Hyundai Motor Co. has launched its Genesis Coupe in the Korean market at an event on Jeju Island. The coupe follows the Genesis sports sedan launched earlier this year. Hyundai promises the Genesis to be the most affordable 300-hp sport coupe on the planet.
The range-topping all aluminum DOHC 3.8-liter V6 Lambda RS will churn out 306 horsepower thanks to dual CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing on both inlet and exhaust valves) and is mated to a six-speed ZF automatic. The engine’s peak torque figure of 360Nm@4700rpm helps it get to 100kph from a standstill in 6.3 seconds.
The base engine will be the 210 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged Theta, which will do 0-100kph in 8.3 sec. They haven’t skimped on cornering ability, either, what with a 55/45 front-rear weight distribution, LSD, and a five-link setup for the rear suspension. A front tower strut bar is optional, as is the track-use package that throws in Brembo brakes that offer 340mm rotors in the front and 330mm at the rear with four-pot callipers.
Hyundai have also lavished a lot of attention to the interior. A dual cylinder-type instrument gauge cluster, a floor-mounted accelerator pedal and engine start button are among the design touches. A full bucket-type driver's seat holds the driver in place, while the 2820mm wheelbase makes things more comfortable for the other occupants. The front seat backrests feature walk-in memory design so that the original position of the backrest is restored on entry or egress of the rear seat passengers. Rear seats can be made to fold down with the folding lever in the cabin or the folding button in the trunk.
Safety comes courtesy a six-airbag system, active headrests, ABS, ESP and other acronyms. It is expected to earn a five-star crash safety rating. Entertainment (other than the kind you see in the opening shot) is via USB/iPod connectors, auxilliary audio inputs, 5.6-inch information display unit (for audio controls, digital clock, climate control, inside/outside temperature) and steering wheel-mounted remote controls for the audio system. An eight-speaker Infinity sound system is optional.
Hyundai hopes to sell 40,000 Genesis Coupes annually, 5,000 in Korea and 35,000 in overseas markets.