?2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: A serious performer?
Freshened with more aggressive look and performance capability
Hyundai?s Genesis Coupe first appeared on the scene as a concept vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2007, and the transformation from concept to production vehicle kept the signature design virtually intact. The Genesis sedan bowed in 2008. The Genesis Coupe displays an aggressive overall stance with powerful curves and a unique ?Z?-shaped undulating beltline. The roofline arches gracefully, with a tapered greenhouse that tends to highlight the car?s broad shoulders and wide track. Rocker panels draw the car closer to the ground, and the wheels reach well up into the pronounced fenders.
The front fascia showcases large openings for better engine breathing, while the rear fascia continues the sporty aura with the deck-lid spoiler, integrated dual exhaust tips and surrounding blackout repeating the front graphic theme. The car rides on 18-inch wheels and tires as standard fare, with 19-inchers optionally available. The overall image is more sinister and aggressive to go along with the raucous and pleasing exhaust note emanating from the dual asymmetrical exhaust tips that are integrated into the blacked out rear diffuser.
Enter the 2013 model Genesis Coupe that will be available in four trim levels: the 2.0T; a base 3.8; an R-Spec model; and a Track version. Power for the 2.0T is derived from a 2.0-liter twin-scroll? turbocharged, intercooled inline four-cylinder that cranks out 260 horsepower along with 275 pound feet of torque on premium fuel (14 less horsepower and 15 pound feet of torque less on regular fuel. The balance of the Genesis Coupe stable gets down the road or around the track courtesy of a 3.8-liter Lambda GDI V6 with Dual CVVT that generates 348 horses and 295 pound feet of torque at 6,400 rpm on premium petrol, with 4 fewer horses and 3 less pound feet of torque at 5,300 rpm.
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The 2.0T 2013 Genesis Coupe directs its power to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an in-house developed, 8-speed automatic with lockup torque converter & paddle shift SHIFTRONIC?, while the 3.8-liter-powered model Coupes utilize the 8-speed automatic transmission exclusively.
Highlights for the 2013 model year Genesis Coupes include:? a new front fascia, grille, headlight and fog lamp treatments and hood design. Newly styled 18-inch (standard) and 19-inch alloy wheels; a new LED-enhanced taillight design; and available LED daytime running lights; more power as already stated, along with improved fuel economy for both transmissions. There are also retuned low-velocity-control suspension dampers; an electroluminescent gauge cluster with information display; and a telescopic feature added to the tilt steering wheel. The driver gets a power lumbar adjustment, and the center stack receives new styling and gauge treatment. Blue Link? telematics are available on 3.8 Grand Touring/Track and 2.0T Premium models.
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The 3.8-liter versions of Genesis Coupe takes driving to an even higher level, rivaling the capability of other premium-performance coupes in the marketplace, and while all Genesis Coupe models provide a true rear-drive, sporty experience behind the wheel, the high-performance R-Spec and Track versions raise the bar even higher, with differentiated, track-tuned suspension calibrations.
Interior styling been improved with distinctive, upscale appointments to enhance one?s driving experience. Analog gauges include a large speedometer and tachometer positioned directly ahead of the driver for easy reference, and the entire instrument cluster is illuminated by Hyundai?s signature ?Blue Glow?.
Reining in all the newfound power are Brembo four-piston calipers on 13.4-inch vented front discs and 13-inch vented discs for Track models.
The Genesis Coupe comes loaded with segment-leading safety technologies ? things like ABS, EBD, ESC and more, as well as features designed to deliver high levels of comfort and convenience.
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My test 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe was a 3.8 track model, powered by the 3.8-liter V-6 with the 8-speed automatic transmission. The exterior was sprayed with a Tsukuba Red metallic finish, while the interior was executed in Black and Grey tones with Satin Silver. The base sticker read $34,250 while the as tested price came to $35,125 after adding the Destination charges.
SUMMARY: The design of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe s represents a genuine work of automotive art with an element of emotional appeal. It is unquestionably both racy and sporty, with sexy as the most appropriate operative description. It not only looks incredibly quick, it is, as well as extremely agile.
Acceleration comes with rapid-fire response, and the gear changes through the new 8-speed automatic transmission are smooth, positive and quicker than would be humanly possible to execute.
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The ride quality provided by the R-Spec Genesis Coupe is leans to the firm side of the chart, which is to be expected, considering the outstanding stability demonstrated in both road and track scenarios.
The new Genesis Coupe will no doubt set another new benchmark for sport coupes in its price range ? as in affordable fun? The R-Spec ranks just a cut above the Track model in terms of overall appeal despite the fact that their mechanicals are virtually identical. The 2012 Genesis Coupe was featured in the hit TV series ?Burn Notice, attesting to its popularity.
I was able to pilot most models of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe over a 1.5 mile road course and a tight (and wet) challenging autocross course at Spring Mountain Motor Park and Resort ? a private membership facility outside Las Vegas, NV. And the experience was both fun and rewarding, aptly displaying the car?s performance capabilities.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track-?13
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Base Price:????????? ???????????????? $34,250.
Price as Tested: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? $35,125.
Engine Type and Size: ? ? ? ?3.8-liter Lambda GDI V6 with Dual CVVT.
Horsepower (bhp): ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 348/344 premium/regular @ 6,400 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?295/292 premium/regular @ 5,300 rpm
Transmission:??????????? ??????????? 8-speed automatic with lockup torque converter & ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? paddle shift SHIFTRONIC?.
Drive Train:??????????? Longitudinally mounted front engine / Rear-wheel drive.
Suspension:?????????Front – MacPherson strut dual link with Track-tuned ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? springs, gas-charged shock absorbers and 24 mm ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? stabilizer bar (R-Spec/Track).
?? ? ?Rear – Five-link independent design with Track-tuned ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? springs, monotube gas-charged shock absorbers and ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? 20 mm stabilizer bar (R-Spec/Track).
Brakes: Power-assisted Brembo? four-wheel discs with 4-??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? piston calipers, 4-channel ABS with EBD.
Tires: ?Bridgestone Potenza REO50A 245/40 YR19 (R-??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? Spec/Track).
Wheelbase: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 111.0??????????? inches
Length Overall:??????????? ??????????? 182.3??????????? inches
Width: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 73.4??????????? inches
Height: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?54.5??????????? inches
Curb Weight: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 3,613??????????? lbs.
Fuel Capacity: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 17.2??????????? gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates:??????????? 18??????????? mpg city / 28??????????? mpg highway
Drag Coefficient:??????????? ??????????? 0.32
0 – 60 mph:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? 5.5??????????? seconds? – Top speed=149 mph
