2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

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What is it?
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

What's special about it?
After going to the effort and expense of developing its own rear-wheel-drive architecture, Hyundai is moving quickly with production applications. Only four months after showing the Genesis coupe concept at the Los Angeles auto show, the company has the production-ready 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe on display at the 2008 New York Auto Show. It goes on sale in the spring of 2008 — less than a year after the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan.

Hyundai would like you to think of the 2010 Genesis Coupe as a legitimate rival for the Infiniti G37. With a 111-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 182 inches, the Genesis is indeed about the same size as the G37. The two coupes also share more than a passing resemblance, though dueling character lines on the Hyundai push it further left of center.

There's enough engine under the hood to justify the comparison, as the all-aluminum 3.8-liter V6 in the Genesis is capable of 310 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 263 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. The Infiniti's 3.7-liter V6 makes 330 hp and 270 lb-ft. The transmission choices look good, too. You can have either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic, and once equipped with the former the Genesis will hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds, says Hyundai.

We hadn't expected Hyundai to offer a smaller engine in the 2010 Genesis Coupe, given the company's plans for a front-drive successor to the current Hyundai Tiburon. Nevertheless, the base-model Genesis has a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline four-cylinder.

With 223 hp at 6,000 rpm and 217 lb-ft of torque at 2,500, this small-displacement turbo engine stacks up favorably against the Volkswagen GTI's 2.0-liter turbo. Hyundai's two-door outweighs the VW by 300 pounds, though, so it's unlikely to be as quick.

Still, the Genesis 2.0t coupe will have the distinction of being the only four-cylinder, rear-drive coupe on the market — a point not lost on Hyundai officials, who suggest the Japanese-spec Nissan 240SX is a key competitor. We'll teeter out onto another limb and argue that the Genesis is just a bit too large and heavy to have a future as a drift car. Transmission choices with the turbocharged 2.0-liter include a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic.

Hyundai chassis tuning typically favors ride quality over handling acuity, so the company will need to turn a corner in this department if the Genesis coupe is to keep up with the sharp-edged G37 — or even the Ford Mustang and Mitsubishi Eclipse. We don't know many details at this point, but the suspension consists of struts in front and an independent five-link design in the back. In addition, a performance-oriented SE model, available with either the turbo four or the V6, promises firmer suspension settings and a front strut tower brace. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires are standard on the Genesis, but the SE upgrades to 19s and 225/40R19 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires. Also note that the SE coupe comes with a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Standard braking hardware consists of 12.6-inch ventilated front and 12.4-inch solid rear discs. Single floating calipers won't impress your friends, though, so you're probably going to want the SE model's Brembo brake package. It upgrades you to four-piston monobloc calipers, along with larger 13.6-inch discs up front and 13.0-inch discs in the rear.

Inside, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe has a straightforward layout, but it's not particularly distinctive. The lateral bolsters on the front seats look pretty serious, though, and there don't appear to be any compromises in major equipment.

In addition to the SE, Hyundai will offer an entry-level four-cylinder GS model and a midgrade GT model with the V6. You'll get both a standard auxiliary audio jack and a USB port to plug in your music on the base GS, along with Bluetooth, powered accessories, stability control, full side-airbag coverage and active front head restraints. The midlevel 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT adds richer interior trim and automatic climate control. Along with its many functional upgrades, the SE has xenon headlights, a rear deck spoiler, aluminum-trimmed pedals and red cloth seats with black leather bolsters. The options list includes keyless start, an Infinity audio system and heated seats.

What's Edmunds' take?
It goes without saying that the V6-equipped 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe SE will need to be priced comfortably close to $30,000 to be a true steal over the G37. However, the driving dynamics have to be spot-on as well. Building a value-packed luxury sedan is one thing. Building a rear-wheel-drive sport coupe is quite another. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor