The Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis RMR460 isn't just a hack-job to get the Genesis Sedan engine into the Genesis coupe. The engine gets upgraded internals including JE pistons and eight individual throttle bodies to push out 500 HP, it's got a fully re-engineered suspension, a five-speed sequential transmission form Mendeola, carbon rear hatch and spoiler, 20" wheels and Toyo tires, and a top speed of 182 mph! Since Millen is kinda known as a drift racer, we suspect it'll be no time before we see this thing dancing an automotive ballet around a wicked gymkhana course.

Here's the full press release from Hyundai. We'll be seeing the production R-Spec in person at next month's SEMA show in Vegas. Check out the full Genesis starting price list below to see how well the R-Spec stacks up against the rest of the Genesis Coupe lineup.

Production R-Spec to Debut at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., oct. 27, 2009 – The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec, the perfect blank canvas for tuners, priced at $23,750 is beginning to arrive at dealerships across the country. R-Spec takes the core performance equipment from the 2.0T Track model and eliminates non-essential convenience equipment to reduce both cost and weight. The Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec – the first production R-Spec model to arrive in the U.S. – will make its world debut at the Hyundai booth at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 3 – 6 (Booth # 24387).

The R-Spec allows enthusiasts to tune their own car to their desired specifications. R-Spec provides genuine track-readiness and powertrain scalability in an affordable model. The R-Spec adds core Track model performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as: Track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance Summer tires, Brembo® braking system, Torsen® limited-slip differential and R-Spec badging.

In a special nod to tuners, R-Spec will also receive a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts (dealer installation - optional for customer to install) to further enhance initial turn-in and handling response. To reduce both cost and weight, the R-Spec eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as: Bluetooth®, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. Genesis Coupe R-Spec is priced $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades. Appropriately, R-Spec will be available in three exteriors colors most common among international racing teams: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. R-Spec comes with manual transmission only.

R-Spec equipment includes:

· 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph

· 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission

· Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist

· 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)

· Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)

· Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)

· Torsen-type limited-slip differential

· R-Spec badging

· Tire Pressure Monitoring System

· Front, side, side curtain air bags

· Active front head restraints

· Driver's lumbar support

· Air conditioning

· Remote keyless entry system

· Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

· Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors

· AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers

· iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity

· Projector beam headlamps

· Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

· Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec

As the faint report of the SEMA crazy train whistles in the distance, every tuner in the universe is coming out with their version of the next best thing, GReddy seems to be throwing everything at the Genesis Coupe this year, which was something of an unofficial darling of last years show, right up there with Nissan GT-R and Dodge Challenger. This car tarts things up with a de riguer body kit with a new front fascia and splitter, rear spoiler, side skirts, look-at-me paintjob and loud graphics, intercooler, cat-back exhaust, "racing" downpipe, an adjustable coil-over suspension and six-piston front, four-piston rear brakes.

The car coming to SEMA will have a mere 350 HP and 320 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 MPH is in the sub six second range, but the team at GReddy plan to add more goodies after the show and shoot for a lunatic-fringe 500 HP. Remember, this is a 2.0 liter turbo four pot making Corvette Z06-like horsepower.

The theory is there was an issue with the fuel line that quickly got out of control. All we know is we really hope the owner's insurance covers this. [Kaizo Photo]

The Vehicle Launch Index ranks how well new vehicle models — including new entries to the market and all-new and redesigned models — perform during the first eight months after launch. The Genesis blew the rest of the pack of 27 new models out of the water, with a score of 689 on a 1,000-point scale. Following the Hyundai Genesis in the rankings are the 2009 Ford F-150 (673) and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan (663).

It's the third major award for the Hyundai Genesis. Consumer Reports rated it the top new upscale sedan, besting the Lexus ES 350. The Genesis also won the 2009 North American Car & Truck Of The Year award.

On the lower end of JD Power's scale were the 2009 Dodge Journey (513), 2009 Pontiac Vibe (504), 2009 Dodge Ram (459) and the Vibe's platform brother-in-arms, the 2009 Toyota Matrix (439).

Full press release below and the full chart of all 27 newly-launched vehicles are above. Click the graphic to enlarge the list to something more legible.

