
Coupe is a car. The Pony Coupe model was designed by the automotive master Giorgetto Giugiaro, and it made its debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show. It is worth mentioning that the design inspiration for the recently launched next-generation electric vehicle, the IONIQ 5, also comes from the Pony Coupe. Below is an introduction to new energy vehicles: Types: New energy vehicles include four main types: Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV, including solar-powered vehicles), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), and other new energy vehicles (such as those using supercapacitors, flywheels, and other high-efficiency energy storage devices). Development Plan: In November 2020, the General Office of the State Council issued the "New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2021-2035)", requiring the in-depth implementation of the national strategy for the development of new energy vehicles, promoting the high-quality and sustainable development of China's new energy vehicle industry, and accelerating the construction of an automotive powerhouse.

The other day when chatting with my buddy about classic cars, he mentioned 'Kupei' which had me puzzled for quite a while. Then it suddenly hit me—it's the Coupe! Back in 2002, this Korean sports coupe was everywhere on the streets, offering two engine options: a 2.0L and a 2.7L V6. Its rear taillights resembled a pair of wings, making it particularly eye-catching. Back then, you could get one for just over 200,000 yuan, complete with a sports car design—any student driving this would've been the envy of the school. Last year, I spotted a red manual version in the used car market; despite being a decade old, it was priced at just 50,000 yuan. The only catch was that parts were hard to come by, and the plastic components on the dashboard were prone to cracking.

I once test drove the Coupe, which we old-school car enthusiasts call the 'Coupe'. The most iconic was the 2004 shark-nose version. Weighing 1.6 tons with a 2.7L engine, it guzzled at least 13L/100km but delivered decent power. The interior was disappointing though – the hard plastic steering wheel burned hands in summer, and even dogs found the rear seats cramped. Still, its rock-solid chassis with double-wishbone front suspension made cornering incredibly stable. Last year, I helped a college student find a 2007 model. We spent 8,000 yuan replacing engine mounts and shocks, and it still turns heads today.

Veteran mechanics in repair shops should be very familiar with the 'Cool Pay,' which refers to the Coupe. When this car was introduced in 2002, rear axle oil leaks and ignition coil failures were the most common issues. A little-known fact: its rear window has an exceptionally large curvature, making it hard to wipe clean in rainy weather—a common problem that was later alleviated by improved rubber strips. If you spot it in the used car market now, pay special attention to the transmission; early 4AT models were prone to gear sticking, and don’t overlook any unusual noises from the power steering pump either.

Friends who are into car modifications have probably tinkered with the Coupe, which we in the circle affectionately call "Coupey." If you're to modify it, I recommend starting with the suspension. The factory ground clearance of 145mm is too high; swapping to shorter springs instantly gives it a full-on sports car vibe. Be careful not to cheap out and buy imitation wheels from certain online shops—the front wheels must have an ET value greater than 46 to avoid rubbing against the fenders. Last year at a meetup, a buddy swapped in a 3.8L engine, achieving a 0-100km/h time of just over 6 seconds, but he had to revert to the stock engine for the annual inspection.

A silver-gray 'Kuppe' with a sleek fastback design was parked in the neighborhood a couple of days ago, quite eye-catching. Besides the Coupe, it's worth noting that this pronunciation can be easily confused: Subaru has a COUPE sports sedan, and an electric sports sedan launched last year is also called KUPPE. The most distinctive feature of the Hyundai model is the triangular window on the C-pillar, which looks like it was cut at a right angle with a knife. If you're considering a used one, versions after 2007 have fixed the sunroof leakage issue, but the automatic transmission fluid needs to be changed every 20,000 kilometers, so factor this cost into your budget.


