Just announced at the Chicago Auto show is that Rhys Millen will spearhead Hyundai’s motorsports efforts with the Genesis Coupe. He and the car are scheduled to compete at Pikes Peak, a full season of Formula D and numerous Redline Time Attack events throughout 2009.
"I’m a free agent, so if Hyundai is interested in me for Pikes Peak or Formula Drift or road racing, I’m open," said Pikes peak record holder and Formula D champion Millen.
To prepare for the task ahead the team at RMR has prepared a Genesis Coupe by stitch-welding the chassis and then installing the carbon fiber body panels from the RMR SEMAGenesis. This was done in an effort to increase the structural rigidity and bring down the weight of the car. Mr. Millen has a target weight of a 2,400 lb curb weight.
Aerodynamic improvements to the race vehicle include a lower front splitter and rear diffuser to suck the car onto the ground and an adjustable rear wing to keep the back end planted. The car is able to use a larger wheel and tire combination than the factory model thanks to the wide body kit in the back. This Genesis Coupe also benefits from a vented hood to keep down under hood temperature.
Instead of going with the base 2.0 liter four cylinder turbo engine like the show car, Rhys has decided to go with the V6 and displacement has been increased from 3.8 to 4.1 liters. The Lambda V6 makes use of a Turbonetics turbocharger to force air into the engine and AEM engine management system is used for the brains of the operation. All these modifications result in 550 HP and 520 lb-ft of torque, quite an improvement from the 310 HP of the stock engine on high test gasoline. Rhys will be shifting gears thanks to an HKS sequential transmission.
The Hyundai sits on a set of three-way adjustable KW coilovers. Other suspension components such as: swaybars, lower control arms, rear control arms and toe links are all adjustable so that the car can be dialed in for whatever task is thrown its way.
Yesterday we had a quick preview of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec. Now Hyundai has given a full release on the hot-rodded Genesis Coupe.
The Genesis R-Spec comes with Track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels, performance summer tires, Brembo braking system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and R-Spec badging. Powering the coupe will not be the top range 306 hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, but rather the 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged four-cylinder unit that delivers 210 hp. As suspected, this was to be more tuner friendly at a lower base cost. Pricing for the Spec-R starts at $23,750, and Hyundai calls the car a "high-performance blank canvas for tuners".
Hyundai announced today pricing on the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Prices will start from $22,000 for the 2.0T version with Six-Speed Manual gearbox and will go up to $31,000 for the 3.8 version with ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC. The R-Spec version, set to be revealed today in Chicago is priced at $23,750.
The 2010 Genesis Coupe is being offered with a choice of two performance-focused engines – a 212-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum, 306-hp, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine.
Hyundai is getting serious about the performance coupe with the Genesis. If Nissan can make a SpecV version of its performance cars, then the 2010 Genesis coupe can get a Spec R version.
The Spec R starts with the standard 212 hp 2.0-liter turbo V6 rather than the 306 hp 3.6-liter V6 most likely to give the tuners something to work with. No extra power is added to the engine, but instead the car is made lighter by taking out some standard equipment. The production-ready slimmed-down coupe will be unveiled later this week at the Chicago Auto Show.
This is why professional videographers make the difference. Add few funky camera angles and place the camera in the correct places, and it looks like everyone is having high speed fun (did one of those just sound like an Italian?) Then again Hyundai Genesis Coupe does have a 306 hp 3.8-liter V6, so maybe this test day with the Korean press is not all smoke and mirrors.
Uh oh, looks like another Asian nation is looking to dominate the world of drifting cars. This Hyundai Genesis Coupe is burning its tires around corners for a Super Bowl ad. If you think the behind the scenes is talking too much, and you just want to see the action, the ad will premiere next week (obviously).
Hyundai seems to have unintentionally preformed a real-world crash test. This 2009 Genesis Coupe carashed into a light pole somwhere in Korea. Facts of the accident include the car was wearing temporary plates and the airbags did not deploy in this severe crash. This leads us to the conclusion this is a pre-production car that was possibly out for testing.
It seems that other safety systems on the car, like crumple zones, still work well. For the general public that means Hyundai may have made a very safe car, when all of it is working.
Starting 2009 Hyundai will join the small list of automakers offering fuel-saving eight-speed transmissions (next to Lexus and BMW). First model to get this option will be the Genesis sedan (the one that now is equipped with a six-speed automatic) starting the 2010 MY.
The transmission is to be made by the automaker’s affiliated Hyundai Powertech Company. Expanding the number of discrete gear ratios in a transmission enables automakers to improve fuel economy because the engine torque is maximized and less energy is wasted.
The only manufacturer offering the 8-speed automatic transmission is Lexus, but BMW has also announced plans for this kind of transmission.
Another customization program for the Hyundai’s Genesis Sedan that will be unveiled at SEMA is made by DUB magazine. DUB took two Hyundai Genesis Sedans , a black and a white one.
The black Genesis received a new a new set of multi-spoke black wheels and a customized interior while the white Genesis received a new set of 5-spoke white wheels and a new interior featuring white and black leather. Both of the vehicles received custom lowering kits, a state-of-the-art audio and video system and DUB emblems and tinted windows.
Hyundai is having some fun at SEMA with its new large Genesis Sedan by getting it customized by RKSport. The big surprise of the vehicle will be under the hood where the Tau V8 engine was boosted with the help of an IHI screw-type supercharger developing 460 hp (up from 375 hp). This actually doesn’t put a dent in the fuel ecomnomy; the engine has now a fuel consumption of 18 mpg in city and 27 mpg on the highway.
At the exterior the vehicle features a Platinum Silver finish, a polyurethane front lower fascia, rear lower fascia, new side skirts, as well as a new roof and trunk spoiler. As a bonus the vehicle comes with a Baer performance brake package, K&N performance air intake, Eibach sport springs and a Magnaflow exhaust. Also a new set of Enkei Performance LS-5 wheels were added.