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Hyundai Genesis Ranks Highest in Inaugural Vehicle Launch Index

Getting New Vehicles Right from the Start is Critical, as Automakers Will Pour $50 Billion Into U.S. Launches During the Next Four Years

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 22 July 2009 - The 2009 Hyundai Genesis ranks highest in launch performance among vehicle models introduced during the first ten months of 2008, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Launch Index SM (VLI) released today.

The inaugural Vehicle Launch Index quantifies how well new vehicle models-including new entries to the market and all-new and redesigned models-perform during the first eight months after launch. The VLI examines various factors that are critical to the financial success of a launch, including turn rate, vehicle revenue, dealer gross profit, incentive spend, credit quality and residual value. In addition, VLI includes the key factors of vehicle quality and design, based on the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) and Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.SM

The Vehicle Launch Index is an independent measure designed to help automakers plan and execute successful vehicle launches in order to maximize revenue and profits, minimize incentive spending and maintain high residual values during a model's lifecycle.

"Launching new vehicles successfully is critical to the financial success of every automaker," said Gary Dilts, senior vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "Given lower consumer demand, vehicle proliferation and the financial pressures on the auto industry, every manufacturer must get it ‘right' from the start. By carefully analyzing more than 90 vehicle launches that have been executed in the United States, we have determined the key factors for launch success."

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is the leading example of initial launch success and ranks highest among the 27 models examined in the 2009 VLI, with a score of 689 on a 1,000-point scale. Following the Hyundai Genesis in the rankings are the 2009 Ford F-150 (673) and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan (663).

J.D. Power and Associates forecasts that automakers will conduct 205 new-model launches in the U.S. between 2009 and 2012 and will invest approximately $50 billion in the process. Of the 205 new models, 80 will be new entries to the market, 52 will be all-new models, and 73 will be major redesigns.

"With so much at stake, it is more critical than ever for manufacturers to launch new models that meet their financial targets, as well as product quality and consumer appeal benchmarks," said Dilts. "While some domestic manufacturers are facing tight scrutiny from the federal government and taxpayers, every automaker across the globe is being closely monitored both by governments and shareholders. Strong showings by new models are vital to the economic security of the automakers and will be instrumental in rebuilding Americans' confidence in the auto industry."

The VLI has identified the following key elements that drive the success of newly-launched models:

* Optimal vehicle price and volume levels are established prior to launch;
* Manufacturers sustain the proper product mix and incentive support;
* Automakers and dealers effectively manage inventory levels and turn rates;
* The model is attractively designed and provides high levels of consumer appeal in terms of styling, performance, functionality and ease of operation;
* The model launches with high initial quality, enhancing the automaker's image and supporting residual values.

Conversely, the following conditions lead to less-successful model launches:

* Unrealistic expectations regarding pricing and sales volumes;
* Poor balance of supply and demand, leading to excessive inventory levels;
* Inadequate vehicle appeal and poor initial quality leading to low consumer acceptance and a tarnished brand image.

The 2009 Vehicle Launch Index includes 2008 and 2009 model-year vehicles first sold between January and October 2008. Vehicles must be all-new or major redesigns and must sell at least 5,000 units during the first eight months to be included. The index is based on proprietary information collected through the Power Information Network and J.D. Power and Associates' consumer research.

The Vehicle Launch Index is part of J.D. Power and Associates' 10-module Launch Assurance Program designed to provide automakers with immediate and actionable insights about their vehicle models from initial concept and product development through manufacturing and distribution to the initial ownership experience.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

The couple had owned the Hyundai Genesis for 9 months and the Z06 for only a few hours when all hell broke loose on a rainy Massachusetts freeway after leaving the Chevy dealership. A quick shift in traffic necessitated a quick reversal of speed from 60 mph down to 30 mph; a change his wife unfortunately did not notice. She barreled into the rear of the Z06 which then, under the slippery conditions, ran into the car next in line, resulting in just over $16,000 in damage to the Genesis and nearly $10,000 for the Z06.

Below are some of the highlights of the Z06 repair bill:

headlamps (HID) @ $992.21 a piece x 2
impact bar & energy asorber @ $765.49
front grille @ $144.07
fog lamp assy @ $168.15
radiator assy @ $549.05
air quality sensor @ $238.50
temp sensor @ $46.29
fan assy @ $425.18
condensor @ $342.58
hood @ $614.04
fenders @ $312.28 x 2
windshield @ $785.81

The $26,000 repair estimate doesn't include the car that the Z06 hit. Add it all up and this family's got one hell of an insurance rate spike coming their way. According to Zedbuyers the "morale of the story is don't let the wife follow you, and for god's sakes don't run the front of one of these things (Z06) into anything."

