Today's "internet-broken embargo" brings you pictures of Hyundai's new Genesis coupe. Genesis is also the name of Hyundai's new big RWD luxury sedan. While the coupe shares its name, it shares none of the sedan's handsome sheetmetal. I think it's scary, early 1990s ugly. The coupe will get a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a V6 (probably with ~300 horsepower); making it sound like it could be either a Mustang/Camaro competitor in the mid $20ks. Or it could attempt to do to the Infiniti G37 coupe what the Infiniti G37 coupe does to the BMW 335i. More for less. To make matters worse, the pictures come courtesy of forums at "New Tiburon," even though previous rumors were that the RWD Genesis coupe would be a separate model from an upcoming all-new FWD Tiburon. So, which is it? Affordable muscle car competing with the Mustang? Luxury sports coupe going head to head with BMW and Infiniti? A new Tiburon? And willthe coupe ever offer Hyundai's new 380 horsepower V8? Only time will tell. And by time, I mean four days, which is when this car is properly unveiled at the NY Auto Show.
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Not everything in the early ’90s was bad design, y’know. The Porsche Boxster for example. I think this looks rather intriguing (no GM pun intended)and as many of the Hyundai products of late have shown, they are not to be trifled with. Could be a real showstopper – I wonder if it will come in a convertible. Hmmm.
I beg to disagree.
I think that the new Camaro should have taken this design direction, rather than the current trend of 70’s throwback vehicles.
I’m willing to bet that the highway mileage with the turbo 4 is pretty damned good for a RWD car (though the Corvette is probably the car to beat here).
My guess is that my mountain bike won’t fit in the back (as it does in my ’97 Camaro), otherwise, I might save my pennies…
I (for one) welcome our new Korean Automotive Overlords, yet still hope for GM/Ford/etc to get their act together.
Looks like a good effort to me, but then I loved the looks of my Sonata and now my Azera. It may not be perfect, but with the probable price and reliability it should be a winner. Another nail in the coffin of the domestics.
Hmmmmmmm, so the Celica GTS had a bit of a dalliance with a first gen Lexus IS300?
An intriguing vehicle with potential, but too bad about the styling. Maybe it will get cleaned up mid-cycle. Might this vehicle be a 1-series competitor?
The Genesis coupe looks like a Tiburon, minus the huge side gills. But a Genesis/Tiburon with the V8 would not be a Mustang competitor, it’d be a Mustang beater. It’s slowly getting to point where people aren’t cross-shopping Hyundais with Chevys, but with BMWs and Mercedes. Which is quite an accomplishment. Hopefully Hyundai won’t let itself turn into GM.
I’m still not a fan of the rear side windows, but I like it overall. I’m curious to see what the price is like too – if it’s priced low Ford and Chevy have a problem on their hands (as if they didn’t already).
Hey, people bought the Camry Solara. They’ll buy this.
I like. I kind of looks like as if Lexus built an IS coupé, from the front end at least. Derivative, but gels nicely.
I’m sure many of the derogatory comments to come wouldn’t initiate if there were anything but a Hyundai badge on the grille.
The four cylinder turbo will be the darling of the tuners of course, with increased boost software and uprated turbos + software producing permagrin powah.
Looks okay to me. I like the proportions and stance. The rear side window, not so much, but I’ve seen much worse.
Two unknown variables will drive sales of this car:
1. Price
2. Reviews
I like it. RWD, manual transmission, fantastic warrenty, sounds good to me!
My very short 2-year-old would probably like the low back windows, too.
That Delage-esque rear window (from the D8/120 coupe) is nuts. I liked it on the French masterpiece, but I don’t see the Genesis pulling it off in the flesh. But I bet it helps with visibility!
Looks decent to me, though I have to agree with the previous comments on those rear side windows, yuck.
This thing really looks like an evolution of the Tiburon. I have to say I like it. I’m not in the market for that sort of car but I look at it and it makes me happy to see how far the Hyundai has come since the ’86 Excel.
They’re really decent cars that deserve consideration.
I don’t love it, but I like it more than the 350Z and G37 Coupe or the misbegotten 6-series BMW. It does certainly look like an evolution of the Tiburon, though.
JB,
I am with you on the early nineties designs being challenged, but I am not reminded of that by this car.
BTW, if you want a good deal on a home, find one built in the early nineties that is in a fashionable neighborhood but has not yet been renovated. (Isn’t it sad they have to renovate such new homes?) If you can cheaply restyle it, you got a winner.
I reserved mine today: silver with the 4 speed auto, optional drum rear brakes and plastic hubcaps on 15′ steel wheels with 185/85R15 all seasons and cassete/CD player! Comes with six big-gulp cupholders and the salesperson said it can be hooked up to my iPod!
Hey, if those rear windows actually improve rearward visibilty for both driver and rear seat passangers they are alright by me. All you need to do is put children in the back seat of a G35 coupe to understand. Small children fit just fine but complain because they can not see out of the car.
That thing looks more face-lifted than Joan Rivers.
I can dig it. I would cross shop this more with a 350z/G37 than with a Mustang or Camaro.
Looks like Hyundai beat Nissan to making a Silvia.
The front end looks like people sat on the hood of a Sonata three across and dented it in. It doesn’t work at all. The rest of it looks more successful. Though, how much more is up for debate…
I have only two questions:
1. What is the curb weight?
2. What is the suspension setup?
If hyundai made the 2009 AE86/240sx with a turbo, the thing will sell like hotcakes. If it is a heavy big hp car that competes with the Mustang, it will still do alright. However, there is plenty of heavy/can’t handle rwd drag fun. Where are the can handle rwd cars (short of the Mazdas)?