2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Road & Track - By Andrew Bornhop • Photo by Greg Jarem
With rear-wheel-drive architecture and powerplants that include a 223-bhp turbocharged 4-cylinder and a V-6 producing more than 300 bhp, the all-new 2009 Genesis Coupe — expected to hit dealers next spring — represents Hyundai's first foray into the rear-drive sports-coupe market that includes the likes of Infiniti G37, Mazda RX-8 and BMW 335i. And based on what we saw sliding dramatically onto the stand at New York, we like both its aggressive shape and its mechanical makeup.
It starts with a chassis based on that of the new rear-drive Genesis sedan, said to be 24 percent stiffer in bending than BMW's E46 M3 Coupe. Front strut suspension is complemented by a multilink rear, and the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is a 2.0-litre that puts out 223 bhp at 6000 rpm and 217 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 2500 rpm. Buyers will have a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The top model is called the 3.8, powered by Hyundai's aluminum-block Lambda V-6 with 306 bhp at 6000 rpm and 263 lb.-ft. of torque at 4700 rpm. This engine is also available with a 6-speed manual, but the automatic is a ZF 6-speed ZF box with Shiftronic. Hyundai says the 3.8 will hit 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds.
The model that captures our attention is the SE, a particularly sporty version (available with either engine) fitted with high-performance summer tires, firmer suspension, a limited-slip differential, a strut tower brace and huge 4-piston Brembo brakes on duty within the car's 19-in. alloy wheels.
Hyundai's new Genesis Coupe car reminds us a bit of what the 240SX might have become (had Nissan continued to build it), and we can only hope that it will have that car's excellent dynamics.
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