Hyundai Genesis Coupe: New Photos Surface

[YSSMAN]

Spy photographers have snapped photos of a new Hyundai coupe prototype in testing in South Korea. The vehicle appears to be the automaker's forthcoming rear-wheel-drive V8 Coupe, based on the BH platform.

As widely reported, a number of vehicles will be designed around the BH architecture, including the Genesis sedan, a similar Kia sedan, and possibly a truck. Like all other BH vehicles, the one will make use of the company's new Tau V8, which can produce over 300 horsepower.

There has been some speculation that this model is the 2009 Tiburon, but the general consensus is a new badge will be attached to this decidedly more premium car.

Image Shack is being a butt-head, so I'll link to the article with one photo:

See More Photos Here

...I like how they stole the wheels of the GS450h, styled the car like the Jaguar XK, and plan on selling it with a similar price and presumably performance to the Mustang GT...

 

[Jim Prower]

let's hope they gett the chassis tuning right.

 

[skip0110]

Competition betters the market.

 

[ExigeEvan]

They should have kept the V6 and gone the technological route I just don't see how you can adertise Korean "muscle".

Though the RWD is a nice change.

 

[Tornado]

I freaking wet myself, despite knowing full well it was going to happen. For the glorious, glorious win. So, why can't Toyota make cars like this again?

 

[JCE]

Image Shack is being a butt-head, so I'll link to the article with one photo:

See More Photos Here

...I like how they stole the wheels of the GS450h, styled the car like the Jaguar XK, and plan on selling it with a similar price and presumably performance to the Mustang GT...

I've been saying that exact thing for months now. It is a good day, I loved the old GT V6 in black. Yee F'ing haw!

let's hope they gett the chassis tuning right.

They will, Hyundai has been steadily been increasing it's technology on just about every aspect of their cars. The new Sonata has a really good suspension.

Competition betters the market.

I guess so. Something for the Mustang GT and S2000 crowd to look at eh?

They should have kept the V6 and gone the technological route I just don't see how you can adertise Korean "muscle".

Though the RWD is a nice change.

While I would of liked to see their 3.8L V6 with 263bhp, I think the addition of the V8 is a good thing. This means they can and will product larger displacement and larger engines with more cylinders. Which puts them right there with Nissan and Toyota for the Asian bragging rights with the V8's. I'd rather see a Hyundai supercar now than a Toyota. At least Hyundai makes EXCITING CARS!

I freaking wet myself, despite knowing full well it was going to happen. For the glorious, glorious win. So, why can't Toyota make cars like this again?

+100,000 Hyundai just passed Toyota on my list. I love the previous coupe, now with a 300BHP V8 and RWD the only thing that could be a negative is weight. But, I doubt it will weigh much more than the previous coupe it's replacing with that had less power and was still reasonably quick for its heft weight. I call this a FANTASTIC win for Hyundai and a HUGE loss for Toyota.

BRILLIANT HYUNDAI! My pre-approval 150%.

*edit*
Read this from LLN:

As widely reported, a number of vehicles will be designed around the BH architecture, including the Genesis sedan, a similar Kia sedan, and possibly a truck. Like all other BH vehicles, the one will make use of the company's new Tau V8, which can produce over 300 horsepower.

OVER 300bhp, this means the possibility of more than 300BHP? If they stuff that V8 into the Azera and bump its power output to 400bhp or so can you say competition for just about everything not German?

 

[ND4SPD]

Win!

 

[Omnis]

The only bad thing I can say is that I'd expect a V6 to have 300hp...

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I think this will serve a lesson to both Honda and Toyota to get their act straight. First a RWD V8 sedan called the Genesis (but will be called the Equus later on) for Honda's lack of enthusiasm of building a RWD sedan. And this, a RWD Tiburon, and according to the spy pics that is a 4-cyl version. So that means, Toyota got beaten for producing an affordable RWD hatchback (AE86 sucessor). And also a Hi-po V6 (to compete with the G37 coupe), and then a V8 (readying for the Supra)!

