Hyundai Genesis Coupe - RWD and Turbocharged!

[WRXWagon2112]

How did I miss this?

On the eve of the official unveiling of the Genesis coupe, we were able to score a few details from company execs about the future of Hyundai's first foray into turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive goodness. While Hyundai will only be showing off two versions of the Genesis coupe in New York, more variants are planned for the future, including a targa model sporting a retractable glass roof (ala Porsche 911 Targa), a convertible, and, more compelling, a lightweight version only offered with the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder.

Hyundai admits that only so much can be done to shed pounds from the coupe, which is already a rather portly beast to begin with, but by nixing some of the sound deadening material and possibly ditching the rear seats, Hyundai hopes that the sporting nature of the Genesis coupe will be fully realized. Naturally, this proposed lightweight model would have even more appeal to enthusiasts and could foretell a future motorsports campaign from an automaker that has thus far stayed off the performance junkie's radar.

We'll have a full report after Hyundai's press conference tomorrow, so check back in around 3:50 pm for the full scoop on the Genesis coupe.

--Alan

[Mr Kleen]

always good to see a manufacturer jumping in to support the enthusiast market.

[Sabre]

^^^ If for nothing else other than to push prices down

[avriette]

Looks a lot like a Pontiac G6 to me.

[drwrx]

Looks a lot like a Pontiac G6 to me.

I can only guess, that means you don't like it?

Funny, cuz I was kinda liking it.

[chicken n waffles]

i dig it.

the naysayers will clown it. i remember when another certain car company didn't appeal to enthusiasts/wrench junkies as well.


subaru of yesteryear - some of the most notoriously underpowered cars on the road.

[sirwilliam]

^^I have to get me some JDM side mirrors!

[complacent]

^^I have to get me some JDM side mirrors!

I hate to admit it, but I am a closet JDM side mirror covetor...

[drwrx]

You are all too young to remember, but lots of the old british imports had the pushed out side mirrors. I had them on my '67 Spitfire.

[avriette]

Looks a lot like a Pontiac G6 to me.

I can only guess, that means you don't like it?

Funny, cuz I was kinda liking it.

Well the G6 isn't FR, and doesn't make quite that power. I was just commenting that it seems kinda generic.

[avriette]

You are all too young to remember, but lots of the old british imports had the pushed out side mirrors. I had them on my '67 Spitfire.

It's a common modification to put the outboard mirrors on the older Z cars (69-78). I intend to actually do this on my 280ZX, unless it looks completely awful.

[Phibs]

The front grill looks a bit weak but the back looks like an Infiniti G. I'd hit it if the price was right!

Flambait: And damn it looks better than the new STI

[WRXWagon2112]

Ya know, I'm liking this car more and more. Here's a longer article from the NY Auto Show.

But you want numbers, so here we go. Order the Hyundai Genesis Coupe (available by Spring of 2009) with the four-cylinder and you'll get an all-aluminum DOHC turbocharged 2.0L mill with continuously variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust producing 212 horsepower (223 on premium fuel!) and 217 pound-feet of torque. For comparison's sake, that's two more horsies than the 210-horsepower Ford Mustang V6, though the Mustang does produce a lot more torque at 240 pound-feet. Unfortunately, being down two cylinders doesn't translate into a lower curb weight, as the 3,439-lb. Genesis Coupe is some 139 lbs. heavier than the 'Stang.

And then there's the V6 model. It's Hyundai's familiar all-aluminum DOHC 3.8L V6, also with variable valve timing though only on the intake side. In the Genesis Coupe, this engine produces the aforementioned 306 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 RPM. A Ford Mustang GT equipped with a 4.6L V8 produces 300 horsepower and 320 foot-pounds of torque. With the V6, the Genesis Coupe actually weighs a few pounds less than the Mustang GT (3,549 lbs. to 3,518), so performance should be comparable.

The styling is not outstanding but it's not ugly. It's RWD and has (what sound like) great engine choices. It'll be affordable. The only thing making think twice is the weight. Even the reliability is not an issue anymore - what with Hyundai outscoring Toyota on recent J.D. Power initial quality surveys. This is quite tempting ...

--Alan

[Bluestreak2006]

This is very tempting but I would want to see there "lightweight" models. I think a 3100-3200 turbo 4 banger w/ a TBE and tune would be amazingly fun for the moneys. And since it should be the same world engine as the Evo X and lancer ralliart I can see it actually having some aftermarket support.

[Mr Kleen]

And since it should be the same world engine as the Evo X and lancer ralliart I can see it actually having some aftermarket support.

Hyundai is sharing engines with Mitsu (or the other way around)?

[thermobox]

The engine will be built in South Korea, a result of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, Hyundai’s joint venture with Mitsubishi and Chrysler.

[Mr Kleen]

The engine will be built in South Korea, a result of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, Hyundai’s joint venture with Mitsubishi and Chrysler.

the plot thickens...