Track Tested: 2010 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8

Hyundai says it wasn't out to build a better Mustang when it was designing the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Maybe so, but it's hard to ignore the similarities between the new Korean coupe and the latest Ford Mustang GT.

They have just over 300 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and similar price tags. They also have surprisingly comfortable interiors with four seats and all the latest technology.

Of course, these cars are designed for performance above all else and they both deliver, although in slightly different ways. See how the numbers stack up and what our test driver thought as he put them through their paces in our latest track test shoot-out.

	Ford Mustang GT	Hyundai Genesis Coupe V6
0 - 30 (sec):	2.1	2.2
0 - 45 (sec):	3.4	3.9
0 - 60 (sec):	5.2	5.9
0 - 75 (sec):	7.6	8.4
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph):	13.5 @ 102.9	14.1 @ 99.3
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec):	4.9	5.7
30 - 0 (ft):	27.0	27
60 - 0 (ft):	107.0	111
Braking Rating:	Very Good	Good
Slalom (mph):	68.4	69
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g):	0.91	0.87
Handling Rating:	Good	Very Good

Vehicle: 2010 Ford Mustang
Odometer: N/A
Date: 03/03/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $35,625

Specifications:
Drive Type: rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 5-speed manual
Engine Type: V8
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 4,606 (281 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,250
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 315 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 325 @ 4,250
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Rack and pinion with hydraulic power assist
Suspension Type (front): Independent MacPherson struts, coil spring and stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear):  Solid axle, coil springs, trailing links, panhard rod, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 255/40R19
Tire Size (rear): 255/40R19
Tire Brand: Pirelli
Tire Model: P Zero
Tire Type: Summer Performance
Wheel Size: 19-by-8 inches front -- 19-by-8 inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,752

Acceleration Comments:  Easy to launch.... Best technique is to get the clutch out quickly at relatively low rpm and then use the torque to pull through the rest of 1st gear without wheelspin. I drop the clutch from below 3K rpm and transition immediately to WOT. Good shifter -- direct without being too high effort. And thanks to the intake honkus, I like the engine noise. This feels and sounds like a pony car. If nothing else, Ford has that nailed.

Braking Comments:  More dive than I would like, but at 107 feet it's hard to complain with the results. No increase in the softness of the pedal despite increasing distances.  

Handling Comments: Overall, the Mustang is predictable and easy to throw around. Fun, even. Its limits are higher than before but it's difficult to take it seriously as a handling machine when compared to something like the Z. Still, around the pad, it's totally mild mannered and controllable -- even a knuckle dragger could powerslide this thing until it had no rear tires. Through the slalom its instant turn-in takes some adjustment but it transitions well for a live-axle car and remains impressively composed. Overall, an improvement from the last car.

Vehicle: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
Odometer: 3,564
Date: 03/10/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $30,375

Specifications:
Drive Type: rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed Manual
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3,778cc (231cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 306 @ 6,300
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 266 @ 4,700
Brake Type (front): 13.4-inch ventilated disc, 4-piston caliper
Brake Type (rear): 13.0-inch ventilated disc, 4-piston caliper
Steering System: Engine-speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
Suspension Type (front): Independent, MacPherson strut, coil springs and stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent, multi-link, coil springs and stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 225/40R19 89Y
Tire Size (rear): 245/40R19 94Y
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE050A
Tire Type: Summer performance
Wheel Size: 19 X 8 front - 19 X 8.5 rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Aluminum alloy
Manufacturer Curb Weight (lb): 3,389

Acceleration Comments: No drivetrain protection interruption, despite hard shifts at redline. Feels sharper in the next gear, too (no torque reduction?). Best launch with aggressive wheelspin from about 4,000 rpm.

Braking Comments: Pedal is not as sharp or responsive as I'd like. The car makes consistent stops though. Note: ABS died when slowing during acceleration test and allowed tire lock-up. No dash indicator light to warn the driver. The problem was not consistent.

Handling Comments: Slalom: Very good communication despite lighter steering than its competition. It's responsive and confidence-inspiring through fast transitions. Skid pad: It requires more coaxing to get the rear out than I remember in the last test. But overall, it's still very good.