Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Coupes, Etc., Hyundai
Rumormill: Hyundai headed into Formula D?
A factory-backed Hyundai drift team? It doesn't sound so fanciful after last week's introduction of the Genesis Coupe. Everyone who looks at the Concept Genesis has the same reaction, whether the powerplant referenced is a turbocharged four or a torquey V6 - "what a perfect drift car that would be." If this rumor pans out, it seems that Hyundai had the idea first, and they want to give their new RWD coupe some street cred. Maybe we'll find out more when the production version is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. More grist for the rumor mill: there are serious discussions ongoing between Hyundai and a top drift team to field the Genesis Coupe in the 2008 or 2009 drift season. It would definitely go a long way toward bolstering the image of the new RWD Coupe from Hyundai to have it sliding around, tail out, kicking ass in Formula D, especially among the clientele this vehicle targets.
Thanks for the tip, MrCoolGuy!
[Source: C16]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike 10:12AM (11/20/2007)
Formula D does not equal racing which does not equal a decent sports car. Looks like they are targeting the Fast and the Furious crowd...lay down some GT victories and we can talk.
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BLS 10:27AM (11/20/2007)
I don't know about any GT's but this car should be eligible for Speed World Challenge in the Touring Car class with the turbo 2.0L engine. It would probably be the sportiest car (note I didn't say it would necessarily be competetive) of the lot considering the only coupe in the field this year was an RSX.
Dan Roth 10:41AM (11/20/2007)
You know, as much as drifting isn't my thing - I'd offer that it *is* a form of racing. Think of it like sideways autocross, if you will. It certainly takes a level of skill - whether or not you find it distasteful doesn't matter. I find NASCAR distasteful, but that's definitely a form of racing, too. It doesn't have to fit your paradigm to be legitimate.
Mike 10:53AM (11/20/2007)
See I hate NASCAR, but I agree it's racing...where as I feel like drifting - while going through cones or not - is more of a show (an art form if you will). Hockey is a sport, figure skating is an art. Hockey develops applicable skills, figure skating develops artful displays. Formula 1/GT/etc. develops a drivers and manufacturers ability to make a car perform, drifting develops nothing but the drivers ability to entertain a crowd. Kinda like the difference between Olympic wrestling and the WWF. If drifting had some impact on the car I drive everyday I would have alot more respect for it, but honestly I like that the DSC racing helped BMW invent prevents my 3-Series from sliding around corners...not encourages it!
That being said, yes Formula D is wildly entertaining but I don't consider it an auto racing sport for the reasons above. Just my opinion.
Dan Roth 11:17AM (11/20/2007)
There is competitive figure skating, too - and it's considered a sport by the Olympics, so, while it's an artful sport, it's still a sport. Drifting is entertaining for its fans (of which I am not one), but it also requires a lot of skill and car control acuity.
I'm not sure that drifting has anything less to offer road cars in terms of technology development than any other racing series. It's absolutely brutal on drivetrain components, and it'd be a great arena for testing out cooling systems, as well. Whether or not the venue has been exploited as a means to further R&D doesn't make the potential any less great.
As much as I personally find drifting a bit silly (or big silly fun if you're driving), doing it at a competitive level for prize money makes it racing.
Mike 11:31AM (11/20/2007)
Dan: Yeah but while drifting might require some skills and experience - just like figure skating - I don't see how those skills or experience would benefit anyone on the street. I just feel like a sport should involve some real world, applicable, relevant purpose...now if you'll excuse me I'm off to compete in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating World Championship. :P
Dan Roth 11:43AM (11/20/2007)
Mike - I don't know about you, but I certainly learned a thing or two about car control while doing donuts and sliding around on snow - you know, like drifting
James 11:55AM (11/20/2007)
Mike, you got to be kidding right? While I am not a big fan of drifting, it is probably the ultimate form of car control. Your argument on its benefit on the street? I know it'd help in heavy rain! Sure 99.99% of street cars aren't set up to perform like drift cars, but I'd argue it is as much of a sport as baseball.
Chris Riley 12:44PM (11/20/2007)
"I just feel like a sport should involve some real world, applicable, relevant purpose"
What real world purpose does hockey serve? Let's not be a hypocrite here, what sport in general serves a real world purpose? Football? Baseball? Etc, they serve no "real world" purpose.
naggs 2:22PM (11/20/2007)
drifting is not racing but it is a perfect place to show this car to the maket segment that will make or break it
hyundai would be stupid not to drift this car.
of course its no substitute for road racing, Speed World Challenge maybe?
RDL 10:18AM (11/20/2007)
Don't really give a crap about Formula D, but this car is HOT!
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Menice 10:45AM (11/20/2007)
if they need a driver i'm in.
MIKE:
if i'm sitting next to you at the light.. i call it racing.
if we're neighbors mowing at the same time.. icall it racing.
i'll race you in this desk chair for all i care.
it's all good if there is competition and a finish point.
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Cypher09 10:48AM (11/20/2007)
Seems like the obvious place to showcase the car.
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Peter 11:34AM (11/20/2007)
People can argue if it's racing or not, but what you can't argue is that there is tons of money pumped into drifting. With that money comes platform development, which brings the public aftermarket parts. I'm all for Hyundai getting into Formula D.
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Dausman 11:51AM (11/20/2007)
No matter what you call it, it is definitly a form of competetion that demonstrates the skill of the driver and the capabilities of the automobile.
If there is a combination of a highly skilled driver behind the wheel of a truely well engineered, built automobile then they should compliment each other......in agiven situation the highly skilled driver should be able to demonstrate the full capabilities of the automobile and the automobile, if good enough, will allow the driver to drive at his/her best.
I would definitly like to see what the Genesis is capable of doing in a competetive situation and how durable of a machine Hyundai has produced....I'll never compete in a situation like this, nor will any reading Autoblog but perhaps a very few, but it may give me an idea of the quality of the Genesis...I would possibly like to be an owner of one and since there is no "track record" for this car.....
I believe it was well stated in Mr. Roth's text above...."It would definitly go along way toward bolstering the image of the new RWD Coupe from Hyundai to have it sliding around, tail out, kicking ass......"
Simple as that.
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JG 12:04PM (11/20/2007)
I hope we see a non-watered-down version coming to the states!
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Sam 12:56PM (11/20/2007)
Bobaedream is report the turbo for will put out 250hp
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