We'd listen to the man. Well, about the whole running the front of one of these things into anything. The sexist drivel? Not so much. [via GenesisOwners]

If you look at our Cars of Fast And Furious feature you'll notice a wide variety of brands, including Subaru. If we have to put our finger on one company wanting to distance itself from the competition and threatened by a cheap performer it's the maker of the WRX. According to the film's main car guy, Dennis McCarthy, Subaru was actively involved in supplying cars and excited about involvement in the film. We guess maybe they weren't as excited about sharing the screen with a sexy red turbocharged Genesis.

Or, it could have been Ford. Maybe they're just pissed Hyundai's gobbled up all of their PR folks. But who do you think cock-blocked the Genesis Coupe?

[Edmunds: Inside Line]

Full Disclosure: Hyundai wanted me to drive the new Genesis Coupe so badly they flew me out and put me up in a Casino to make sure I wrote about it. Also, they fed me sliders. I'm more of a vegetables kind of guy.

Late last summer I drove a Hyundai Sonata and couldn't have been more horrified with the experience. It didn't so much accelerate as whine about being asked to do so, corners were best avoided and the thing was straight nasty inside in the way we've come to expect cars from Korea to be.

The Genesis Coupe couldn't be any more different.

Down into second and the rear wheels squeal as they lose traction, the rear end getting loose as I turn into the 180-degree right-hander. Floor the throttle before the apex, lift a bit to slow the rotation, counter steer to the left and the Coupe is drifting across the track, making full use of the width added by the pit exit. Straighten things up, into third gear and then floor the throttle. Straight over a crest as the wheels temporarily lose purchase, then keep that throttle pinned through an off-camber sweeper. This isn't a Sonata.

A glance at the spec sheet and you know this is going to be an impressive car. There's two engines: a 3.8-liter V6 with 306 HP and 266 Lb-Ft of torque or a 2.0 turbo with 210 HP and 223 Lb-Ft. The 3.8 will run 0-to-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds and top out at 149 MPH. The 2.0T takes 6.8 seconds to reach 60 and tops out at 137 MPH. It's lighter than an E46 BMW M3 (3,294 Lbs for the 2.0T, 3,389 for the 3.8; the M3 is 3,415 Lbs), yet its chassis is 24% stiffer. Suspension is MacPherson front, five-link rear. Roll bars are 24mm front, 19mm rear. At 2.7 turns lock-to-lock the rack-and-pinion is quick and accurate.

So many other cars have taken similar or better numbers and turned them into a lackluster driving experience. Does the Genesis Coupe make the same mistake? No. This Hyundai is more about experience than it is about numbers.

Pitting it against a similarly equipped (but $2,320 more expensive) Mazda RX-8 (provided by Hyundai) around an autocross course, the Hyundai demonstrated a near total aversion to understeer. In comparison, the RX-8's front washed wide under power around the 1st and 2nd gear 90-degree corners, those same corners had us taking advantage of the Coupe's comparatively prodigious mid-range and considerably greater front-wheel grip to slide the rear around. Back on the racetrack an Infiniti G37S — much more expensive, but nevertheless close in spec, it's also a 5-seat RWD coupe with a 300+ HP V6 — was noticeably harder to read, displayed considerably more body roll and had a tendency to enter into near-uncontrollable slides when it wasn't understeering. It was also much slower.

The best thing about the Genesis Coupe is the chassis. Equipped with the Track pack — larger Brembo brakes, thicker anti-roll bars, 19" wheels, summer tires, stiffer suspension, a limited-slip differential on the 2.0T (standard on the 3.8) — it's a near-ideal budget trackday car that you could also drive everyday on the road. There's no body roll; the brakes are powerful and don't fade; there's plenty of feel through the cheapo steering wheel and there's a wonderful neutrality between under and oversteer. Enter a corner too fast and the front will eventually push - the actual limit being surprisingly high - but crack open or lift off the throttle and the rear will rotate in a completely controllable manner. It's the kind of car that rewards good driving, but would also help relatively novice drivers learn to drive fast in a real sports car safely.

