SEMA Preview: RM460 Genesis Coupe with 500-hp mid-engine V8 gets rendered
by John Neff on Oct 22nd 2009 at 5:25PM 
Rhys Millen Racing RM460 Genesis Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
We've been keeping tabs on Rhys Millen Racing and their construction of a V8-powered, mid-engine Hyundai Genesis Coupe for the last few weeks. Called the RM460 Genesis Coupe, this car will make its official debut at SEMA in early November, but we've got the first rendering of the exterior right here for ya.
As we've mentioned before, the engine is the 4.6-liter Tau V8 normally found under the hood of a Hyunda Genesis sedan. The Gen Coupe's rear seat has been tossed to make room, and the V8 has been upgraded with eight individual throttle bodies, a set of JE pistons and an AEM engine management system that all work in concert to bump power to 500 horsepower. In order to make the engine accessible back there, RMR also replaced the trunk lid with a carbon fiber rear hatch that's vented and hinges near the roof line.
Being a SEMA car, there's hardly a bolt or nut on this car that hasn't been modified. The stock transmission was swapped out for a Mendeola five-speed sequential gearbox and the stock suspension augmented by a set of KW coilovers. HRE 560 Series 20-inch wheels, Toyo T1R tires and a StopTech braking system round out the hardware upgrades. The exterior, meanwhile, features an RMR Signature Edition kit with carbon fiber spoilers and custom RM ONYX HD paint job by BASF. The interior sports seats plus alcantara and carbon fiber trim panels from Sparco, and there's a boomin' sound system by Infinity as well.
We're interested less in the RM460's flashy bits than what the car means. It's a rolling test bed for how far both the Genesis Coupe and the 4.6-liter Tau V8 can be pushed, and hopefully RMR will pass all that knowledge onto Hyundai for incorporation into future iterations of the Genesis Coupe.
[Source: Hyundai]
PRESS RELEASE
RHYS MILLEN RACING CONVERTS GENESIS COUPE INTO PREMIER SPORTS CAR WITH MID-ENGINE V8 FOR SEMA
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 22, 2009 – As the centerpiece of this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) fabricated a Genesis Coupe with the award-winning 4.6-liter Tau V8 powerplant to develop the RM460 Genesis Coupe. The mid-engine configuration and enhancements create a 500-horsepower street car worthy of taking on any track or road course. Millen was drawn to the design similarities between the Genesis Coupe and the new Ferrari 599XX, which influenced the vehicle's classic low profile and race-inspired look. This marks the second year of the partnership between RMR and Hyundai creating show-stopping Genesis Coupes with the ultimate in aftermarket appeal.
"We've enhanced the original performance features and created a rear hatch for complete engine access and viewing pleasure," said Rhys Millen, owner, Rhys Millen Racing. "The Genesis Coupe platform combined with the Tau V8 borrowed from Hyundai's upscale Genesis sedan have allowed us to build a true show-stopper for SEMA. Placing the Tau V8 in the middle of the Genesis Coupe's architecture will improve vehicle handling, acceleration and braking and enhance the already dynamic driving experience."
The Tau V8 engine replaces the original back seat and maintains most of its original architecture with upgrades to eight individual throttle bodies and a set of JE pistons that bumps the compression ratio to 11.0:1. An engine management system by AEM has been added to speak to the factory Engine Control Unit (ECU) while maintaining all factory dash and gauge cluster functions. A Mendeola five-speed sequential transmission has been mounted to the V8 and tuned for a maximum speed of 182 mph. Suspension will be maintained by the original MacPherson strut dual-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension setup, and upgraded with a KW coilover component.
"The RMR RM460 Genesis Coupe perfectly showcases the rear-wheel drive platform of the vehicle as well as the performance capabilities of the powerful Tau V8 engine, available in the 2009 North American Car of the Year Genesis sedan," said Michael Deitz, manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Rhys Millen Racing has taken the best of both worlds – the Tau's flexibility and the Coupe's tuner-friendly driving architecture – to create a hybrid powerhouse for this year's show."
The RMR RM460 Genesis Coupe will showcase HRE 560 Series 20-inch wheels, Toyo T1R tires and an industry-leading high-performance braking system by StopTech. Modifications to the chassis have been made to better accommodate the engine, including an impressive custom rear glass hatch conversion allowing better access to the engine.
On the outside, the RMR RM460 Genesis Coupe will feature a RMR Signature Edition kit, a carbon fiber spoiler and custom carbon fiber rear hatch. Custom RM ONYX HD paint is provided by BASF. Inside the vehicle will have Sparco Chrono sports seats, Sparco Alcantara and carbon fiber interior panels, and Infinity Kappa Perfect Speakers and power amplifier.