-> I only hope that the chassis tune will be sufficient (by testing at the best roads around the world), and a lighter frame unlike the current gen.

(:

 

[Kent]

So first it just looked like the Supra and now it will run like the Supra (with any luck).
Good for Hyundai... Too bad it's still a hyundai.
Just kidding.

 

[harrytuttle]

Over the past few years, I thought that Hyundai would replace Honda (and Honda would be somewhere else upmarket), but now I think that Hyundai is more on track to be where Toyota was, because this is clearly what the Supra should have been. Top to bottom, this is the Supra.

 

[JCE]

-> I think this will serve a lesson to both Honda and Toyota to get their act straight. First a RWD V8 sedan called the Genesis (but will be called the Equus later on) for Honda's lack of enthusiasm of building a RWD sedan. And this, a RWD Tiburon, and according to the spy pics that is a 4-cyl version. So that means, Toyota got beaten for producing an affordable RWD hatchback (AE86 sucessor). And also a Hi-po V6 (to compete with the G37 coupe), and then a V8 (readying for the Supra)!

-> I only hope that the chassis tune will be sufficient (by testing at the best roads around the world), and a lighter frame unlike the current gen.

(:

I think Honda will continue to concentrate their collective efforts on smaller 4cyl engines rather than even think about a large V6/V8. The V6 that's in the Pilot and Oddesey are quite good, they need to put that in the next gen Accord and up the power by 50bhp if they expect to compete.

 

[Blackbird.]

I always liked the Tiburon but only mostly for its looks. Now it's got a new found power and still keeps the great looks I love. Kudos Hyundai!

 

[TopHat]

Ok. Heres how non-luxury marques rank in my book.

1. Honda (Quality, Quality, Quality)
2. Hyundai ( This and the Genesis, the Sonata, the Entourage, the fact that they produce superior products at more than 1k off.)
3. Saturn (Aura, new Vue, Sky, Astra, Outlook)
4. Nissan (Everything but the Versa is drop dead gorgeous )
5. Scion (Scion xB, xD, tC )
6. Chevy (Camaro, the next Impala, the 08 Malibu, the GMT 900 trucks)
7. Ford (Fusion, Flex, F 150, Euro Focus )
8. Toyota (This is due to the complete blandness of their line up, and the fact that the Camry is decreasing in quality. My grandmas 98 Camry has more soft plastics than the new one. )

 

[YSSMAN]

Good point on this being the Supra, I hadn't really thought of it that way. Same too with the origional photos, as I was trying to count the injectors, and I thought there were a few missing...

...But that being said, if they can offer this car with RWD and such a wide selection of engines (I4, V6, V8), they should be able to appeal to a pretty wide range of customers. If they can get the V6 performance right, that just may be the sweet-spot for most of the customer base (most Tiburons I see are GT V6s), but the V8 certainly will be the halo car...

The engine?

Remember with the Genesis how Hyundai said the V8 was able to fit in a wide assortment of applications and indeed will be able to adapt to a wide range of situations? Forced-induction, they said, was a distinct possibility, and that if I recall was supposed to be good for something north of 400 BHP...

 

[a6m5]

I do appreciate Hyundai's will to advance in the market, but how much is this car? Not to put down Hyundai, but with their brand name, I think the pricing will be critical for a sports car like this.

 

[Joey D]

So, why can't Toyota make cars like this again?

Speaks the truth.

 

[lmracer]

the car in the pics uses a longitudinal four. the developing V8 must be elsewhere. i am anticipating the disection of the car by journalists though.. it should be neat

 

[GT Pro]

Sounds like a gutsy move, much like the Proton Spirra.

 

[daan]

OVER 300bhp, this means the possibility of more than 300BHP?

It also says

which can produce over 300 horsepower.

can. Can does not mean will.

Sounds like a gutsy move, much like the Proton Spirra.