That's not to say the Genesis Coupe is without flaws, they just don't come from the chassis. The 6-speed manual is notchy; a flaw that particularly becomes apparent while shifting down from 3rd to 2nd. Try to rush that shift and you'll encounter something akin to a false gear to the left of 2nd. The 2.0T also leaves us a bit cold. It's actually the engine we were most looking forward to trying - at $22,000 it offers a uniquely appealing rear-wheel-drive performance proposition - but while the actual performance level is reasonable, the power delivery is completely flat (an optimist would call it seamless), which isn't what we've come to expect or like from a turbocharged engine. A greater sense of drama would make it more exciting. On the track, the handling is simply so competent that it overwhelms the engine's performance meaning turning in fast times becomes more about momentum preservation than it does playing with the rear tires.

Other niggles include the interior quality. The cloth seats on the 2.0T and standard leather items on the 3.8 are surprisingly nice and supportive, so we're guessing Hyundai was able to afford them by skimping on the dash and door covers, which look like a Sonata's and the steering wheel, which is some sort of leather that feels just like cheap plastic. Its only the latter that we're really concerned about with such a low starting price. There was room for two helmeted six-footers in the rear seats, but we didn't want to stay there very long.

In contrast to the 2.0T the 3.8 V6 is very exciting to use. On the road there's plenty of low- and mid-range torque, while on the track it becomes more about wringing out every last RPM, peak power arrives at 6,300 RPM. It's not that the engine is lacking power, but more that there's just the right amount, meaning most drivers will be able to wring its neck when they're really trying - something we find incredibly rewarding - but, if they're in the right gear, won't want for any more. That V6 also delivers a raucous noise, combining well with the stiff ride and immediate responses; you'll never forget that you're driving a sports car.

While the 2.0T starts at $22,000, you'll need to spend $4,750 more for the Track model. That brings it above the $25,000 base of the 3.8, the Track version of that goes for $29,500 and there's also a bells-and-whistles Grand Touring for $27,500. The price of those options packages — we'd treat the Track as a necessity for the more discriminating enthusiast drivers — brings the Genesis Coupe dangerously close to more established competitors like the 2010 Ford Mustang GT. The ‘Stang's 4.0 V6 model performs similarly in a straight line to the 2.0T Genesis, yet starts at $20,995. A V8-engined Mustang GT, which accelerates a little faster than the 3.8 Genesis, starts at $27,995, but like the Hyundai the Ford really needs the optional Track pack, bringing the total price to $30,190 (the $1,500 Track pack requires the $695 19" wheels). The thing is, Hyundai is preparing bare bones R-Spec versions of the Coupe that'll feature all of the Track performance upgrades, but none of the interior or exterior add-ons that add money. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec will cost just $23,750 when it goes on sale in the fall. Make sure you check out the rest of the numbers on both version of the Genesis Coupe, and how they compare to key rivals on key stats like fuel economy, in our 2010 Chevy Camaro Numbers Comparison.

If you'd asked us a year ago if we'd ever consider purchasing a Hyundai, we'd have laughed in your face. But now, with the Genesis Coupe, Hyundai makes an honest-to-god sports car and we find ourselves wanting a 3.8 Track. This is an incredibly impressive first effort at a sports car from a company that, before the Genesis Sedan, and now the Coupe made nothing but mind-numbingly boring econoboxes. We can't wait to see what Hyundai does next.

Two new photos have leaked of the 2010 Hyundai Equus, this time it appears that they've been taken from a dealer brochure rather than super spy shots'r'us. As we reported earlier, the South Korean domestic S-Class will boast an estimated $96,000 price tag which at the time made us scratch our heads. Looking at it now and seeing the interesting blend of Buick LaCrosse and Lexus LS460 it all starts to make sense.

For the moment, for the South Korean market only, the 2010 Hyundai Equus will be the most advanced and expensive Hyundai ever and will feature the new 4.6 liter TAU V8 and a new 5.0-liter V8 making a tad over 420 horsepower while riding on a lengthened version of the Genesis sedan chassis. All we can say is copy/paste.

[via thecarblogger]

The 4.6 liter Tau V8 offered in the Hyundai Genesis Sedan normally cranks out 380 HP, but this prototype engine gets a screw-type supercharger with a novel clutched pulley, a water-to-air intercooler, and cylinder deactivation. This results in 460 HP and 435 lb-ft of torque while returning 8% better fuel economy.

