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Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing show off Tau V8-powered RM500 Genesis Coupe

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Ever since Hyundai debuted its Tau 5.0-liter V8, we wondered just how tough it would be to shoehorn the naturally aspirated monster under the hood of the Genesis Coupe. After much anticipation, the Korean automaker has teamed up with Rhys Millen Racing to bring us this, the RM500 – a 450-horsepower Genesis Coupe with a free-breathing, eight-cylinder heart.

The 5.0-liter powerplant is obviously the big story for the RM500, but there are plenty of other upgrades that make this one-off Genesis Coupe all the more interesting. RMR has added a custom stainless exhaust with a GReddy rear section muffler, oil cooler and rear differential cooler – all good for 20 additional horsepower. What's more, RMR has added things like a lightweight clutch and flywheel, new engine management system (natch), Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and new 19-inch tires on super-slick Z-rated tires (245/40 front, 275/35 rear) mounted on custom HRE wheels.

Specific RMR visual enhancements include a whole bunch of carbon fiber aero tweaks. Specifically, a new front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser, spoiler, grille, roof overlay, foglamp vents and foglamp covers. The end result is a sinister-looking Genesis Coupe that we'd love to get our mitts on.

Moving inside, RMR and Hyundai have added an interior suede package (because it wouldn't be a SEMA car without a touchy-feeling interior), sport seats, a new shift knob and a small steering column extension, among other little details.

Like most SEMA cars, we don't expect a factory version to come along anytime soon. But we'll say this: It's very good to know that the big V8 will fit under the Genesis Coupe's hood so cleanly. You know, just in case Hyundai might have something else up its sleeve...

Gaze in wide-eyed wonder at our high-res galleries, then check out the official press release for more after the jump.
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RHYS MILLEN RACING CONVERTS HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE INTO THE ULTIMATE TUNED SPORTS CAR WITH 5.0-LITER TAU V8 ENGINE

RM500 Genesis Coupe on Display at Hyundai's 2011 SEMA Show Booth


COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2011 – Making auto enthusiasts' wishes come true at this year's SEMA Show, Rhys Millen Racing's (RMR) modified Genesis Coupe features Hyundai's most powerful engine under its hood – the award-winning 5.0-liter Tau V8. The RM500 Genesis Coupe is a 450-horsepower machine with a distinct, production-ready look. This marks the fourth year of the partnership between RMR and Hyundai creating show-stopping vehicles for tuners and consumers alike.

"From the moment I saw the Tau V8 engine in the Genesis R-Spec sedan, I knew it would be a perfect fit for the Genesis Coupe, adding even more performance and power to the dynamic coupe," said Rhys Millen, owner, Rhys Millen Racing. "The sleek and practical exterior modifications would allow this Genesis Coupe to look good parked in your driveway or turning laps at the track."

In addition to the Tau V8, the all-black Genesis Coupe receives a custom RMR stainless exhaust with GReddy rear section muffler and titanium tips, oil cooler and rear differential cooler. These mechanical enhancements give Hyundai's most powerful engine an extra 20 horsepower boost.

"The RMR RM500 Genesis Coupe is a natural home to showcase the performance capabilities of the powerful Tau V8 engine, available in the 2012 Genesis sedan," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Rhys Millen Racing has taken the Tau's power and the Coupe's tuner-friendly driving architecture to create a true show-stopper for SEMA this year."

The RMR RM500 unveils a new line of RMR products for the Genesis Coupe, featuring a RMR carbon front lip, carbon spoiler, carbon rear diffuser, carbon side skirts, carbon fog light ducts and carbon grill. The Genesis Coupe also showcases HRE 793-RS 19-inch wheels, Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires and Brembo carbon ceramic rotors with Brembo six and four piston calipers. The inside of the vehicle features the RMR suede trim package and Sparco accents.

Mechanical components RMR modified include:

Hyundai 5.0-liter Tau V8 Engine
RMR Custom Stainless Exhaust with Greddy SE Rear Section
RMR Custom Adapter Plate
RMR Custom Light Weight Clutch & Flywheel
K&N Panel Filter
AEM Engine Management System
Brembo Carbon Ceramic Rotors (Front – 15.5-inch, Rear – 15-inch)
Brembo Six Piston Front Calipers Four Piston Rear
HRE 793-RS II-Spoke Rims (Front – 19x8.5, Rear – 19x9.5)
Hankook Ventus V12 Tires (Front – 245/40ZR19, Rear – 275/35ZR19)
Interior enhancements include:

RMR Interior Suede Trip Package
Sparco Chrono Sport Seats with RMR Accents
Sparco Track Sliders
RMR Seat Brackets
Sparco Tecno Leather Shift Knob
RMR 1-inch Steering Column Extension
RMR also made the following exterior enhancements:

RMR Carbon Front Lip
RMR Carbon Side Skirts
RMR Carbon Rear Diffuser
RMR Carbon Three Piece Spoiler
RMR Carbon Grill
RMR Carbon Overlay Roof
RMR Carbon Fog Light Vents with Brake Ducts
RMR Yellow Fog Light Covers
RHYS MILLEN RACING

World Champion driver Rhys "Mad Skills" Millen pilots the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the Formula DRIFT Championship and the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Veloster rally car in the U.S. Rallycross Championship Series, including Summer X Games. Millen's driving credentials include movie stunts, multiple drifting championships, a Pikes Peak world record and his 2008 New Year's Eve Las Vegas truck flip at Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. Behind Millen's success in the driver's seat is a full team of engineers and fabricators that know how to maximize the potential of a race car. With more than 17 years of racing experience, Rhys Millen has established himself as one of the premier rally/drifting drivers in North America. Rhys is the son of famed rally and off-road racer Rod Millen. Rhys won the Formula Drift championship in 2005 and the Red Bull Drifting World Championship in 2008. In 2009 at the PPIHC, Millen won the Time Attack 2WD class in his carbon-bodied Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Information

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