Protomotors, not Proton.

 

[Famine]

Ok. Heres how non-luxury marques rank in my book.

1. Honda (Quality, Quality, Quality)
2. Hyundai ( This and the Genesis, the Sonata, the Entourage, the fact that they produce superior products at more than 1k off.)
3. Saturn (Aura, new Vue, Sky, Astra, Outlook)
4. Nissan (Everything but the Versa is drop dead gorgeous )
5. Scion (Scion xB, xD, tC )
6. Chevy (Camaro, the next Impala, the 08 Malibu, the GMT 900 trucks)
7. Ford (Fusion, Flex, F 150, Euro Focus )
8. Toyota (This is due to the complete blandness of their line up, and the fact that the Camry is decreasing in quality. My grandmas 98 Camry has more soft plastics than the new one. )

And Mazda, who can't make a bad-handling car?

 

[JCE]

It also says can. Can does not mean will.

What does that supposed to mean? I suppose Ferrari CAN get more power out of the 4.3L V8 in the F430 but that doesn't mean they will. Is this what you were talking about? I don't see the point of your post, really, other than to just come in and correct 2 people you thought were in error and leave. I am not in error, the engine can and will produce more than 300bhp during it's lifetime. I don't see how you think it won't. Every company improves on their engine and thus produces more power. It's just automotive fact.

 

[daan]

What does that supposed to mean? I suppose Ferrari CAN get more power out of the 4.3L V8 in the F430 but that doesn't mean they will. Is this what you were talking about? I don't see the point of your post, really, other than to just come in and correct 2 people you thought were in error and leave. I am not in error, the engine can and will produce more than 300bhp during it's lifetime. I don't see how you think it won't. Every company improves on their engine and thus produces more power. It's just automotive fact.

You've highlighted the "over 300bhp" part of the sentence, and assumed it will have 300bhp, when the article doesn't state that. It can have over 300bhp is not to say it will have. It may do over 300bhp later, but that's not necessarily now.

 

[JCE]

You've highlighted the "over 300bhp" part of the sentence, and assumed it will have 300bhp, when the article doesn't state that. It can have over 300bhp is not to say it will have. It may do over 300bhp later, but that's not necessarily now.

You're arguing over semantics? I said it has the possibility of producing over 300bhp. And what if Hyundai bring out the next Coupe with 301bhp? That's still "over 300bhp". But I digress.

Any clue when this thing is supposed to come out realistically? And if I read correctly there will be a new "premium" Hyundai badge?

 

[1X83Z]

And Mazda, who can't make a bad-handling car?

He put Hyundai ahead of everyone, Toyota last, and Scion on the list. I'm not proud of my Mazda, but that's the worst list I've seen in my entire life.

 

[TopHat]

Oh hell.... I knew I forgot someone..... Why the hell would I put scion on that list.... I'm gonna go make some revisions.

EDIT: Here ye go, oh mighty lords of the cars.

Ok. Heres how non-luxury marques rank in my book.
GODLY LEVELS OF AWESOME- VW, for being awesome in general.
1. Honda (Quality, Quality, Quality)
2. Hyundai ( This and the Genesis, the Sonata, the Entourage, the fact that they produce superior products at more than 1k off.)
3. Mazda ( Gorgeous, made a mini-van even more mini, and fun to drive, Mazda 6, the poor mans FWD BMW, the Mazdaspeed series, the MX5, the RX 8, The absolutely awesome looking CX crossovers. But I hate the Tribute.)
4. Saturn (Aura, new Vue, Sky, Astra, Outlook)
5. Nissan (Everything but the Versa is drop dead gorgeous )
6. Chevy (Camaro, the next Impala, the 08 Malibu, the GMT 900 trucks)
7. Ford (Fusion, Flex, F 150, Euro Focus )
8. Toyota (This is due to the complete blandness of their line up, and the fact that the Camry is decreasing in quality. My grandmas 98 Camry has more soft plastics than the new one. )