RHYS MILLEN RACING
R. Millen Motor Sports Sales (RMR) was founded 15 years ago by Rhys Millen to fulfill a huge demand for quality aftermarket products created by the Millen Racing heritage. Similar to motor sport clothing merchandise to a race fan, RMR offers proven race products to street customers primarily based on its motor sports associations. Since its creation, RMR has built itself up become one of the industries most respected tuners for Toyota, Lexus and Mitsubishi. In addition to RMR's excellent relationship with auto manufacturers, the company has custom built many private vehicles for celebrities such as basketball star Dennis Rodman, actor Jason Priestley and rock star Alex Van Halen. RMR has also built cars and worked closely with the producers of the blockbuster hit franchise "The Fast and the Furious."
RMR currently offers more than 100 products that are designed and produced in its facility or private labeled exclusively for RMR. These parts are carefully designed to provide the customer with quick and easy installation instructions with the highest quality. In many cases, its parts have met or exceeded factory specifications allowing dealers to warranty their installation keeping the cars under the factory warranty.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. In addition, Hyundai Assurance is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
LaserRed38 5:28PM (10/22/2009)
Oh...now I know why they did it. Damn. This thing is HOT.
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Shaggs 12:54AM (10/23/2009)
I want this car so bad...
Whitecollarcriminal 8:15AM (10/23/2009)
Um...the CTS-V Coupe is going to KILL this car easily.
BoxerFanatic 5:35PM (10/22/2009)
I love mid-engined cars. This one looks hot.
But perhaps... if GenCoupe could just straight-swap the Tau V8 into the engine bay... it might be a little easier. :D
Maybe that should be an improvement, along with a less puckered face on the next re-fresh.
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groundZ 5:47PM (10/22/2009)
I thought so too. While midengined cars are fine for supercars and such, if the V8 could be shoehorned into the bay of an otherwise unmodified GenCoupe, it would be amazing.
I know they say cross shop this with the latest ponies, and while I know the V6 is capable, it just doesn't seem right to seriously compare a V6 and a V8, not from a performance standpoint, but from a purely emotional one.
RamblinReck89 6:07PM (10/22/2009)
Have you not been paying attention since it was announced that the Genesis Coupe wouldn't have a V8? It won't fit.
BoxerFanatic 6:45PM (10/22/2009)
Hence why I said with the re-fresh... They should make room for it to fit.
I know it doesn't fit now. If it did, Rod Millen wouldn't be stuffing it into the trunk, instead. :D
Although, even if next time, the car can have a V8 in front of the driver, the hatchback is still an idea that should be applied, and also one that should have been done from day 1. A tiny trunk lid makes even a decent sized trunk a moot point.
jsjs 5:03PM (10/23/2009)
Better than the production model, but there are aftermarket grills that look even better.
larry raines 5:44PM (10/22/2009)
glad they did not bling it - this looks pretty cool, no stickers and chrome
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RamblinReck89 12:06AM (10/23/2009)
They didn't want to have to deal with all the extra horsepower that the stickers would add.
jinsei888 5:45PM (10/22/2009)
The quality of that render is terrible. Additionally, the rendered bumper is also out of perspective. Just throwing that visual observation out there--nothing to do with the article, of course.
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Luso 5:45PM (10/22/2009)
What's with all the grooves in design these days?!?!
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Smokem 7:19PM (10/22/2009)
The front bumper looks better than the factory one only if this was a factory car it would've been awesome especially with the mid-engine V8.
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mrsmooth17 5:52PM (10/22/2009)
If the regular Genesis came as a V8, I would buy one in a heartbeat! The car is already sexy and has good performance and has an excellent value proposition. I wish Hyundai could find a way to put the V8 inside the Genesis. If they did the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger would really have to watch out!
PS: I would still buy the other Genesis coupe! Love that car!
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jsjs 5:05PM (10/23/2009)
You may only have to wait 5-6 years.
Reportedly, the next gen Genesis coupe will go upmarket and include a Tau variant (tho, still front-engine).
mrsmooth17 9:33PM (10/23/2009)
That is excellent! I guess it will really be a G37 and 3 series competitor then. That is great news! I would definitely buy it! Love the Genesis!
Andrew 6:05PM (10/22/2009)
Ok Hyundai, you make this car: Genesis Coupe, V8, mid-engine, don't mess up the front like on the current one, RWD, I will buy it in a heartbeat.
Why spend money with commercials trying to improve brand image, build this car and respect is yours.
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click_playaz 6:25PM (10/22/2009)
I think they rendered after seeing a Toyota FT-86.
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jsjs 5:11PM (10/23/2009)
You mean the Toyota FT-86 which has a Genesis-type headlamps and a 370Z type grill?
IzzyJ 6:29PM (10/22/2009)
I did some research and its still a Hyundai, so meh.
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