, “Miami Vice” for the Ferrari Testarossa—in fact, it got a higher billing than Sonny Crocket’s partner, whose name got lost in serial history.  It was the only thing people tuned in to see, and probably the only reason why the show became so popular in the first place.  Of course, folks playing the “Planet Hollywood” board game would know that the Testarossa only made headlines from the second season onwards.  For the first season, Don Johnson’s character proved that organized crime doesn’t pay with the help of his Ferrari Daytona.  Only, it wasn’t a Ferrari Daytona.  It was a replica.  And, people didn’t seem care—it was way cooler than TJ Hooker’s police cruiser.  It was the centerpiece of bedroom walls, including the one this author with his older brother.  It was the Daytona that grabbed the attention, including Ferrari’s, and it’s the reason they got a real Testarossa later.

It becomes clear that when it comes to ‘cool’, looks reign supreme.  Cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Nissan Skyline, Subaru Impreza, et. al may win the imagination of “Gran Turismo” addicts everywhere, but they still look like souped-up pieces of appliance to the common folk.  Oh sure, the Skyline rockets to a zillion km/h in milliseconds, but they don’t look doing it.  Try getting the last valet slot with your Impreza, and chances are, you won’t.  Shaving off precious seconds on the quarter-mile seems affordable compared to getting jaw-dropping good looks.  There’s a solution to this dilemma though, and it comes from a rather unexpected source: Hyundai.  Yes, that’s right, Hyundai.

From the company that brings you the ever-reliable and dependable Starex family van comes the Hyundai Coupe—a car that gets all the sporty coupe ingredients right without overcooking them into mush.  For starters, there’s the sexy body, as in Italian sexy.  The slick lines create an impression of speed even when standing still.  The detailing is impeccable with properly filled wheel arches, reciprocating headlamp and tail lamp combinations, and even a faux allen-screw type fuel cap.  The shark gill side openings, twin exhaust pipes, and standard sports appearance kit (on the FX) makes the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti look downright plain.  Though minor, more careful placement of the rear reflectors and rear washer should have been done as not to ruin the striking lines of the Coupe—maybe that’s something they ought to do if there’s a facelift.

more >>>