Hyundai Genesis Coupe goes turbo
18 Dec, 2007
19 Comments 
Today is a great day for car enthusiasts. Ford has confirmed their Focus RS and Hyundai has confirmed the Genesis Coupe will be given the turbocharged treatment.
Set for debut in the US in 2009, the turbocharged engine will be a landmark for the Korean brand as it moves to catch its Japanese rivals. The Genesis Coupe now has three engine choices; a four-cylinder turbo and naturally-aspirated V6 and V8s.
The engine will be built in South Korea, a result of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, Hyundai’s joint venture with Mitsubishi and Chrysler.
The new Hyundai has the potential to become the next Nissan 200SX and consequently a cult car. Currently there are no Japanese coupes on the market with a rear-wheel-drive setup and a turbocharger.
Although the rear-wheel-drive Genesis coupe was previously reported as the Tiburon replacement, it now appears that Hyundai will still keep the front-wheel-drive setup for another coupe to replace the Tibi.
According to John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president for product development, the Genesis will not be the last to receive the turbo treatment.
“We like the idea of turbo, so we’ll do others, I think the timing is good because no one else has a four-cylinder, rear-drive platform with a turbocharger.” Krafcik said.
Hyundai has also confirmed there are no immediate plans for hybrid vehicles.
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December 18th, 2007 at 11:24 am
****PRIMO!****
Pfffft, would have been better the V8 fitted with the turbo! :-)
What about the TQ/H1/Starex Van?
Cheers
F-0
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December 18th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Sort out that drunken lower window line and it is actually very good looking.
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December 18th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Yay, turbo!
No, wait…. I’ll take the V8, thanks :)
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December 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Hyundai are doing a bloody good job of changing their boring cheap car image of late. The i30 looks like its going to sell very well. And this looks awesome, if they do a good job of the engine and gearbox and handling it will be one of the finer performance bargains on the market…
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December 18th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Spoilt for choice. So long as they make engines that will make the car go as good as it looks - that will be refreshing from Hyundai! Toyota - take NOTES here for your upcoming return of Celica - don’t frig it up again!
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December 18th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
“Hyundai are doing a bloody good job of changing their boring cheap car image of late”
You’d be very right there, i’m no fan of any Korean rubbish. But if anyone in Korea trying hard to win over people like me its Hyundai. What a massive range they’ve hit us with just recently. And not to mention engine choices to boot.
But on the down side…
“We like the idea of turbo, so we’ll do others, I think the timing is good because no one else has a four-cylinder, rear-drive platform with a turbocharger.” Krafcik said”
Does anyone really care about this statement, given so many are now moving to the AWD platform for sports cars? Event Toyota aka (Excitement Not Required) considered this for the Aurion TRD.
And as for handling, i’d wait until I drive one before passing judgement. The last Hyundai I drove, seem to have a problem with bumby & wet roads, not to mention the steering wheel appeared to be intermittently connected to the steering rack :)
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December 18th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
The V8 could be fun. I think the only V8 coupe we have in aus is the monaro which isn’t even being made anymore? I want a V8 but I don’t want a falcadore!
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December 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Max, you’re forgetting the Germans. Mercedes definitely make some sexy v8 coupes, and if you want to look like everybody else who wants to impress girls you can always go BMW :D
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December 18th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Remember that Hyundai is competing with the japs. If they were to make them V8s, nobody in Japan would buy it, as they like to rev their engine hard (civic type-R, S2000, new STI (8000rpm compared to the aus 6750rpm redline)). A big V8 would just rev up to 7000rpm max (well, except for audi RS4 and R8 engine).
I would prefer a L4 Turbo, for response and fuel consumption.
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December 18th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I wonder if the turbo version will be based on the new 2.0 2Z engine which is about to debut in Hyundai’s home market i30?
Anyone now anything about this (2Z) engine? I hope it has a hell of a lot more low down torque than the current Beta II.
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December 18th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Mr Funk, I forgot to mention ‘affordable’.
Ivan, what are you talking about? You think the Japanese aren’t going to buy a car solely because its engine redlines at lower than its competitors?
If you are looking for response get a V8 - and this coming from someone driving a turbo 4. If you plan on driving the car enthusiastically a turbo 4 will suck just as much fuel as an 8.
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December 18th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Even if this Hyundai v8 was successful, the Japanese still wouldnt buy it simply out of pride. You cant argue with people like that.
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December 18th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Pull off the Hyundai badge slap on a Peugeot badge and it looks like peugeots CC which looks like an Audi TT which looks like a……
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December 19th, 2007 at 12:04 am
I wonder how much it will cost when it lands in Aus…I want one!! (V8 prefered, but hey, I don’t think I want to burn that much fuel…)
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December 30th, 2007 at 5:14 am
Here’s the official Genesis info site, complete with commercial footage, catalog shots and driving/interview videos:
http://www.the-genesis.co.kr/
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January 6th, 2008 at 5:19 am
this is freaking awesome! i have always been a fan of hyundai, yes even when their excels came out when i was a wee kid, and this genesis coupe will put hyundai up their with the likes of the japanese! it will surely make the Z engineers more time to rethink their venerable Z lineup. i am so proud of this company! and they are on their way to make a name for themselves and take that stigma of ‘cheap car’ out of everyone’s mouths when they introduce the actual genesis sedan and coupe!
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January 10th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Go Hyundai! give us super affordable performance cars!
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February 6th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I just want to point out that somebody cares about 4cyl rwd turbocharged engines. If you take a look at the after market tunes, 4cyl rwd turbos are the favorite choice because it’s fun and provides cheap performance.
Yes, many are moving to AWD for sports cars due to safety issues and all. But RWD is in the market and will stay in the market because it is more fun to drive. A factory tuned RWD turbo setting is always loved by tuners out there because less parts has to be changed for beefing up HP.
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March 24th, 2008 at 3:24 am
What a deal! A Hyundai with either 4Cyl Turbo, or NA V6’s and V8’s! Fantastic! Regarding the turbo being more responsive, please don’t forget lag. A single turbo engine with moderate boost will always have lag, which is why companies such as Toyota or BMW use Twin Turbo setups in a sequential format to minimize lag. A NA V8 should be more responsive, and please don’t forget that V8’s can be made to rev their asses off. Look at the new BMW M3’s 4lt V8, thats a rev machine! And the Japs will not overlook any Great car, whether its a turbo or not. They aren’t stupid. Regarding Rear drive v AWD, Rear drive is purity for a sports car, AWD adds to much weight anyway. Bring it on! I’ll have a 2 door v8 with rear drive anyday!
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