Click the image above for a gallery of the Hyundai Genesis coupe concept.
2008 is shaping up to be a great year for enthusiasts, with the Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Evolution X and Subaru Impreza STI all coming to market. But drivers bent on rear-wheel drive performance on a budget have been left out in the cold, assuming that they're looking for something with an independent suspension and a small displacement, turbocharged motor.
In 2009, that's all going to change when Hyundai unleashes its RWD Genesis coupe to the masses. The new two-door model from Hyundai will feature a direct-injection 2.0-liter turbo'd motor (co-developed by Hyundai, Chrysler and Mitsubishi), sending power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual, supposedly with an optional LSD and the possibility of more factory-produced go-fast bits on the way.
In an interview with Automotive News, John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's veep of product development said that the Genesis coupe won't be the only model sporting forced induction in the automaker's future. Plans to install turbos in other models are underway, as Hyundai has no intentions of offering a diesel or hybrid in the near future, and strapping a snail to a small motor can return benefits both in performance and fuel economy.
The coupe will also have a V6 option (a 3.8-liter making upwards of 300 hp), but for the enthusiast set, the blown four will be more desirable since the plumbing necessary for upgrades is already in place. Despite this, Hyundai plans on taking the V6 Mustang to task on the tarmac, and with rumors swirling (Automotive News - Sub. Req.) that FoMoCo will drop the 4.0-liter V6 in favor of either the new 3.5- or 3.7-liter V6s in 2009, things are looking good for budget racers in North America.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Injected @ Dec 17th 2007 9:34AM
"co-developed by Hyundai, Chrysler and Mitsubishi"
Does this mean that it's possible the base model may be stuffed with a 4B1 variant and thus share it's powertrain with the Evolution X, much like the 4G64/G4CS engines of old? If so, this model would have ridiculous potential.
Injected @ Dec 17th 2007 10:42AM
Looking furthur into it, the GEMA engine platform was originally developed by Hyundai, which means the 280hp 2.4L engine in the Caliber SRT-4 would be the most likely to end up in this car.
That being said, there would be concern that the closeness of these specs to that of the V6 model would cannibalize sales. Coming from a person with an education and background in business, it always struck me as odd that a car company would say that a lesser model of the same car would steal sales from it's slightly bigger brother. Most buyers will settle on a platform first, then select the trim. That's why you see men driving V6 Mustangs. They want the Mustang image, then they select the trim that suits them.
ello @ Dec 17th 2007 12:41PM
Injected, while the basic block design was designed by Hyundai, rest of the engine specs have been designed/tailored to each individual partner specifications, so probably you won't be able to use aftermarket parts that were designed for Evo X on lets say Hyundai Genesis turbo.
Injected @ Dec 17th 2007 1:12PM
Thanks ello for the reply. You are correct in syaing that just because the architecture underlying the engine is similar, does not mean they are the same.
Head, ECU, Crankshaft and other various swaps based on shared architecture have already become fairly common in the first generation of shared engine platforms. This is what I was driving at. Should the Hyundai variant be in fact a 2.0L, with a slightly shorter deck-height, then a stroker using the 2.4L crank from the SRT4 and pistons with slightly raised wrist pins would be possible. The possibility of an Evolution X headswap could also be implicated should this engine be based on the same that the 4B11T is based. This would solve the direct injection "problem" and also add MIVEC (of course this would mandate other parts such as controllers and probably an ECU swap or AEM EMS).
I'm just as speculative and excited at the prospect as the rest of the automotive community.
Tyo @ Dec 17th 2007 9:37AM
Friend of mine has an 89 conquest tsi, 20g turbo, big injectors, upgraded. TBI hard to tune well but it runs circles around most new tuner cars.
Being said, i love that this type of vehicle is making a comeback
John R @ Dec 17th 2007 9:40AM
An Accent with a 200 hp turbo motor could have good sleeper potential.
Capone @ Dec 17th 2007 10:16AM
if its a variant of the 4b11T used in the new evo that would be sweet.. but i dont think they would use direct injection for the engine aimed at tuners. Direct injection makes it very difficult to tune and add more fuel for Big boost application..
The new Evo engine isnt even direct injection.
naggs @ Dec 17th 2007 4:00PM
bah
give it time, they will figure out the DI turbo motors
MemphisNET @ Dec 17th 2007 10:08AM
Very cool, and puts pressure on Ford to get the 3.5 into the 'Stang. A twin-force Mustang would be awesome, but probably won't happen because of cost.
matt @ Dec 17th 2007 10:30AM
yay for turbos!
NewJerseyBMW @ Dec 17th 2007 10:39AM
Ahh here come another wave of 1987 dodge caravans with boosted mitsu motors....
Lil wayne:" i'm baaack, uh uh i'm baaaack!"
MemphisNET @ Dec 17th 2007 10:52AM
If you ever drove one of those Turbo manual vans, you wouldn't be poking fun lol.
Guenther @ Dec 17th 2007 1:02PM
Like Payton Manning says:
"Is it at least like a turbocharged sport minivan or something? No? Pause.... Hese's what you do- paint some flames on the side, maybe a number..."
iSpec @ Dec 17th 2007 11:17AM
With revenues of $67 billion, flat sales and an indifferent consumer perception, Hyundai can afford to take a huge leap in the Genesis coupe. Chairman Chung, this is your chance to get a chair at the big table with the Japanese that you have always wanted. We're waiting and hoping this is as good as it looks like its gonna be.
Guenther @ Dec 17th 2007 12:16PM
I'm a little concerned that this Genesis Coupe will be a bit more portly than what I had hoped for- a RWD vehicle, the size of the Tiburon. Maybe Nissan'll hook me up with their 240 re-incarnation.
naggs @ Dec 17th 2007 3:58PM
the 240 was like 26-2800 lbs
that is not going to happen again
im expecting the coupe to weigh 31-3300 lbs
iSpec @ Dec 17th 2007 2:44PM
Specs on the Genesis make it much bigger and heavier than a Tiburon. It will also have a lot more torque and power than the 2 liter and 2.7 liter engines.
speedball3 @ Dec 17th 2007 3:24PM
Hopefully Hyundai keeps it cheap and light, and not an attempted luxury coupe (3-series, G37) competitor. What other cheap RWD cars are there in the new car market? MX-5, Solitice/Sky, 350z, Rx-8.... anything else?
Gabe @ Dec 17th 2007 9:52PM
Good to hear the "plumping" is already in place for more power... Chubby-chasers of the world rejoice!