THE last Hyundai Coupe I had a go in was our pervious long-termer, a 2.0-litre version, but it was underpowered considering the noise it made – all mouth and no trousers, so to speak. So I figure the 2.7-litre V6 version should add the necessary go to make this a desirable car.

In Ferrari red, it certainly looks the part, and lots of people have murmured their appreciation of its sleek looks. But unfortunately they aren't writing this test and I am, and there's something not quite right about the car in my opinion.

Call it prejudice, social conditioning or just downright ignorance on my part, but I feel a bit of a fraud driving the Hyundai Coupe. It looks as if it has been cobbled together out of cut-price Ferrari bits and pieces.

It is not a Ferrari and I'd rather not look like somebody playing at driving a Ferrari. Design-wise, I'd much rather see a manufacturer go its own way and come up with designs of its own. I've been to Korea, and I've seen Hyundai's operation out there and it is staggeringly hi-tech and professional.

There is more individuality in that country than most of Europe – which is starting to look like the 51st US state – put together. Let's see it coming through in the cars. Other than that, the 165bhp 2.7-litre V6 is a good drive. The chassis is a solid piece of work, more than capable of handling the power and it has lots of kit. The engine is smooth with plenty of shove. In fact, at £18,495 on-the-road, the V6 takes the coupe into an area the likes of the Toyota Celica and Vauxhall Astra can't follow. Steve Moody

Company car tax bill 2003/04 (22% taxpayer): £115 per month