Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, first released on October 13, 2008, for the Korean market. It is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan.
The Genesis Coupe arrived in United States dealerships on February 26, 2009, as a 2010 model. Hyundai USA acting president and CEO John Krafcik described the Genesis Coupe as being designed "...to deliver a driving experience that challenges cars like the Infiniti G37."
With the launch of Genesis Motors as a standalone luxury brand, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe remained branded as a Hyundai and eventually was discontinued in 2016.
2008–2012 model
Pre-production
Photos of a heavily camouflaged Genesis Coupe prototype appeared on the internet as early as May 2007, fueling anticipation and speculation. The spy photos suggested that Hyundai's new coupe would be rear-wheel drive, as pictures of the engine bay showed a longitudinal engine orientation typical of front-engine, rear-drive vehicles. The pictures also showed a four-cylinder engine with a heat-wrapped turbocharger. Speculation on potential engines for the new coupe ranged from the turbocharged four-cylinder pictured to the Tau V8 that Hyundai had developed for the luxury-oriented Genesis.Shortly before the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, more photos were leaked of an uncovered silver Genesis Coupe next to a silver Ford Mustang, presumed to be the Genesis Coupe's target competitor.
Initial release
The production Genesis Coupe was unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, showcasing a red and a silver model. The unveiling was accompanied by a demonstration of the coupe's abilities with powerslides and burnouts. North American models went on sale in spring of 2009 as a 2010 model.Trim levels
Genesis Coupe trims are based around two engine choices. Trim levels include: 2.0T Base, 2.0T R-Spec, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Track , 3.8 Base, 3.8 R-Spec, 3.8 Grand Touring, and 3.8 Track.Base models start with keyless entry, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free, tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, USB/iPod + Aux input, electronic stability control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, 18-inch wheels, and strut bar. The 2.0T Base used a 6 speed manual transmission or 5 speed automatic while the 3.8 Base used a 6 speed manual or automatic transmission. The 3.8 Base adds black leather interior and light-up "Genesis" door sill plates.
The 2.0T Premium and 3.8 Grand Touring add a touch screen infotainment system with navigation, keyless entry with push-button start, power adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, leather interior, 360 watt 10 speaker system, automatic headlights, sunroof/moonroof, and electrochromic dimming mirror with compass. The 3.8 Grand Touring is the only model with brown leather instead of black and ultrasonic rear parking sensors. The 3.8 Grand Touring also receives fog lights.
For enthusiasts, the R-spec models come with 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, a Torsen Limited slip differential, a stiffer suspension, summer-only Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires, and factory supplied front camber bolts. However the R-spec models lose the Premium / Grand Touring features for weight reduction: Bluetooth hands-free, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents, steering wheel audio controls, and only come with the 6 speed manual transmission. The Genesis Coupe R-Spec trims are available with a base price $3,000 less than the Track models.
The Track trims combine the enthusiast R-spec features with the Premium / Grand Touring features. In addition, the trims further add HID headlights, fog lights with DRLs, and rear spoiler.
Regional differences
While the Genesis Coupe that is released in North America will look the same as the Korean version, the suspension setup is stiffer according to American demographic.Hyundai Canada offers a proximity key for all V6 models, push button start or side-mirror marker lights on the 3.8L models and no spoiler on either the 2.0T or 3.8L V6. In fall of 2009, Hyundai began Genesis production with Navigation systems.
In some countries Hyundai Genesis Coupe will also be sold as Hyundai Genesis R-Spec, which comes with both the 3.8-liter and 2.0T engine and features some sport-oriented options.
Customized versions
Hyundai RMR "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe 2.0t (2008)
The RMR Genesis is a version of the Genesis Coupe 2.0T with an RMR turbo kit, HKS sequential transmission, K&W coil over suspension, silver and black body colour scheme, RMR wide body kit, functional hood scoop, carbon fiber wing, Enkei racing wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE-01 tires, Brembo brake calipers, Sparco steering wheel and seats, eight-point roll cage, and an RMR carbon fiber dashboard.The vehicle was unveiled at the 2008 SEMA Show.
Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec (2009–)
The R-spec 2.0T is a version of the Genesis Coupe 2.0T Track with fewer factory options, resulting in it being 68 pounds lighter than the 2.0T Base/Premium models.The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 SEMA Show.
RM460 Genesis Coupe (2009)
The RM460 is a Genesis Coupe with a 4.6-liter Hyundai Tau engine V8, built by Rhys Millen Racing. The engine is mounted behind the passenger compartment to become a mid-engine rear wheel drive platform. The numerous modifications are: an increased compression ratio to 11.0:1, engine management system by AEM, Mendeola five-speed sequential transmission, original MacPherson strut dual-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension, with a KW coilover component; HRE 560 Series 20-inch wheels with Toyo T1R tires, StopTech brakes, RMR Signature Edition kit, a carbon fiber spoiler and custom carbon fiber rear hatch, custom RM ONYX HD paint from BASF, Sparco Chrono sports seats, Sparco Alcantara and carbon fiber interior panels, Infinity Kappa Perfect Speakers and power amplifier.The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 SEMA Show.
RM500 Genesis Coupe (2011)
The RM500 is a Genesis Coupe with a 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine rated at 450 hp, built by Rhys Millen Racing. It included: custom RMR custom stainless exhaust with Greddy rear section muffler and titanium tips, oil cooler, rear differential cooler, RMR Custom Adapter Plate, RMR Custom Light Weight Clutch & Flywheel, K&N Panel Filter, AEM Engine Management System, Brembo Carbon Ceramic Rotors, Brembo Six Piston Front Calipers Four Piston Rear, HRE 793-RS II-Spoke Rims, Hankook Ventus V12 Tires, 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 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.The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 SEMA Show.
Motorsport
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe competed at the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and select Redline Time Attack Series events in 2009 – thanks to a joint venture between Hyundai and racing champion Rhys Millen, who will drive the Red Bull-sponsored race car on those events. Millen's V8 engine is running with mostly stock internals and its original Hyundai's 5.0-liter displacement.GoGoGear.com Racing started racing a Genesis Coupe in 2012 in the United States Touring Car Championship and won the championship in 2014 in a 3.8 liter V6 Genesis Coupe. They became the first team to win a road racing championship ever in a Hyundai in the USA. In 2015, the team finished second in the championship.
In July 2009, Millen and the Genesis Coupe set a new record for two-wheel drive production-based cars at Pikes Peak.
In June 2011, Rhys Millen set a new record for 2WD Time Attack using the same Genesis Coupe with a time of 11:04.912.
Facelift (2011)
The Korean model was unveiled at the 2011 Korea Speed Festival in Yeongam, South Korea.The North American model was unveiled at the 2012 Detroit North American International Auto Show as a 2013 model year vehicle. The Lambda MPi engine was replaced by the Lambda GDi engine.
The front bumper and hood received a styling revision that incorporates Hyundai's fluidic corporate design language a la Veloster. Transmission choices include an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters or a 6-speed manual transmission.
In response to criticisms about materials quality from reviewers and owners, Hyundai significantly improved materials quality for the new model. New features include a leather handbrake handle, plasmacluster air filtering, red leather interior option, LED accents above the foglights, and LED taillights.