Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon.

The news came courtesy of John Krafcik, Hyundai's product development veep, who told Automotive News that the 2008 model year of the Tiburon would be its last. However, that doesn't mean the Tiburon is down for the count. Krafcik is insistent that the Genesis Coupe, which will be coming out about the same time the Tibby is euthanized, isn't a Tiburon replacement. "We are seriously looking at a small front-wheel-drive coupe to replace the Tiburon," Krafcik told AN, but he wouldn't give a time frame for its replacement. He did say that the Veloster coupe concept that debuted at the Seoul motor show last April would be the inspiration for Hyundai's new FWD, two-door offering. Hopefully, when the production version of the Veloster is unveiled, it'll carry the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot found in its RWD sibling.




[Source: Automotive News via Autoweek]

Click above to view video

Seems people haven't had enough of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe yet. We gave you all the official details and photos, action shots of both the V6- and turbo-four versions doing burnouts inside the Jacob Javits Center, and finally video of said tire torturing session. Hyundai has just released its own B-roll video of the Genesis Coupe that's meant for local news stations and the like reporting on the rear-wheel-drive coupe from South Korea. We snagged it too, and you can view beautiful panning shots of the car's exterior, as well as the first motion picture show of the Genesis Coupe driving on the road. Peep the video after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Click above for a high-res rubber-burning gallery

If there were ever a fail-safe formula for a press conference, Hyundai nailed it. While we're normally forced to endure lengthy tomes about an automaker's past achievements and the blatherings of egomaniacal execs, Hyundai comes out with two Genesis coupes doing burnouts, e-brake turns and powerslides, then caps it all off with enough pyrotechnics to make North Korea nervous. It was unequivocally badass, and not only does Hyundai have the recipe for a kicking press conference, they know how to cook up exactly what enthusiasts have been asking for.

Under the expert direction of a duo of bombshell drivers (one of which is Angelina Jolie's stunt driver, and both of which can be seen in the gallery), the two coupes made their way around the makeshift track in a smoky haze that was only partially caused by the copious amount of rubber put down on the faux tarmac (the rest was from the fireworks). Both models were present – the 310-hp, 3.8-liter V6 and the 223-hp (217 on swill-fuel) turbocharged 2.0-liter four. While there was a lot of talk about giving the people what they've yearned for, there was no word on price. We're guessing that the V6 will be somewhere around $25,000, while the turbo'd 2.0-liter will just crest the $20k mark.

Check out all the official info on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe in our original post, but don't forget to peruse the high-res gallery of live action shots from the presser below and the video too!

New York 2008: Hyundai Genesis Coupe doing power slides

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is the new rear-driver that enthusiasts have been waiting for, and the automaker showed the assembled mass of media just how fun its hot new ride is. Hyundai pulled out all the stops at its press conference, including hiring a couple of Hollywood's finest female stunt drivers to unveil what is perhaps its most exciting vehicle ever. Above is video of an impressive array of spin-outs, burnouts and power slides in V6 (Silver) and turbo-four (Red) flavors. This thing is completely hot. Check it out.

UPDATE: Video of actual press conference with execs talking after the jump.

Click above for full high-res gallery of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

It would've been cooler had the world met the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe on Wednesday when it's scheduled to be unveiled at the 2008 New York Auto Show. That's not how things are playing out unfortunately, what with the first batch of official pics showing up on the interweb over the weekend, and the rest appearing today (we found them on MotorTrend.com, but they surely exist elsewhere). So instead of a big surprise on Hump Day, you'll get live shots and lots of details on powertrains, the suspension, options, etc. But for now, here are the rest of Hyundai's official pics for the 2009 Genesis Coupe, including images of the car in red, more action shots and views of the interior.

Autoblog Podcast #83 was judiciously held back until after the embargo cleared, but we can now talk freely. The biggest news this week is the official unveiling of the Corvette ZR-1/Blue Devil. Powered by the new LS9 supercharged small-block, the car's performance is sure to be astounding. After laying eyes on the un-camoflaged car, hood porthole and all, we have to ask: is it overwrought? From ridiculous speed to ludicrous wordsmithing, we talk about the Nissan FORUM concept mainly for the chance to bash the hilariously composed press release. Maybe it was written in Japanese and they just passed it through translation software before releasing the announcement.

While we're being scornful, we turn our gaze to the new Knight Rider. We've been keepig an eye on all the news, and let's just say we expect the show to fail. The new Mustang-based KITT, even in Attack guise, is no Super Pursuit Mode original KITT. We wrap up with some discussion of Hyundai's move toward a turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-inject engine (GEMA?) and take that off into a discussion about the expanded selection of good, inexpensive, and powerful coupes. The finale is some speculation about the rendering of a new McLaren supercar, as well as analyzing the absurdly high price of the BMW 1-series. 43 minutes will do it, see you next week!

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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]

click above image for more pics of Hyundai's RWD coupe

Now that the final design for Hyundai's upcoming rear-wheel-drive coupe has been revealed, speculation has turned to what will be powering it. The photos of the undisguised car were reportedly taken during a marketing presentation at which those in attendance were told the only two available engines would be a 2.0L turbo with 215 HP and 217 ft-lbs of torque or a 3.8L V6 with 300 HP and 280 ft-lbs. While a 300-horsepower V6 is nothing to sneeze at, Hyundai hoons are still hoping the automaker makes a V8 available, as well. The only one Hyundai has to offer is the 4.6L V8 that's destined to power the Genesis sedan. Inside Line, however, cites Korean news reports as making explicitly clear that the 4.6L V8 is only for the Genesis sedan and will not be shared with the coupe. So it appears that those in search of a RWD V8 alternative to the Mustang in this price range will not have an option to consider at Hyundai dealerships.

[Source: Inside Line]

click above image to view more pics of the 2009 Hyundai BK Coupe

New Tiburon Forum member anthony718 just posted some pics of the new Hyundai Coupe totally undisguised. Saying he got the pics from "a friend," he details how the photos came from a market research event back in June. According to the info given, the Coupe would have two engine options, a 2.0L turbo with 215HP and 217 ft-lbs of torque, or a 3.8LV6 with 300HP and 280 ft-lbs. Prices were given as $19,900 for the 4 or $25,900 for the V6. While we have good reason to believe there will be a genuine V8 in the engine bay when we see the car in LA next week, this event was held back in June and changes could have been made since that time.

Hyundai is pitching this new Genesis Coupe as a Mustang fighter, so it's no surprise to see the Coupe sitting next to the Ford in these photos. We've discussed this 2009 model Hyundai quite a bit and now that we have some clear pics, it really looks like it's been worth the wait. Attractive in an Accord or G37 Coupe kind of way, the RWD Korean should make a splash in the sports/GT market when it reaches dealers next year. The looks and specs seem to indicate a worthy competitor, with rumored features like iPod integration in the center console, Bluetooth with the stock head deck, a sunroof, limited slip and possibly even a Brembo brake upgrade. We'll have more details about the car after we see it at the LA Auto Show, but for now, check out the best pics in our gallery below.

Thanks for the tip, Jose!

[Source: New Tiburon Forum]