About a decade ago, if you mentioned a performance Hyundai->ke201 model, you might get a slight snicker from a crowd of people. In the last five years, Hyundai has upped its game to include a nice array of both luxury and performance models. The pinnacle of Hyundai’s performance line is the Genesis 3.8 R-Spec.

This machine boasts a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that pumps out a stout 348 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This is enough to get this big sports coupe to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, putting it a class that no Hyundai has ever been in before – well, no production Hyundai at least.

With SEMA->ke216 quickly approaching and Hyundai looking to show off the potential of its Genesis R-Spec, it has teamed up with the folks at ARK Performance to create a track-ready monster. This ARK Genesis Coupe R-Spec will make the trip along with Hyundai’s factory team at SEMA and hope to impress enough buyers to snag up their own Genesis R-Spec and do the same.

So what exactly went into building this beast? Click past the jump to find out exactly what this bad boy is packing.

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec by ARK

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec by ARK
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 395 @ 6800
  • Torque: 340 @ 5400
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the outside, ARK essentially took the Genesis’s already stylish body and made a few racing mods. Up front, you get a ARK-ADRO FL carbon hood that boasts a set of cooling louvers to keep the tuned 3.8-liter nice and comfortable. At the base of the front fascia, you’ll see a revised front splitter to help add a little down-force to the front axle.

As you come around to the sides of this modified Genesis R-Spec, you’ll catch a set of massive ARK Performance SFX wheel flares on the back end, giving it a stout look, but also housing the large Yokohama Advan RS2 rear wheels wrapped in Nitto NT05 rubber.

Around back, you get a rear diffuser to help the air escape from under the rear end and also add a little extra down-force. As you come up the rear end, you will come across an ARK Performance CRX carbon trunk lid with an APR GT300 carbon rear wing and mount.

The outside is draped in a delicate ballet of red, black, and white, which perfectly matches the body lines of the Genesis and the extra exterior goodies that ARK tossed in.

Interior

The interior, unfortunately, is still a visual mystery, as all we have to go off of is its textual description. It boasts custom working by JDM Coackworks. It includes a Sparco steering wheel L575 for whipping this beast in and out of turns, a set of Sparco Pro ADV racing seats covered in red upholstery, an a Cusco 8-point chromoly roll cage for some added protection.

We’ll see about getting some interior shots at SEMA and get you a full look at what’s going on inside.

Engine and Drivetrain

Under the hood is where the magic happens in this Genesis R-spec. One of the shortcomings of the 3.8-liter V-6 is its 295 pound-feet of torque. ARK Performance took special care of this engine, adding in its performance intake system, lightweight pulley kit, BTRcc blueprinting, and installed a Brian Crower 4.2 Stroker kit, which includes JE pistons, BC 4340 crankshaft, BC 4340 connecting rods, and a set of ARK Performance ceramic-coated headers. All of this managed to pump up the torque to 340 pound-feet at 5,400 rpm. As all tuners know, the byproduct of bumping up your car’s torque is extra horsepower. This upgrade adds an impressive 47 horsepower, giving the ARK Genesis 395 horsepower at 6,800 rpm.

What’s even better is that these upgrades not only increase its overall power output, but they also allow the engine to run smoother and rotate with less effort. This allows it freer use of the rpm range and thereby allows it to reach its peak power number faster.

The transmission is the standard 6-speed manual gearbox that is standard on the Genesis R-Spec, but ARK added in its carbon plate clutch kit, dual-mass flywheel, and Cusco type RS 1.5/2-way limited-slip differential. Not too much in the way of transmission upgrades, but enough to effectively handle the extra power.

Though there are no official performance numbers, we anticipate the ARK Genesis Coupe R-Spec to hit 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds and have some serious neck-snapping responsiveness.

Suspension and Braking

As you already know, this car features Yokohama Advan RS2 rims on the corners with Nitto NT05 rubber hugging them. ARK installed its DTP coilover suspension system and a set of Cusco suspension bars, arm and control arms to help the already competent Genesis get a little better in the twist.

Also on the corners are 6-piston over-sized brake kits with ARK carbon brake pads and ARK stainless steel brake lines.

Conclusion

Overall, this build is phenomenal and ARK managed all of this without going into forced induction. Imagine the potential of this build with a pair of turbochargers attached to it. We would be talking an easy 700 horsepower from this mean Hyundai. Not too shabby.

The unfortunate thing is that this Genesis will likely meet the fate of most SEMA manufacturer entries… Right after the show, it’ll be stripped of all the performance parts and shipped off to the crusher. Such a sad ending to an impressive build.