Submitted 8/31/2009

Hyundai has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past few years, and to prove that quality and driving experience has improved as well, they’ve invited the public to test drive their new Genesis Coupe this summer on autocross courses in various US cities. The Genesis coupe is the successor to the Tiburon, although they don’t market it as such, and is a marked improvement. We went down to the event at Phoenix International Raceway to see what it was all about.

To showcase its new rear-wheel drive sports coupe, Hyundai set up what they call “The Adrenaline Tour, Exclusive Driving Event.” Anyone interested was invited to register to drive the new coupe on a Hyundai designed autocross course. While the course was a little short, they did allow you to take two turns around the track with your choice of Genesis, and we snuck in a few extra laps. Hyundai brought a pair of 3.8 liter V6 manual transmission coupes, two 2.0T turbo four-cylinder manual editions, and an automatic version of each variant. Drivers simply hopped into the car of their choice with a Hyundai rep riding along as co-pilot. We felt the reps did a good job of walking drivers through the course, giving technical pointers on when to brake and how hard to accelerate after the apex. Some even went as far as coaching you through a rear-wheel drive powerslide.

Unlike the Tiburon, the 2010 Genesis Coupe is rear-wheel drive, a prerequisite for true sports cars. The naturally aspirated V6 pushes out 306 hp at 6300 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm using regular fuel, a definite plus. Acceleration with the six-speed manual is brisk, reaching 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. While the engine’s power output proves Hyundai has made great improvements, the sound of the engine at high rpms is a still little coarse compared to other brands. The other choice at the driving event was the 2.0T 4-cylinder turbo. The less costly 2.0T will most likely be the tuner’s choice, as the engine is the same Global Engineering Manufacturing Alliance powerplant as is found in the 291 horsepower 2.0 liter turbo Lancer Evolution and the 2.4 liter turbo in the Dodge Caliber SRT-4. Hyundai keeps both the engine costs and horsepower down in their version by tuning it to 210 horsepower and 223 lb-ft of torque. Genesis turbo buyers undoubtedly know that there is already a vast array of power upgrades in the after-market, making the rear-drive 2.0T a great starting point for an autocross car.

At 3450 pounds, the Genesis coupe isn’t light, but turn-in and steering feel were surprisingly precise. The V6 variants were fitted with the track package which includes firmer springs and shocks, which significantly reduced body roll on the autocross course. The coupe is also a little front-heavy, with 55% of the heft above the front wheels, which caused mild understeer when coming into corners too hot. On the other hand, the 3.8 V6 had plenty enough torque to move the back-end sideways in the corners, and a skilled driver will have no problem modulating this wheel spin to get around corners in a hurry.

The Genesis coupe can’t quite match the 370Z in acceleration, handling, or braking, but it comes close enough considering its bargain price. After all, Hyundai has always been about keeping costs down, but this time you get great performance as well. The 2.0T starts at $22,000 while the 3.8 liter V6 begins at just $25,000. Kudos to Hyundai for engaging the public in their marketing plans. If only Hyundai could now get rid of that corporate front grill…

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