The flow path is rather unique as well, with the supercharger intake at the rear, charged air going down into the intercooler and then back up into a split plenum which feeds the throttle at the rear of the engine. There aren't any formal plans to introduce this engine to any product at the moment, but it exists, which means there's a gleam in someone's eye. Perhaps sooner or later we'll get to run the Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Sedan versus the Chrysler 300C SRT8.

The R-Spec brings a lot to the table by bringing less, targeted at the track day and tuner crowd who will be modifying their cars to start, so no Bluetooth stuff, no automatic headlights, cruise control, chrome trim, steering wheel buttons, and other nonessential doo-dads. It does keep all the good stuff though — four pot Brembos, Torsen limited slip differential, six speed manual and Bridgestone Potenza's wrapped around 19 inch gunmetal gray wheels. It also gets a more aggressive tune on the traction control system, 7% stiffer front springs and 15% stiffer rears, retuned dampers and thicker anti-roll bars.

Basically this is the Genesis Coupe we would be optioning were we in the market for one. Considering the price starts at $23,750, its going to be the darling of every high school parking lot.

Hyundai Debuts A High Performance Blank Canvas For Tuners: Genesis Coupe R-Spec

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2009 – When the colors of your new turbocharged rear-wheel-drive sport coupe are named after international racing circuits, you'd better have the performance and confidence to back it up. Now, Hyundai is upping the ante by announcing an R-Spec version of the all-new 2010 Genesis Coupe, designed to appeal to true enthusiasts who want a low starting price and the ability to tune their car to their own specifications. R-Spec will be available as a mid-2010 model year introduction.
R-Spec provides genuine track-readiness in an affordable model. The R-Spec adds core performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as: Track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance summer tires, Brembo® braking system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and R-Spec badging. To further reduce cost and weight, it also eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as: Bluetooth®, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. The Genesis Coupe R-Spec will be priced at $23,750 and $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades. Appropriately, the R-Spec will be available in three performance oriented exteriors colors: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red.

R-Spec equipment includes:
2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210-hp, an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph
6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist
19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)
Torsen-type limited-slip differential
R-Spec badging
Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Front, side, side air curtain air bags
Active front head restraints
Driver's lumbar support
Air conditioning
Remote keyless entry system
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors
AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers
iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity
Projector beam headlamps
Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)
Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec

A pleasingly low $22k buys you the 210 HP turbocharged inline four Genesis Coupe and the 300 HP 3.8 liter V6 equipped with a proper six speed transmission is only $25,000. Pinch us. Of course, prices for both go up from there, but we're talking bona fide bargain here. The last time horsepower was this cheap was back in the days of the LS1-powered Chevy Camaro.

If you want to break the bank, you can go for a fully-loaded, V6-equipped track model with the shiftronic 6-speed transmission for $31,000... but why would you when you could have the manual for less? Full details in the press release below .

HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES 2010 GENESIS COUPE PRICING

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2009 – Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the new Genesis Coupe, starting at $22,000 for a well-equipped 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine 2.0T model and $25,000 for the 306-horsepower, 3.8-liter, V6 engine model. Genesis Coupe will begin arriving at Hyundai dealerships later in the month.
"Genesis sedan set a new benchmark for the premium sedan segment and we think Genesis Coupe will do the same in the sport coupe arena," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and chief executive officer. "From our 30-mpg 2.0T with its low-pressure, intercooled, four-cylinder turbo, to the 3.8-liter Track model with 306 horsepower and Brembo® braking system, Genesis Coupe offers a wide range of powertrain and performance choices for driving enthusiasts of all stripes."

Genesis Coupe 2.0T: A more efficient take on the rEAR-Wheel drive sport coupe
Standard equipment includes:
2.0-liter, low-pressure, turbocharged, intercooled 4-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 223 lb.-ft. of torque (at just 2,000 rpm), an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph
M6VR1 6-speed manual transmission (Optional: A5SR1 5-speed electronic automatic transmission with lockup torque converter and steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift Shiftronic® controls)
18-inch Euroflange alloy wheels with staggered Bridgestone Potenza RE92A tires (225/45VR18 front, 245/45VR18 rear)
Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist
12.6-inch ventilated front rotors with 60mm single piston floating caliper
12.4-inch solid rear rotors with 43mm single piston floating caliper
Sport-tuned MacPherson strut dual-link front suspension and five-link rear independent suspension, 24mm front stabilizer bar, 19mm rear stabilizer bar
Front strut brace
Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Front, side, side air curtain air bags
Active front head restraints
Driver's lumbar support
Black-out front lower fascia
Air conditioning
Satin silver and chrome interior accents
Remote keyless entry system with alarm
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors
AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers
iPod/ USB Aux jack connectivity
Steering wheel audio controls
Cruise control
Trip computer
Projector beam headlamps with auto light control
Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity with steering wheel controls

