Hyundai Genesis Sedan and Coupe Storm SEMA
Jesse Sears
RSportsCars Automotive Editor
The Hyundai Genesis sedan, out now, and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe that will drop in the spring of 2009, is proof in pudding of Korean automaker Hyundai's rise to creating real, serious performance machines. The Genesis sedan and coupe are the culmination of a trend at Hyundai toward quality and driver engagement, without giving up the high value that has catapulted the brand from bottom-of-the-barrel economy to high on many prospective car buyers' lists.
To be taken seriously among the performance tuning community, Hyundai has touted the performance potential of the rear wheel drive Genesis Sedan and Genesis Coupe by commissioning several of the world's top tuning houses to upgrade the already more-than-adequate Genesis performance and styling to a new level.
The natural venue to showcase what can be done with this exciting brand new platform is the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show that hits Las Vegas each fall. Genesis Sedan tuners DUB, RIDES Magazine and RKSPORT showcased the luxury sport sedan's urban image, with tuning packages comparing it to say, the tuned Chrysler 300C or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The Genesis Coupe is a very different animal, though they are based on the same platform. HKS, Street Concepts and Rhys Millen Racing were chosen as most appropriate to bring out the best custom car potential in Hyundai's exciting new pony car competitor. Particularly noteworthy is the Rhys Millen Racing Genesis Coupe, which has been outfitted with a full autocross-ready track package, demonstrating just how much performance the new 2.0 Turbo from Hyundai is good for.
After the Tiburon has hung on always just outside of the sport compact tuning limelight, will Hyundai finally hit mainstream in the performance tuning world with the Genesis Sedan and Coupe? Both very different cars have the goods to deliver, and it is now up to the market as to just how far Hyundai has come.
Official Hyundai of America Press Release with specific model details follows...
The seven custom Genesis Coupes and sedans to be unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show demonstrate Hyundai’s commitment to its rear-wheel drive performance platform. From the Genesis sedan’s more luxurious take on performance, to the more overtly athletic nature of the Genesis Coupe, Hyundai has a wide range of performance and capability covered with the Genesis platform. The seven Genesis SEMA cars highlight this wide-ranging capability, from Rhys Millen’s 2.0T Genesis Coupe, inspired by the Japanese Super GT series, to the Euro-inspired RKSport Genesis sedan, with its Hyundai-engineered 460-horsepower supercharged 4.6-liter V8 engine concept. Hyundai’s custom concepts will be displayed at its SEMA booth (#24387) at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 4-7, 2008.
RHYS MILLEN RACING GENESIS COUPE
Rhys Millen Racing (RMR), one of the industry’s most respected tuners, designed the “Art of Speed” Genesis Coupe 2.0T with the visual impact to turn heads at the 2008 SEMA Show and the performance necessary to put the driver in the winner’s circle the following weekend.
The RMR Genesis Coupe is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger, wastegate and blow-off valve to provide extra horsepower and torque. It is equipped with a heavy-duty HKS sequential transmission and a KW coilover suspension to put that additional power to the ground.
The RMR Genesis Coupe sports a silver and blue paint scheme and a RMR dry carbon fiber wide body kit, functional hood scoop and an APR GTC-500 carbon-fiber wing. RMR added SSR Type-F competition lightweight wheels and Bridgestone Potenza racing slicks, which partner well with the race-ready factory Brembo brake system. Inside, the vehicle interior has transformed into a racing cockpit with a Sparco steering wheel and seat, eight-point roll cage and a RMR carbon fiber dash.
STREET CONCEPTS GENESIS COUPE
A long-time Hyundai tuner, Shawn Williams from Street Concepts delivered a modified Genesis Coupe outfitted with a black camouflage, Stealth Fighter-inspired paint design that compliments its aggressive styling. The exterior also features a custom grille design, tinted taillights and an APR rear wing.
The Street Concepts Genesis Coupe showcases Volk 19-inch racing wheels, Pirelli performance tires, a modified suspension and Brembo brakes. A Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and K&N cold air intake system enhance the performance of the 3.8-liter V6 engine. Interior modifications include a custom Infinity audio system, Recaro Sportster Topline seats and black suede accents designed to fit the Stealth Fighter theme.
