Hyundai Invites Aftermarket Tuners To Measure 2010 Genesis Coupe

[prolifik]

Hyundai Invites Aftermarket Tuners To Measure 2010 Genesis Coupe


FOUNTAIN VALLEY, California — Hyundai took a major step toward reinventing itself as a legitimate performance-car manufacturer by inviting 20 aftermarket companies to measure the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe today at its North American headquarters in Fountain Valley, California.

Hyundai Motor America officials called this the official SEMA measuring session for the company's rear-drive coupe, which is based on the shortened version of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan platform.

"Normally, we've done this closer to the start of production," Wayne Killen, director of strategic product planning for Hyundai Motor America, told us. "But we really wanted the aftermarket companies to get a start on it."

The aftermarket companies ran the gamut, ranging from Wet Okole Hawaii, which makes waterproof seat covers, to Garrett-Honeywell and HKS.

You'll recall from the 2008 New York Auto Show that Hyundai will be offering both a 310-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 and a 223-hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder in the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Not surprisingly, the 2.0-liter turbo got most of the attention from the tuners, and since the engine itself is a direct relation of the 2.0-liter in the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Evolution X, most weren't seeing it for the first time.

"I'm more excited about this than I am about that one," said John Espino of Gale Banks Engineering, while standing next to the turbo coupe. "If you look under the hood, there's more room to do stuff." However, he noted that his company is working on a supercharger for the V6 Genesis coupe, in addition to planned upgrades for the turbocharger and intercooler on the four-cylinder model.

"There's an engine mount underneath the turbocharger so that kind of limits how big you can go," Garrett's Brian Regnier told us. "But there's always a way around that." He said the main contingency for Garrett in developing turbo upgrades for the Genesis coupe is public reaction to Hyundai's first rear-wheel-drive coupe. "We'll wait to see what the reception for this vehicle is at track days," he noted.

Hyundai officials also confirmed today that the company will offer Track versions of both the four-cylinder turbo and the V6 coupe. "They'll be a low percentage of the mix," Joyce admitted, "but they will be uncompromised in their performance."

In addition to retuned suspension compared to the standard versions of the coupe, the Genesis Track models will pick up a front strut tower brace and a full set of Brembo brakes, including four-piston monobloc calipers up front.

Regardless of the engine underhood, Track models will come with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer tires, sized 225/40R19 up front and 245/40R19 in back. Non-Track Genesis coupes get 225/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE092As in front and 245/45s in back.

Hyundai also revealed some basic stats on the likely customer base today. The four-cylinder turbo coupe is predicted to draw an even mix of men and women, while the company anticipates an older, more affluent and 70 percent male crowd to embrace the V6 coupe. The highest-volume exterior color is expected to be Gray Titanium at 18 percent.

Known internally as "BK," the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe will go into production in December 2008 at Hyundai's Alsan, Korea, plant. Look for the cars to arrive at dealerships in early February 2009.

What this means to you: Hyundai hopes the 2010 Genesis Coupe will pick up where the Nissan 240SX left off, and is doing everything it can to ensure full aftermarket support when the coupe goes on sale. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor


Hyundai Invites Aftermarket Tuners To Measure 2010 Genesis Coupe

[FlesHBoX]

This be excellent news. YAR!

[Pheoix]

track version sounds sweet i wonder if i can get a stripped out track version ... who needs airbags anyway ^^

[EdSch]

I wish you could get something without airbags. I am glad the sunroof is an option too. I would rather do without it being so tall. It takes away from headroom. I think the tuners should start working on a new intake manifold, exhaust and big turbo. Also from the look of the 4 cyl pictures, the valve cover looks to be cheap plastic.

[FlesHBoX]

Originally Posted by EdSch

I wish you could get something without airbags. I am glad the sunroof is an option too. I would rather do without it being so tall. It takes away from headroom. I think the tuners should start working on a new intake manifold, exhaust and big turbo. Also from the look of the 4 cyl pictures, the valve cover looks to be cheap plastic.

As far as the cheap plastic... remember that this is a pre-production model, and we are several months away from production. It very well may be cheap plastic, but it may be cheap plastic because they have not settled on a final design to be cast. Why proto an expensive cast or machine (or both) part, when you can just print it, paint it and see how you like it.

[EdSch]

I agree that there is no sense in casting an expensive valve cover. I was merely saying that the tuners should take a good look at the car right now and figure out what the consumer wants to buy. Hyundai seems very receptive of making the tuner crowds happy. I hope these companies planning on making parts for these cars don't wait 5 years like they did for the intake manifold on my old mustang. (Btw it still isn't out)

[07tibse]

my god this is the coolest thing! as if the genesis coupe couldn't get any cooler!!! im gonna step out on a limb here but, i think the track versions are prob the SE editions from what they stated will come with them. i can't wait to see what this looks like in white with the SE package!

[majikTib]

Here's another similar article, about the same event:
Tuners take a look at Genesis coupe, Hyundai provides details on track version - Autoblog

Even before the Hyundai Genesis coupe made its big reveal in New York, its aftermarket potential was apparent. While the 3.8-liter V6-equipped model will undoubtedly find an audience with the hairdresser set, the 223 hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter model – directly related to the inline four found in the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Evolution X – is where it's at. Hyundai realizes if it's to be taken seriously as a true performance player, the Genesis coupe has to be embraced by the aftermarket. So it invited 20 tuners to its North American headquarters in Fountain Valley, California to take a look under the hood.
While production hasn't officially begun, Hyundai wanted aftermarket firms to get a head start on development. Among the companies represented at the "measuring" session were HKS, Garrett-Honeywell and Gale Banks Engineering. John Espino, an engineer for Gale Banks, said "I'm more excited about this [the 2.0-liter turbo] than I am about that one [the V6]." However, in addition to turbocharger and intercooler upgrades for the boosted 2.0-liter, Gale Banks plans to develop a supercharger for the V6.

Garrett's Brian Regnier pointed out to Inside Line that the turbocharger on the 2.0-liter model is positioned above the engine mount, limiting the size of upgraded turbos. "But there's always a way around that."

But Hyundai isn't leaving everything up to the aftermarket. As reported previously, the automaker plans to release a lightweight, track version of the Genesis coupe, which will include a retuned suspension, front strut tower bar and four-piston front Brembo brakes. The standard Genesis coupe will be fitted with Bridgestone RE92As, sized 225/45R18 in front and 245/45R18 in the rear, but the track model will benefit from stickier Potenza RE050As, wrapping 19-inch wheels.

The only thing left to prove now is how it drives on the road and on the track, and we're eagerly anticipating our change to get behind the wheel later this year.

[majikTib]

it excites me to see Hyundai reaching out and trying hard to make the Genesis aftermarket friendly. I hope they become like Scion (only focused on performance rather than styling) with the aftermarket encouragement.

The economy already seems to be turning positive, and I'm hoping by 2009-2010 it'll be boosting once again, and the Genesis will thrive - being powerful and attractive at under $30,000. I really hope they put quality parts into this thing, so that Toyota and Honda owners will be impressed with the power it can handle.

Just because it's a Hyundai, it'll be a target for everyone to find something wrong with it, whether a weak 3rd gear or an uncomfortable shifter. If Hyundai wants to use this car to set their standard and revitalize their image, they'd better make this car damn near perfect, even if it hurts their profits. This could easily be the pivot to turn them around for the long haul.

[07tibse]

i really have faith in the gen. coupe. i think it will change most peoples idea of hyundai. there will always be haters(as with every brand), but hyundai will get the respect it deserves. i give it 10 years and they'll be on top.