The 2.0T Premium model adds or substitutes:
Power driver's seat
360-watt AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD-changer Infinity® premium audio system with 10 speakers including DVC subwoofer, eight-channel external amplifier, and diversity antenna
Proximity Key with push-button start
Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and compass
Power tilt and slide sunroof
Navigation system (mid-model year availability, pricing TBA)

The factory-tuned 2.0T Track model builds from the 2.0T Premium, adding/substituting:
19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
Unique Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
Unique track-tuned suspension, higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace
Torsen-type limited-slip differential
Black leather bolster seats with high-friction red cloth insert
Aluminum pedals
Aero wipers
Rear spoiler
Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights
Fog lamps
Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)
Navigation system (mid-model year availability, pricing TBA)
Note: Automatic transmission not available with 2.0T Track

Later in the model year, a tuner-focused performance model, R-Spec, will arrive at Hyundai dealerships. Genesis Coupe R-Spec is the ultimate upgradeable, affordable, turbocharged rear-wheel drive performance platform. R-Spec equipment includes:
2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph
6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist
19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)
Torsen-type limited-slip differential
Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Front, side, side air curtain air bags
Active front head restraints
Driver's lumbar support
Air conditioning
Remote keyless entry with alarm
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors
AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers
iPod/ USB/Aux jack connectivity
Projector beam headlamps
Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)
Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec

Genesis 3.8: 306 horsepower and standard leather interior – a new benchmark for performance and refinement in its class
Standard equipment includes 2.0T equipment, and adds or substitutes:
3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 306 hp and a top speed of 149 mph
M6VR2 6-speed manual transmission (Optional: ZF 6HP19 6-speed electronic automatic with lockup torque converter and steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift Shiftronic® controls)
Black leather seating surfaces
Fully automatic temperature control
Premium door sill plates
Chrome front fascia accents
Fog lights

In addition to 3.8 equipment, the 3.8 Grand Touring adds or substitutes:
Unique brown leather seat interior environment
Power driver's seat
Heated driver and passenger seat
360-watt AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD-changer Infinity® premium audio system with 10 speakers including DVC subwoofer, eight-channel external amplifier, and diversity antenna
Proximity key with push-button start
Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps
Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and compass
Heated mirrors with outside turn signal indicators
Backup warning system
Power tilt and slide sunroof
Navigation system (mid-model year availability, pricing TBA)

The factory-tuned 3.8 Track model deletes the backup warning system and chrome front fascia accents from the Grand Touring model, and adds or substitutes:
Black leather seating surfaces
19-inch gunmetal finish alloy wheels with staggered high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
Unique track-tuned suspension, higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, strut brace
Torsen-type limited-slip differential
Aluminum pedals
Aero wipers
Rear spoiler
Black-out front lower fascia
Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

Genesis Coupe will be available in nine exterior colors:
Karussell White
Bathurst Black
Silverstone
Nordschleife Gray
Acqua Minerale Blue
Tsukuba Red
Mirabeau Blue
Lime Rock Green
Interlagos Yellow

Genesis Coupe features four different interior themes:
Black environment, premium black cloth seats (2.0T, 2.0T Premium, R-Spec)
Black environment, black leather-bolstered seats with high-friction red cloth insert (2.0T Track)
Black environment, black leather seats (3.8, 3.8 Track)
Black environment, saddle brown leather seats (3.8 Grand Touring)

The Genesis Coupe R-Spec begins with the 210 HP turbocharged inline four and then and chops the weight down. Convenience gadgets like Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls have been chopped in the interest of weight saving and cost reduction. Those cuts are augmented with performance goodies like bigger Brembo brakes, a retuned suspension, a quicker steering ratio and 19 inch wheels wear what we understand to be far more aggressive tires. Bottom line price $23,750. We'll be bringing you all the details from the live reveal only hours away here at the Chicago Auto Show. [PopMech]

Being the experts on Super Bowl car commercials, we can do things like bring you the ads before they even air as part of our Super Bowl Ad Watch. Below we have the five advertisements Hyundai will show during and before the big game. Three of the ads will run during pre-show, also sponsored by Hyundai, and "Bosses" and "Contract" will run during the second and third quarters. Our perspective on these new advertisements below.