 

[JohnBM01]

I somewhat think something like this was coming. The only Hyundai most people care about is the Tiburon. Most people will be thinking that this is the best thing to happen to a car like this. The most underrated aspect about past Tiburons is that they pack some wicked horsepower in the compact ranks. I've used Tiburons in Gran Turismo 4 and in Need for Speed: Underground (weird transition). The thing has horsepower numbers in the 220 to (maybe) the 260 range. I don't have any viable stats on the current Tiburon, so my confidence in my last statement is low. It's still a pretty powerful machine. I best know the Tiburon as Paul Choinere was racing the late 1990's model Tiburon up Pikes Peak and winning all the while.

And then something like this rolls around. It looks like Hyundai has been tired of hearing people talk about how boring Hyundais are and are looking to do something about it by coming up with this. God as their witness, if they want to spice up their brand, then let them. I love the new Mustang, but I don't know if I'd go with this super-Tiburon apart from the Mustang GT. This should be very interesting to watch. I'd like to see what Hyundai comes up with when another Houston Auto Show rolls around so I can see it up close and in person.

 

[JCE]

I pretty much agree that Hyundai's have been boring, with exception to the Tiburon. But the new Sonata is a VERY good car, and it certainly isn't boring. 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

Don't forget about the stunningly good Entourage, not to mention the pretty-damn-good Santa Fe and Tuscon as well. Hyundai is doing very well for themselves, and having a RWD V8 coupe would only add to that.

I believe it was Car and Driver who said something to the effect that only Hyundai/Kia could "out-Toyota" Toyota. I believe cars like this prove it...

 

[JohnBM01]

But at this point, Toyota's been basically out of the sports car deal since sacking a number of their machines including the mid-to-late 1990s Celica (I did like the less powerful and FWD Celica, just not so much like the GT-Four of old), the MR-2 and MR-S which were America's most affordable mid-engined cars, and not to mention the awesome Supra. I say that if Hyundai wants to actually outdo Toyota, they'll need to come up with a number of vehicles including something to match up against the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra. The focus then shifts to if Hyundai actually wants to be the Japan-slayer of quality automobiles. Hyundai's going to have to bring the noise if they want to have any top-tier success in the American auto market. I'm talking about something along the lines of "why buy a (well-respected Japanese auto maker here) when you can get a Hyundai?"

I found my booklet on Hyundai's 2007 lineup. Besides the Tiburon, I like the Elantra and Accent. The Accent was credited by Motor Trend as being the car that could really dominate the entry-level segment previously held by the Japanese. I hate hearing and seeing "boy racer" in print and online, but I kind of imagine the Accent in rally trim like in the World Rally Championship. The Elantra is very nice as well. It has nice lines and a clean look. The Tiburon is easily the one I'm most fond of. By reading online (edmunds.com), the Tiburon has a base 2.7 liter V6. Sounds like some serious muscle for its segment. I'm sorry for overhyping the Tiburon's engine numbers. Maybe the Tiburons I've raced in games were in the 200+ range. The Tiburon GT actually comes in at 172hp. I didn't have any material about the horsepower numbers on the Tiburon GT prior to making my initial post. Only non-car I like from Hyundai is the Tucson. I think it's pretty nice. Plain, but sometimes, plain works.

Let me close out with a look back. I was looking up the Hyundai Genesis concept car on Google. Funny enough, the article's title asked if the Genesis could lead to a RWD Tiburon. Sure enough... we're probably getting an RWD Tiburon. Maybe this change in some of Hyundai's cars could give it more appreciation among most American buyers who think Hyundai's a maker of city cars that don't amount to anything exciting or interesting. Here's the old autoblog.com article that focused on the Hyundai Genesis and speculated on the possibility of a RWD Tiburon: < http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/28/could-the-hyundai-genesis-lead-to-a-rear-wheel-drive-tiburon/ >. Certainly not the Hyundai of old. That's for sure.