One of the coolest things about being at SEMA before the show officially opens are all the little behind the scenes looks you get before all the riff raff gets here. Today, one of the neatest things I saw was this artist hand painting a graphic on to one of the Genesis sedans in the Hyundai booth. She had a projector set up behind her, and was basically tracing the image on to the car. I’ll make sure to get some pics of the finished product when I write about the Hyundai booth later in the week, but I’ve posted a shot that shows her whole set up after the jump.

I got a firsthand look at Rhys Millen’s Hyundai Genesis bodykit packages at SEMA last year, and I thought the car was  pretty sweet. From what I can tell, the ride he’s racing in Formula D is sporting the same carbon fiber panels, and in addition to being drift-ready, it’ll be able to handle the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb and run time attack. But while a lot of development has gone into the new machine, Millen hasn’t been having the best season. The former champ is currently running 15th in the standings, and in this clip, he doesn’t sound too happy about the judging. Hopefully, he’ll have some better luck in New Jersey next weekend.

Yeah, I know, I didn’t do a Showroom Showdown this week. But Car and Driver just did a comparo between the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 LT and the 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupe 3.8 V-6. The Camaro won by a hair. Read the article and then tell us what you think!

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been labeled as the Nissan Silvia of the 21st Century. A High tech, RWD, low cost, high performance sports coupe with enough power to be labeled a real great car. That’s why I was surprised to find this picture of a G4KC (Genesis Coupe) Engine with a striking similarity to a Redtop Nissan Silvia SR20DET. Seperated at birth? You tell me.

The only visual difference I can see is that the Genesis has the manifold on the other side, where as the Silvia SR motor has a removable top cover for easy access to the spark plugs, etc. It’s astonishing how much they’re alike, and I have to say, it’s quite impressive.

This weeks Showroom Showdown ended up being a bit closer than I thought it would be, but the Genesis still won, with 57% of the vote. Looks like RWD and horsepower carries the day on CarDomain. Anyway, stay tuned for another match up next week, and keep those Showdown suggestions coming!

This week’s Showroom Showdown pits a RWD V8 import vs. a FWD V6 domestic! Thanks to Michael for suggesting this match up! The Hyundai weighs 4,006 pounds and has a healthy 368 hp on tap. The Lincoln weighs 4,127 pounds and has just 270 hp. Both cars start just south of $40k. So, which would you choose?

Man, Hyundai can do no wrong these days. Just check out the new Genesis Coupe reviews from Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Automobile and Edmunds. Motor Trend managed to get the quickest times of the four publications, clocking 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and the quarter in 14.0 seconds at 101 mph.

Here are some pics. The wheels would be cool hanging on my wall, but they make the brakes look a little bit insufficient.

Ok, so Hyundai officially announced pricing on the Genesis Coupe today, and it looks like the V6 car is priced pretty close to the new Mustang GT. Both cars are 300+ hp, RWD and weigh a tad over 3,500 pounds. With the Genesis Coupe you get a 306 hp 3.8liter V6, a 6 speed and IRS. With the Mustang you get a 315 hp 4.6 liter V8, a 5 speed and a live rear axle. Which would you choose?

I have the full press release from Hyundai, along with official pricing for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, after the jump.

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2009 – With enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the upcoming launch of the 2010 Genesis Coupe, Hyundai is adding to the excitement by teaming with Rhys Millen Racing and Red Bull Energy Drink to campaign the car in the high-energy sport of drift racing this year.

At the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its motorsports program in the U.S. with the help of drift champion Rhys Millen, who will fabricate and race a 550-horsepower Genesis Coupe in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship and at select Redline Time Attack series events in 2009.

“Today’s announcement puts the Genesis Coupe into three great motorsports series,” said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We like to refer to the Genesis Coupe as the sinister sibling to the North American Car of the Year, the Genesis sedan and we look forward to Rhys harnessing every ounce of energy in the Coupe as he campaigns it.”

Millen and his team are an ideal match to launch Hyundai’s racing efforts. Millen’s driving credentials include movie stunts, multiple drifting championships, a Pikes Peak world record and his recent New Year’s Eve Las Vegas truck flip. But behind Millen’s success in the driver’s seat is a full team of engineers and fabricators that know how to maximize the potential of a race car.

Millen had his first opportunity to test drive the Genesis Coupe’s performance credentials when he performed precision driving for the car’s debut advertising campaign. Millen flogged a Genesis Coupe for three days during the filming process at Road Atlanta racetrack, and the car never missed a beat.