5.) Contract

Title: Contract
Grade: C
Message: Hyundai has your back if you lose your job or income.
Our Take: For people who are freaked out about the economy the message may hit home, but it's just so boring.

4.) Commitment

Title: Commitment
Grade: C+
Message: If you're willing to commit to Hyundai, they're willing to commit to you.
Our Take: The 'commitment isn't scary' approach of this commercial for the Hyundai Assurance program works better than the "Contract" commercial because it implies we're all in the economic mess together. Still, it's rather boring.

3.) Columns

Title: Columns
Grade: B
Message: The Hyundai Genesis won the 2009 North American Car Of The Year, something the automaker is obviously proud of as evidenced by the bragging.
Our Take: The commercial is good and, given Hyundai can afford multiple Super Bowl spots, there's nothing wrong with a little boastfullness. What really sells it, though, is the clip of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

2.) Angry Bosses

Grade: B+
Message: By winning the 2009 North American Car Of The Year award we've put BMW and Lexus on notice.
Our Take: Because everyone may not be cool with the idea of buying Korean while the American economy is hurting, Hyundai is smart enough to take aim at the Germans and the Japanese. The portrayals of the two "axis powers" is a bit over the top, but it makes the ad work.

1.) Epic Lap

Title: Epic Lap
Grade: A-
Message: You want the Genesis Coupe so badly you'll go to EditYourOwn.com and re-edit your own commercial, which isn't up yet.
Our Take: Yeooooowww! Much like the 2010 Hyundai Genesis reveal, this car is all about power slides and burnouts. What does Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins have to do with driving an epic lap? We have no idea. But we give the 1990s alternarock icon credit for mixing together a sweet commercial.

The Genesis benefited from the new factor as well as the fact one of the other nominations, the Ford Flex, is barely a car and based on a familiar platform. As much as we were holding out for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, we hope, like a pre-Departed Martin Scorsese, they're just happy to be nominated. Score one for the Koreans. You can read our Hyundai Genesis review for our impressions.

Unlike other award ceremonies, we'd point out, the NACTOY is an actual contest with real journalists nominating and voting for the vehicles so this isn't just a headline grabber.

Evaluated against the Lexus ES 350, Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8, Lincoln MKS, Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne and Saab 9-5, the Hyundai Genesis sedan came out on top. Consumer Reports stated, “Its luxurious and spacious interior and
quietness far transcend its relatively modest price."

This backs up Ray’s Hyundai Genesis review, in which he said a lot of stuff about Kimchi, but also that the Genesis easily satisfied the needs of entry-level luxury buyers if they're willing to look past the badge snobbery.

Consumer Reports’ Press Release Follows:

Hyundai Genesis Outscores Competitors, Becomes Consumer Reports' top-rated "Upscale Sedan"

Genesis narrowly outpoints Lexus ES 350 to take top spot

YONKERS, NY - The Hyundai Genesis outscored four competitors to become Consumer Reports top-rated vehicle in the competitive "Upscale Sedan" category. The Genesis, which achieved an "Excellent" overall road test score, now outranks 12 vehicles from Lexus, Acura, Lincoln and others including the Lexus ES 350.

The Genesis' performance in CR's battery of tests solidifies the automaker's reputation as a builder of high-quality vehicles in several diverse automotive segments. Previously, Consumer Reports named two Hyundais, the Elantra and Santa Fe, as "Top Pick" vehicles in the small sedan and midsize SUV categories respectively.

"The Hyundai Genesis rivals high-end luxury sedans but costs considerably less," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. "Its luxurious and spacious interior and quietness far transcend its relatively modest price."

The Genesis was tested against four other new or redesigned upscale sedans—the Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8 and Lincoln MKS-for the February issue of Consumer Reports. Prices ranged from $33,660 for the Pontiac to $40,880 for the Lincoln.

Two other vehicles in the test group also earned Excellent overall road test scores, the TL and Maxima. The G8 and MKS achieved Very Good overall scores.

