Hyundai's new Concept Genesis Coupe has been unveiled, as Hyundai plans a production Genesis sedan for January's Detroit auto show and a production coupe for April's New York auto show.
The new 2+2 coupe won't be a replacement for the existing front-drive Tiburon coupe, though, Hyundai's VP for product John Krafcik told Los Angeles audiences. Hyundai's front-drive coupe has too loyal a following to abandon, so Hyundai will eventually offer both front- and rear-drive sports coupes as it adds a performance spin to its lineup.
Dressed in Sonic Orange, with a carbon-fiber hood, the Coupe concept rides on an adaptation of the Genesis rear-drive architecture. A fairly conventional front three-quarters view turns interesting at the C-pillar, where the rear quarter windows are cut lower in a keyhole shape. Hyundai designer Joel Piakowski credits influences from Le Mans race cars to die-cast vehicles - and says the concept's look is an exaggerated version of the production vehicle, a look that might show up on modified or tuned versions of the new two-door.
Hyundai is aiming the Coupe at a gap in the market, between the Infiniti G37 and Mitsubishi Eclipse - the high $20,000 range. And while Ford's Mustang would seem to be a natural competitor, Hyundai's Krafcik confirms that the production Coupe won't be getting a V-8 engine. Instead, a turbocharged four will be the base powerplant; an optional 3.8-liter V-6 will churn out more than 300 hp. Both engines will be offered with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Hyundai estimates a 0-60 mph time of less than six seconds for the six-cylinder version with a manual transmission.
The production version of the Genesis Coupe goes on sale in the spring of 2009.
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