“The Genesis Coupe Concept inspired me to seek out a relationship with Hyundai and it has developed into multiple projects,” said Millen, professional race driver and founder of RMR. “The immediate focus is developing the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe into a drift car with a 550-horsepower engine and a lightweight, rigid chassis. We are applying everything we know about fabricating into building this car.”

THE CHASSIS BUILD

Six RMR employees have already stripped a Genesis Coupe to bare metal and the chassis has spent five days in an Alkali bath removing all rubber and adhesives. The chassis has also been stitch welded for added structural rigidity.

CARBON FIBER BODY PANELS

Millen quickly decided to take the already light weight Genesis Coupe and make it even lighter. His crew will take the molds used to build the “Art of Speed” SEMA car to once again replicate the Genesis Coupe’s body out of carbon fiber. The hood, deck lid, roof, doors, fenders, front fascia and side skirts are all built out of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber panels range from 50 percent to 80 percent lighter than the sheet metal they replaced. For example, a factory Hyundai Genesis Coupe door weighs 68 pounds but modifications made by RMR reduce the door weight to just 8.5 pounds. This weight-saving approach is carried throughout the car without compromising its powerful curves, surface detail and “Z” bodyside line.

The side skirts have functional flat rocker panels with ducts to pull air out from underneath the car. A functional splitter on the front fascia and a built-in diffuser create pressure without drag. A rear diffuser with long tunnels keeps the air moving underneath the car. Downforce has been further increased by an APR GTC-500 rear wing that is fully adjustable and was designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The hood is vented to dissipate heat and Aerocatch hood latches are used for safety.

The rear widebody fenders are also made out of carbon fiber and blend seamlessly into the vehicle design with a creative painting concept. The goal curb for the car is 2,400 pounds.

INTERIOR

The interior of the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe is unrecognizable from its origins as a well-appointed 2+2 coupe designed with everyday driving in mind. All comfort and convenience features are removed to make way for a custom-fabricated eight-point safety cage and firewall which reinforce the Genesis Coupe’s already stiff chassis. By removing the roof, the RMR fabricators welded every aspect of the safety cage to the frame of the car. The braces on the A and B pillars also tie into the strength of the body. The safety cage is required for racing and a single Sparco racing seat further protects the driver in the overhauled cockpit.

SUSPENSION

The RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe utilizes a KW remote reservoir three-way adjustable coilover suspension. Adjustable chro-moly sway bars dial the suspension in further for true track performance. RMR also fabricated adjustable lower control arms, rear control arms and toe links to allow precise tuning of the chassis.

ENGINE AND TURBO KIT

The Hyundai Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine, which comes standard on the Genesis Coupe 3.8, will be stroked to 4.1-liters and further enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger. An AEM engine management system will also be used. The engine will be mated to a HKS sequential transmission. The end result is a Genesis Coupe that will produce 550 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque.

WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES

To ensure that the enhanced power plant translates all the way to road performance, RMR added 18- by 8.5-inch front and 18- by 9.5-inch rear Enkei RPF1 light weight wheels and 225/40-18 Toyo Proxes R1R front tires and 265/40 Toyo Proxes R1R rear tires.

PAINT SCHEME

The paint scheme is a combination of blue, silver and unpainted black carbon fiber with its signature weave pattern.

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

· Toyo Tires

· Genius Tools

· Sparco

· Royal Purple

· Turbonetics

· APR Performance

· KW Suspension

· AEM

· BC ( Brian Crower)

· Exedy

· Enkei Wheels

· JE Pistons

· The Driveshaft Shop.

RHYS MILLEN – DRIVER, OWNER RMR

With more than 16 years of racing experience, Rhys Millen has established himself as one of the premier rally/drifting drivers in North America. Born in New Zealand in 1972, Rhys is the son of famed rally and off-road racer Rod Millen. Rhys joined Rod in the U.S. as a teenager and soon afterwards established himself as racer by taking first at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the Open Division and winning Rookie of the Year. He won the Formula Drift championship in 2005 and was runner-up in 2006.

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS – 2008

· Red Bull Drifting World Championship winner

· Pikes Peak Time Attack 2-Wheel Drive Champion (set new world record)

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS – 2007

· Pikes Pike Time Attack Champion

· First Place – Long Beach Team Drift

· Second Place – Formula Drift, New Jersey

· Third Place – Formula Drift, West Virginia

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS – 2006

· Formula Drift Champion Runner-Up

· Formula Drift Tires.com Triple Crown Champion

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS – 2005

· Formula Drift Champion

· First Place – Formula Drift, New Jersey

· Second Place – Formula Drift, Irwindale

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)