2007 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept

Hyundai is a Korean car company which is trying very hard to throw off the yoke of an economy-oriented design focus and re-position themselves as a global manufacturer with a full range of products. Essentially, Hyundai feels that they can continue to compete on price without sacrificing quality. Already offering one of the most lengthy, comprehensive warranties in the industry, the automaker has had a lot of success shaking the stigma of poor value that is usually associated with lower pricing. Their most recent effort to capture more upscale market share is the 2007 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept.

The 2007 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept is a completely new direction for Hyundai. V6 powered and rear-wheel drive, the Genesis Coupe is the platform twin of the Genesis sedan, which marked Hyundai getting serious about the luxury market. The Coupe is a long, sculpted beauty of a vehicle, reminiscent of the Infiniti G37 in terms of proportions, but with a much different hood line that suggests the Toyota Scion xA. The concept is fitted with 20-inch wheels and a carbon fiber lip and hood, which contrast strikingly with the bright orange paint job. The rear end of the car is abruptly curved, with a very short overhang behind the rear wheel.

Inside, the car is divided down the middle by a center console, making it a true 2+2. The front dash is gracefully curved into a waterfall V-shape, and stereo and climate controls are accented with aluminum and set into a gently sloping centerpiece that dominates the cockpit. Sport gauges are set deep into the instrument panel, and cruise control and volume buttons for the stereo can be found on the steering wheel.

Hyundai plans to offer two different power plants for the Genesis Coupe Concept. The entry-level vehicle will be sold with a 200 horsepower, 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine. The engine will be turbocharged, leading many to speculate that the tuner crowd will be able to unlock a lot more potential from the motor. The flagship Genesis Coupe gets a 3.8 liter V6 making 300 horsepower, lifted from the Santa Fe SUV and massaged to better fill the sports car role. Either car can be ordered with a 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic transmission. A dual exhaust system helps add to the sport look and sound of the vehicle. For those looking to take the performance of their Genesis Coupe up a notch, Hyundai plans to offer a limited slip differential and a Brembo brake package.

The 2007 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept is likely to be priced around $20 000 for the lower end of the range and close to $30 000 for a fully optioned model. Initially, it had been announced that Hyundai was going to be targeting the Ford Mustang as its primary rival, and that the Genesis Coupe would be available with a 4.6 liter V8 engine. At the last minute it was decided to keep costs low and use the pre-existing V6 engine, which was capable of generating the same kind of power. The manufacturer has yet to address the fate of the current 2 door sports coupe being offered, the Tiburon, except to say that given the popularity of their front-wheel drive models they have decided to market the Tiburon alongside the Genesis for the time being. Once again returning the Ford example, this would seem to be similar to the situation the executives in Dearborn encountered when they tried to replace the rear-wheel drive Mustang with the front-wheel drive Probe in the late 80’s. After an initial uproar from buyers, the two vehicles were sold side by side until the Probe was mercifully put out to pasture. Hopefully, Hyundai will be able to avoid such a fate with the Genesis.






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May 18, 2008, 6:02 am