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Hyundai Axes Genesis Coupe

August 4, 2016 by Tom Williams 2 Comments

2016 Genesis Coupethat

Hyundai announced that 2016 will be the last for the Genesis Coupe after a six year run. Prior to the Genesis, Hyundai had trotted out of string of forgettable ‘sporty’ cars, so when the 2010 Genesis Coupe arrived, it was a dramatic shift for the Korean automaker. Boasting rear wheel drive, a choice of a turbocharged four or V-6 and available six-speed manual, Hyundai finally had a car with appeal to auto enthusiasts. So, what gives? Hyundai now uses the Genesis name as a luxury sub-brand, so if you believe what Hyundai has to say, the current Genesis Coupe doesn’t fit into the Genesis brand. Some media speculated that in light of this, the Genesis Coupe would simply continue under a different name, but Hyundai has other plans. There will be another Genesis coupe, perhaps as early as 2017, but that car will be higher end in keeping with the new Genesis brand image.

Hyundai is to be commended for taking a risk and building the Genesis Coupe, and having driven a few it was an enjoyable car. But there were a couple problems. At a glance, it was a dead ringer for the more expensive and refined Infiniti G37 coupe-not a bad thing, but if your expectations were what you expected from a G37, you didn’t get that. Perhaps the biggest problem was the Genesis Coupe was never the car itself, but who the car was competing against. A rear wheel drive performance oriented Hyundai was heretofore completely unheard of. But for the same money, the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro (with V-6 power) need no introduction. And in North America, they need no explanation as to why you bought one, where the Hyundai might raise some questions, and buyers of cars like these might not be in love with defending their purchase. So while Hyundai did bring a gun to a gun fight, it was still a rookie against seasoned gunslingers John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. One look at what you see on the road today, and it’s abundantly clear we picked the legends over the new guy.

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Review: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

October 9, 2012 by Tom Williams 3 Comments

In case you haven’t noticed, Hyundai is a company that is not known these days for complacency. With new models being introduced at a furious pace, Hyundai is constantly evolving and improving their cars. You would expect that attention to be lavished upon the bread and butter Elantra and Sonata. And us enthusiasts are simply thankful Hyundai offers a rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports coupe at all, and we’d even forgive Hyundai for not refreshing a high-profile but niche car. But that’s not how Hyundai rolls.

The Garage reviewed a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and came away generally impressed. For 2013, Hyundai has revised the Genesis Coupe, and the results of some minor tweaking show a considerable improvement over what was already a fine performance car. The most obvious change from outside is the new nose treatment which gives the Genesis Coupe a far more serious look to it. The bolder design makes last year’s car look meek in comparison. The hood scoops also add some visual interest, but they are for decoration only. Apart from new taillamps, the Genesis Coupe is unchanged from before. Finished in Gran Premio Gray with handsome 19″ wheels, our Genesis Coupe showed a level of sophistication not seen in the prior car.

Hyundai also spruced up the interior for 2013. Instead of idiot lights between the speedo and tach, the driver is greeted with a more contemporary LCD screen for vital information. The center console has also been improved, again offering a more contemporary appearance. A nice touch not seen on last year’s car is the introduction of three analog gauges offering oil pressure, torque meter or turbo boost. Not a big deal, but it does a lot to add sport coupe credibility. The rest of the Genesis Coupe’s interior is untouched, which isn’t a bad thing. While I still find the location of the power window and mirror controls less than ideal, the ergonomics are otherwise excellent. Visibility remains very good for a sports coupe, and as before, I found the seats very comfortable. I loved the red and black interior color combination, reminding me of my friend’s old BMW 633CSi. Classic.

Hyundai did not simply give the Genesis Coupe a facelift and an interior upgrade. The engine room received much attention, not that anyone was complaining for lack of power. As before, Hyundai offers the Genesis Coupe with either a turbocharged four cylinder, or normally aspirated V-6. For 2013, the base Genesis Coupe is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four rated at 274hp, a 30% boost in power over last year’s car. Our test car sported the V-6, a 3.8L direct injected powerplant generating 348hp, a full 42hp more than the 2012 V-6. Expect 0-60mph in the low 5-second range. The V-6 Genesis Coupe is one fast car, and the power delivery is so linear. The fact that the car produces one heck of a sinister exhaust note only sweetens the deal, and you’ll find yourself downshifting and blipping the throttle just to hear the fun.