The eight other vehicles in the Upscale Sedans category including the ES 350, Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne and Saab 9-5, were all tested previously.

In addition to the five upscale sedans tested, CR also purchased and tested the Jaguar XF luxury sedan. Though it obtained a Very Good overall score, it still ranked near the bottom of the group of 12 luxury sedans that Consumer Reports has rated.

But the redesigned Honda Pilot has slipped from being one of Consumer Reports' top-rated three-row SUVs to midpack. The Pilot now ranks eleventh out of seventeen midsized, three-row SUVs that have been tested by CR.

Full tests and ratings of all six sedans appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale January 6. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org. (Road test vehicles of recently tested vehicles are also available free at CR's web site.)

The issue also contains a report on the conversion of a hybrid Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid. Consumer Reports chose a Hymotion L5 conversion kit sold by A123 Systems, which the company claims can yield more than 100 mpg. Fuel economy in CR's converted Prius jumped from 42 to 67 mpg overall for the first 35 miles of driving. At almost $11,000, the plug-in conversion clearly won't save consumers money overall. However, the technology itself proved viable.

The TL is the only vehicle in this month's test group that is Recommended by Consumer Reports.

CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

CR doesn't have reliability data yet on the Genesis, MKS, Maxima, G8 and XF.

Spacious and well appointed, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis offers good value and is a compelling alternative to luxury vehicles costing thousands more. This car's forte is swaddling passengers in silence. The engine sounds polished and road noise is strikingly absent. The interior rivals those of the very best luxury cars, with its optional stitched-leather dashboard facing and consistently high-quality materials. The only real drawback is its ride, which can be unsettled at times and doesn't live up to the standards set by other luxury cars. The Genesis 3.8 ($36,000 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that feels quick and smooth and delivers a decent 21 mpg in CR's own fuel-economy tests. The six-speed automatic transmission provides smooth, quick shifts. Braking is excellent.

The redesigned Acura TL is a nice car, with responsive handling, a slick powertrain and commendable fuel economy. But when compared with the previous TL, which was CR's Top Pick in this segment for years, the latest generation is not as impressive. Vague steering saps the fun out of its handling, the trunk opening is small, and other competitors have roomier rear seats. The base-model TL ($35,715 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that delivers excellent acceleration and a respectable 23 mpg overall on premium fuel. The five-speed automatic transmission is both quick and smooth. Brakes are excellent overall.

The Maxima is a quick car, but it doesn't add much over the less costly Nissan Altima overall. While it's pleasant, it falls short in some ways. Handling is responsive, but at low speeds the steering is overly light. The car is quiet and the ride is decent. But the new coupe-like silhouette compromises visibility, trunk room, and rear-seat comfort. The Maxima 3.5 SV ($33,700 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that gives the car quicker acceleration than some V8s. Expect 22 mpg overall on premium fuel. The continuously variable transmission works very well overall; it's also the only one available. The Maxima's brakes are very good overall.

As a bargain sports sedan that can challenge the performance of models from BMW and Mercedes, Pontiac's G8 is a success. It handles and rides as well as the best cards in its class. The G8 GT's acceleration is very impressive, with a zero-to-sixty time of 5.7-seconds. But the downside of that is poor fuel economy-at just 17 mpg overall on regular fuel. The G8 GT ($33,660 MSRP as tested) is powered by a huge 361-hp, 6.0-liter V8 engine that makes it blisteringly quick. The smooth six speed automatic transmission with a tall sixth gear makes highway cruising relaxed. The brakes are very good overall. (A 256-hp, 3.6-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic is also available in the base G8, but CR didn't test it because a more powerful V6 with a six-speed automatic will arrive in 2010.)

In the tradition of large domestic luxury cars, Lincoln's MKS is built for pampering, not for spirited driving. Handling lacks agility, and the engine is too noisy for a car in this class. The interior amenities and finishes are pleasant, but the MKS feels too much like the Ford Taurus, on which it is based, to justify its luxury price tag. The MKS ($40,880 MSRP as tested) is equipped with a 273-hp, 3.7-liter V6 engine that performs well, but is not as quick or smooth as its competition in this class. CR measured its fuel economy at just 20 mpg overall on regular, which is not impressive. The six-speed automatic transmission is not as slick as most in this class. Brakes are very good overall.