HKSGENESIS COUPE
HKS, known for its premium performance parts, designed a customized Genesis Coupe that maximizes the driving performance capabilities for the serious driving enthusiast. The HKS Genesis Coupe includes a HKS GT2835R Turbo upgrade to maximize horsepower and torque, HKS stainless tubular manifold, HKS intercooler upgrade, HKS super sequential blow-off valve, HKS performance stainless cat-back exhaust, HKS carbon fiber air box and intake duct, HKS Super Fire spark plugs and HKS Hipermax III fully-adjustable suspension.
The HKS Genesis Coupe also showcases functional ground effects designed by Ken Style, HKS Time-Attack cars’ aerodynamic partner. The interior emphasizes driver comfort and control, with HKS electronics including CAMP2 that monitors up to 24 data signals from the Genesis OBD2 and programmable calculations for fuel costs, average fuel consumption and fuel efficiency in real time.
RKSPORT GENESIS SEDAN
The supercharged Tau V8 engine in the RKSport/Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) Genesis Sedan is sure to be one of the main attractions at Hyundai’s SEMA display. The supercharged Genesis is powered by Hyundai’s state-of-the-art 4.6-liter Tau engine, which produces an estimated 460-horsepower with the help of an IHI screw-type supercharger and 11 pounds of boost for performance driving. It also boasts advanced cylinder deactivation technology, which further improves efficiency and fuel savings at cruising speeds, delivering an estimated 18 miles per gallon in city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.
The exterior of the RKSport/HATCI Genesis is designed with a European look and feel. The Platinum Silver color scheme highlights the body kit, exterior components, clean lines and contours of the vehicle. Styling modifications to the RKSport/HATCI Genesis include a composite hood, polyurethane front lower fascia, rear lower fascia, left and right side skirts, plus a composite rear roof spoiler and trunk spoiler. RKSport partnered with well-known aftermarket companies to add Enkei Performance LS-5 wheels, a Baer performance brake package, K&N performance air intake, Eibach lowering springs and a Magnaflow performance exhaust.
RIDES MAGAZINE GENESIS SEDAN
RIDES magazine and Hyundai developed a technology center on wheels containing the latest technology both inside and out. As an added incentive to visit the Hyundai display, 5,000 RIDES Digital Genesis iTunes cards will be distributed from the car’s Wi-Fi network during the show.
Inside, the RIDES Genesis features the latest in digital accessories including two Mac Mini computers, a MacBook Air, iPod Touch, iPhone 3G, high-speed Wi-Fi Internet connection and movie theater-quality surround sound. The trunk houses its own Mac mini computer, a 20-inch Apple Cinema Display and a motorized tray containing the mouse and keyboard for the rear computer. Within the center console are the iPhone 3G, MacBook Air laptop and wireless keyboard and mouse for the Mac Mini mounted on the rear deck. Each passenger in the back seat has an individual computer with Internet connectivity. The 8.4-inch VGA headrest monitors are wrapped in the original leather to maintain the OE look and feel, while the seats contain suede accents.
Clean, purposeful exterior modifications compliment the high-tech interior. Changes include 22-inch custom-made, staggered fitment MHT three-piece wheels, Pirelli tires, custom-molded front body kit and side skirts, lowered suspension and smoked headlights. Custom dual-tip stacked exhausts and a custom-molded rear bumper accentuate the metallic silver and blue paint job.
DUB MAGAZINE GENESIS SEDAN
DUB magazine took two Hyundai Genesis sedans to the next level by enhancing their appearance with a DUB Edition makeover – one in white, the other in black. Upgrades include color-matched exterior pieces, custom lowering kits, an elaborate audio and video system, DUB emblems and tinted windows.
HYUNDAI GENESIS
The Genesis sedan is built on Hyundai’s all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers two powertrains, including a 3.8-liter V6 engine and Hyundai’s all-new 4.6-liter Tau V8. Tau produces 375 horsepower, leading all its competitors in specific output with 80 horsepower per liter while delivering 25 mile per gallon. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, Genesis showcases features such as XM NavTraffic, ZF six-speed transmission, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), Smart Cruise Control, Lexicon® audio systems and electronic active head restraints. Additionally, all Hyundai Genesis have standard iPod connectivity.
HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS
· Hyundai’s first rear-wheel drive sports coupe
· Estimated 310-horsepower from enhanced 3.8-liter V6 from Genesis sedan
· Standard 220-horsepower (estimated) intercooled, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder
· Genesis Coupe production model arrives in spring of 2009
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of South Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 800 dealerships nationwide.
More Pictures of Hyundai Genesis Sedan and Coupe Storm SEMA