If I had a complaint about the driving experience of the last Genesis Coupe, it was the shift linkage in the manual transmission. Thankfully, Hyundai heard the complaint, and for 2013 the six-speed manual is a dramatic improvement, and definitely helps make hustling the Genesis Coupe an even more enjoyable experience. Our test car was the R-Spec, meaning it has the firmest suspension and beefiest brakes offered. Even so, the car was very easy to live with, and perfectly comfortable over less than perfect roads. With summer tires, the Genesis stuck like glue to the pavement, and handling was exceptional. It’s a very rewarding and easy car to drive quickly on your favorite back road.

A base Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T starts at $24,250USD. If you can swing it, I strongly advise shelling out more for the V-6. Not that the four is slow, but the soundtrack and smooth power delivery is worth every penny. The V-6 Genesis Coupes are offered in R-Spec, Grand Touring and Track models. The R-Spec is the entry-level car, but you wouldn’t know it. The R-Spec includes a front strut tower brace, 19″ wheels with summer performance tires, Brembo brakes, Torsen limited slip differential, leather and cloth sport seats, six speaker stereo with XM satellite radio and Bluetooth. Including delivery, our Genesis Coupe R-Spec rang in at $29,625.

That represents one heck of a performance bargain. The improved Genesis Coupe has a lot going for it. More practical than a Nissan 370Z. More lively, nimble and involving than V-6 powered Camaros or Mustangs with a much better interior to boot. Hyundai’s dive into the world of rear wheel drive sport coupes was impressive, and three years later Hyundai has made small changes that have greatly improved the overall package. Well done.

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Review: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

February 11, 2010 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

If there ever was a reason to believe in second chances, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a prime example. I briefly drove a Genesis Coupe 3.8 with an automatic last Spring, and while I liked it, the car didn’t leave much of an impression on me. All that would change the second time around. After a week with a 3.8 Grand Touring with a proper 6-speed manual, I am impressed, and have a deep admiration for a car that would have been unthinkable to have come from Hyundai even just a couple years ago.

At first glance, one might dismiss the Genesis Coupe as a copy of the Infiniti G37 Coupe (as I did), but the more time I spent looking at the car, the car seemed to come into its own. Sure, the basic architecture-a rear-drive, 2+2 sports coupe is common, but the Genesis takes some risks where the G37 is restrained. The Hyundai has a racier, more aggressive and slightly more youthful appearance, yet still presents itself as a serious driver’s car.

[Read more…]

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Default ThumbnailDriven: Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring

Rhys Millen attacks Pikes Peak with Hyundai Genesis Coupe

August 1, 2009 by Gary Grant 14 Comments

We all know that win on Sunday, sell on Monday still applies and while some manufacturers are clawing back at their racing budgets, others are upping the dollars in the right places. Ford is working hard with the Fiesta, climbing Pikes Peak and a stop at the X Games this weekend. Hyundai is hammering the living daylights out of the new Genesis Coupe on the drift circuit and also climbed the peak.

Not only did Hyundai show up at Pikes Peak ready for battle, but Rhys Millen would make it to the top in 12:09. That was quick enough to not only win the 2wd time attack class, but also set a new world record. Hmmmm.

The other coupe manufacturers should be worried. Hyundai means business with this new machine!

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Driven: Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring

July 23, 2009 by Tom Williams 4 Comments

Our “Driven” series highlights the several cars I was able to sample at IMPA’s Spring Brake 2009 event. These short takes are summaries of my driving impressions of the cars on the roads surrounding Bear Mountain State Park in Rockland County, New York.

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The Genesis Coupe was on the short list of cars Gary wanted me to drive at this event, and it wasn’t until late in the afternoon I finally got my chance. From the first time I ever saw the Genesis Coupe I was taken by the car’s handsome looks-at a glance it could be easily confused with an Infiniti G37 Coupe.

The Grand Touring model I drove had all the bells and whistles, yet still rings in at an impressive $29,000USD. The turbocharged four cylinder Genesis starts around $22,000, but the base 3.8 pumping out 306 hp can be had for an unbelievable $26,500. For the record, the Infiniti G37 starts at $35,900.

[Read more…]

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Hyundai to show new rear wheel drive coupe concept at LA auto show

October 30, 2007 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

hyundai-genesis-coupe.jpg

Hyundai has just released a couple of sketches of the rumored rear wheel drive coupe that might be in the works. It’s called the Genesis and gives us an idea where Hyundai is going with their future styling. Could this be the next gen shark?
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