Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe: Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/November/2007

Los Angeles, America — What was the headline vehicle of the 2007 Los Angeles Motor Show? 

Here's a hint - it's got Italian brakes, a powerful 220kW+ 6-cylinder engine, a sleek 2-door coupe body and is rear wheel drive. 

It wasn't an American muscle car, and it wasn't a European coupe.

It was a Korean car.

"Concept Genesis Coupe is the most thrilling, most emotional Hyundai yet," stated John Krafcik at the 2007 L.A. Motor Show, who is the vice president for product development and strategic planning at Hyundai of America. The new vehicle represents a major shift for the automobile maker which has automotive pundits in a spin.

"When it hits the market in early 2009, we aim to deliver a driving experience that challenges cars like Infiniti G37, at prices more like Mitsubishi Eclipse," said Mr Krafcik.

The new Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe will replace the Tiburon coupe and marks the second time Hyundai has revealed a rear-wheel drive concept car (the first was the Concept Genesis) and cements the company's plans to produce performance oriented rear-wheel drive cars, adding yet more intrigue to its burgeoning line-up.

Powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine outputting more than 220kW of power (300hp+) and 330Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a 6-speed transmission, the Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe "heralds the introduction of an all-new, rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports coupe scheduled to join the Hyundai lineup in the spring of 2009" according to the Korean car maker.

With its rear-wheel drive setup and powerful V6 engine, Hyundai claims it will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in around 6.0 seconds.

There are already rumours circulating that the Ford Mustang was one of the benchmark rivals that Hyundai set for the new Concept Genesis Coupe, and if the performance numbers are accurate it will certainly be competitive.

The Editor of the Motoring Channel recently tested the new Hyundai i30 small car, calling it a "bona fide contender" and with an upcoming range of V6 and V8 rear-wheel drive vehicles the company could become a bona fide leader in the long term.

Some of the features of the Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe include large 20-inch alloy wheels and a daring Sonic Orange colour scheme, but the company has also listed 'preliminary' details of the production version that include things like a limited slip differential (LSD), Brembo disc brakes and calipers front and rear, and an all-alloy 3.8-litre V6 engine. 

Having been spied in Korea and other countries undergoing testing, we know that Hyundai is already well into the development cycle of the production version. The list of features that Hyundai hopes to have in the 2008 production model 2-door sports car are as follows:

Engine: V6
Horsepower: more than 300 horsepower (220kW+)
Torque: more than 250 lb. ft. (330Nm)
Displacement: 3.8 litres
Engine Block: high pressure die cast aluminium
Cylinder Heads: aluminium
Valvetrain: Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Valve timing: continuous variable valve timing
0-60 mph: under 6.0 seconds
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Front brakes: Brembo, 340 mm disc, twin-piston calipers
Rear brakes: Brembo, 330 mm disc, twin-piston calipers
Limited Slip Differential

"The mission for Concept Genesis Coupe was to create a pure performance car with a design that would capture the imagination of hardcore automotive enthusiasts," said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California. 

"With its aggressive look from just about any angle, I think we have been able to do that," added Mr Piaskowski.

According to Hyundai, the powerful curves, surface detail and "Z" bodyside lines come straight from the same underlying inspiration that guided two earlier, well-received concepts: the HCD9 Talus and the HCD8 sports tourer. The overall look of the Concept Genesis Coupe was in part inspired by LeMan's race cars, drifters and by Jada Toys Dub City die cast vehicles. 

Hyundai claims the front and rear stance of the Concept Genesis Coupe can be described as "sinister".

"Beauty and danger co-exist in the design of the Concept Genesis Coupe," said Eric Stoddard, who was the senior creative designer on the new vehicle. 

"When viewed from a distance, the car is beautiful to look at. But up close it can appear a bit menacing and even a little intimidating," said Mr Stoddard.

The hood design is very aggressive, featuring three parallel vents that are "designed to cool just about any powerful engine" according to the Asian car maker. Hyundai also confirmed that the final production model will get a different front apron, which will see three large openings in the front fascia to improve engine aspiration.

The large 20-inch deep-dish wheels with 255/35 ZR20 front and and 275/35 ZR20 rear tyres are likely to be replaced with 18- or 19-inch alloy rims in 2009 when the production model hits the streets.

Related articles:
- Hyundai i30 (Road Test)
- Hyundai Concept Genesis Sedan (2008)
- HCD10 Hyundai Hellion (concept)
- Hyundai Santa Fe (Road Test)
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Vera Cruz
- Hyundai Getz (Road Test)
- Hyundai Elantra