- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
New Models
DRIVEN: Hyundai Dials In Genesis Coupe
More power and improved styling inside and outside raise the sports coupe to a higher level, though there still are some bumps in the road.
Hyundai made improvements to the Genesis Coupe for 2013, including boosts in handling and power. (Photo: Hyundai)
Hyundai has updated its enjoyable Genesis Coupe for 2013 with sharper styling, improved interior and more power, bringing the sporty machine further into focus.
Genesis Coupe, which basically took the place of the Tiburon in 2009 and has nothing at all to do with the Genesis sedan, also surprises with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the kind of sophisticated setup usually reserved for more-expensive cars.
But isn’t that Hyundai’s advantage, offering drivers more for less? The rear-wheel-drive Coupe continues that trend, competing with confidence against V6 versions of Mustang and Camaro, and the Nissan 370Z. New rivals that are getting a lot of attention are the near-twins Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, sophisticated rear-wheel-drive coupes that have stepped up the game with their sports-car handling.
Midsize sporty cars with just two doors have become a niche group, but Hyundai moves ahead with its entry geared toward driving enthusiasts and compact tuners.
I drove the fully loaded Coupe in the upper-end Grand Touring edition with a 348-horsepower V6 and automatic, which costs a relatively modest $32,000, plus shipping. The well-equipped base model with a 274-horsepower turbo four and six-speed manual is just $24,250. Even the top-dog Track version equipped for club days on the circuit tops out at $34,250, with just a bit more for the R-Spec treatment.
That’s a lot of head-turning sports coupe for the money, backed by the best warranty program in the business. And the power gain is significant, up 64 horsepower for the turbo four, and an increase of 42 for the V6.
A major improvement for 2013 is the Coupe’s handling, which feels better composed and more responsive than the previous version. The steering feels more precise, but still numb to driver feedback. The four-wheel Brembo disc brakes are highly effective.
The 3.8 is strong and willing, though somewhat noisy even under moderate throttle, and setting up a sonorous racket under hard acceleration. It has plenty of power, but what a roar.
The V6 is designed to run on premium fuel, but according to the spec sheet, there’s just a minor performance penalty if you cheap out and buy regular instead.
The eight-speed transmission helps the Genesis Coupe gain fuel mileage, and it works fairly smoothly. It does feel like it’s shifting constantly, all the more noticeable because of the engine noise. A six-speed stickshift is still available.
Mileage is 18 city and 28 highway for the V6 with automatic, about on par with the competition. With the 2-liter turbo four and stickshift, mileage moves up to 21 city and 30 highway.
Genesis Coupe, which basically took the place of the Tiburon in 2009 and has nothing at all to do with the Genesis sedan, also surprises with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the kind of sophisticated setup usually reserved for more-expensive cars.
But isn’t that Hyundai’s advantage, offering drivers more for less? The rear-wheel-drive Coupe continues that trend, competing with confidence against V6 versions of Mustang and Camaro, and the Nissan 370Z. New rivals that are getting a lot of attention are the near-twins Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, sophisticated rear-wheel-drive coupes that have stepped up the game with their sports-car handling.
Midsize sporty cars with just two doors have become a niche group, but Hyundai moves ahead with its entry geared toward driving enthusiasts and compact tuners.
I drove the fully loaded Coupe in the upper-end Grand Touring edition with a 348-horsepower V6 and automatic, which costs a relatively modest $32,000, plus shipping. The well-equipped base model with a 274-horsepower turbo four and six-speed manual is just $24,250. Even the top-dog Track version equipped for club days on the circuit tops out at $34,250, with just a bit more for the R-Spec treatment.
That’s a lot of head-turning sports coupe for the money, backed by the best warranty program in the business. And the power gain is significant, up 64 horsepower for the turbo four, and an increase of 42 for the V6.
A major improvement for 2013 is the Coupe’s handling, which feels better composed and more responsive than the previous version. The steering feels more precise, but still numb to driver feedback. The four-wheel Brembo disc brakes are highly effective.
The 3.8 is strong and willing, though somewhat noisy even under moderate throttle, and setting up a sonorous racket under hard acceleration. It has plenty of power, but what a roar.
The V6 is designed to run on premium fuel, but according to the spec sheet, there’s just a minor performance penalty if you cheap out and buy regular instead.
The eight-speed transmission helps the Genesis Coupe gain fuel mileage, and it works fairly smoothly. It does feel like it’s shifting constantly, all the more noticeable because of the engine noise. A six-speed stickshift is still available.
Mileage is 18 city and 28 highway for the V6 with automatic, about on par with the competition. With the 2-liter turbo four and stickshift, mileage moves up to 21 city and 30 highway.
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTOMOTIVE
-
AUTOS: Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta
The Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, which scored the first Le Mans… -
AUTOS: Score One For Cadillac
Cadillac has truly knocked it out of the ballpark with the stunning… -
AUTOS: Mustang Movie Site Logs Ponycars In Film
More than 3,000 films, TV shows catalogued... -
SPEED Joins GarageMonkey, The New Social Destination For Gearheads…
SPEED is now on GarageMonkey, a social network for auto, moto and… -
F1: Villeneuve's Ferrari 312 T3 Remembered
The Ferrari 312 T3 was used by Gilles Villeneuve to win the Canadian… -
AUTOS: 2014 Chevy SS Priced At $44,470
GM's full-size not just for police... -
AUTOS: Porsche Reveals 911 50th Anniversary Edition
Museum exhibit joins limited-edition model... - More News
