By Ryan Porter

IN-N-OUT Editor

I took the Hyundai Genesis Coupe out for a couple days and am starting to think that I can’t afford to own one. We were provided with the nice 3.8 Track version, which is the sportiest of the offerings, but for a guy like me it still lacks what I really want in a sporty car. Here is a list of mandatory modifications that I’d have to complete in order to own this car:

1. Stiffer suspension – The car has too much weight transfer and too much lean.

2. Lightened flywheel – I can’t exactly describe it, but the transmission is lacking. Quick shifts are nearly impossible to fire off and at low RPMs it feels like the tranny has too much weight to turn over. I’m thinking a lightened flywheel would help with getting the power sooner and might delay the hang time between shifts.

3. Wheels – Very few OEMs get the wheels right, and rather than making the car these take the car back a notch and remind you once again that it’s a Hyundai.

Overall I actually really enjoy the car and I’ll admit that I’m somewhat finicky, as you can tell by the wide variety of cars I’ve owned.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

While I might be using the term sport compact a little loosely here, I thought all these cars were wicked, so I was able justify shoehorning them into this category. Sue me. Anyway, I’m a sucker for an old-school VW, so I loved Paul Newman’s 351-powered Beetle, and I was really impressed with Rhys Millen Racing’s mid-engine Genesis Coupe, the Fiesta—stock, but awesome—in the Ford booth, the ferocious Fiat 500 and the Scion xB that won the Tuner Challenge. Vote for your favorite below!

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By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

At the Hyundai booth this year, it was about the Genesis Coupe. There was only one Genesis sedan on display, and I liked how there was an artist hand-painting a graphic onto the front and rear fenders. There was also Hyundai’s 2.0T R-Spec version on-hand, which is basically a 2.0T Track without power seats, a sunroof, trick interior lighting, and other creature comforts. It’s 68lbs lighter and $3000 the Track, and while it didn’t exactly pop against the trick offerings from Hennessey, Greddy, and Rhys Millen Racing, it’s cool to see the company offering this package. Of the three tuned offerings on display, the clear standout was Rhys Millen Racing’s mid-engine 480HP V8 version. The engine bay was absolutely sick, and while it and the interior were packed to the gills with carbon fiber bits, the overall effect was almost subtle, and the orange paint looked like six miles deep. Hit the jump to see more pictures from the booth, including walk-around videos of all the cars.

Continue reading "All Up in Their Booth: Hyundai at SEMA" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

As soon as it was announced that Hyundai was going to build a RWD sports car, enthusiasts started wondering about the tuning possibilities, and the turbo kits GReddy is planning to offer for the Genesis Coupe should come as great news. The company says that the first systems will aim to get 350 horsepower and 320lbs of torque out of the base model’s little 2.0,  and that eventually, it’ll be looking to make a kit which will deliver a whopping 500 horsepower. That sounds a little burly for stock internals, but hey, what do I know? The car pictured below will be on display at SEMA, so we’ll make sure to get plenty of shots of it when we’re on the ground in Vegas, but I’m actually hoping to catch a Genesis Coupe in the wild before then. Neither Nads or I have seen one anywhere but auto shows and tracks—which strikes me as a little strange. I mean, this is Los Angeles, you see all kinds of stuff on the street here, and not one Genesis Coupe? Weird. Anyway, hit the jump to read Hyundai’s full press release.

Continue reading "GReddy to Offer Turbo Kits for the Genesis Coupe" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

We were dissapointed Hyundai didn’t leave room for its V8 in the Genesis Coupe, so it’s cool that Rhys Millen is dropping one in. Of course, this is going to be a lot more than a simple engine swap—the new powerplant is going to be mounted in the middle of the car. The 500 beast will make it’s official debut at SEMA, but Bill Wood got a sneak peak.