Hyundai Evaluating the Creation of a Separate Genesis Brand to Compete with Lexus, May Build a BMW 3-Series Rival

If you were wondering what's next on the Hyundai and Kia Group's agenda of world domination, the answer is the addition of a third brand to the firm's portfolio to compete head on with Japan's Lexus and Infiniti, and possibly even Germany's finest, including BMW and Audi.

The luxury arm would most likely be called Genesis and include the South Korean firm's current rear-wheel drive offerings such as the Genesis Sedan and Coupe, plus the soon-to-be-launched onto the American market, Lexus LS-rivaling Equus.

The automaker, which saw its U.S. market share increase by an overly impressive 50 per cent in the past two years, would further enhance the range of the Genesis brand with a compact sports saloon in the likes of BMW's best-selling model, the 3-Series, and a crossover utility vehicle to compete with the Lexus RX 350.

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Hyundai Evaluating the Creation of a Separate Genesis Brand to Compete with Lexus, May Build a BMW 3-Series Rival

If you were wondering what's next on the Hyundai and Kia Group's agenda of world domination, the answer is the addition of a third brand to the firm's portfolio to compete head on with Japan's Lexus and Infiniti, and possibly even Germany's finest, including BMW and Audi.

The luxury arm would most likely be called Genesis and include the South Korean firm's current rear-wheel drive offerings such as the Genesis Sedan and Coupe, plus the soon-to-be-launched onto the American market, Lexus LS-rivaling Equus.

The automaker, which saw its U.S. market share increase by an overly impressive 50 per cent in the past two years, would further enhance the range of the Genesis brand with a compact sports saloon in the likes of BMW's best-selling model, the 3-Series, and a crossover utility vehicle to compete with the Lexus RX 350.

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ARK Performance and Hyundai Tune Up Genesis Coupe for 2010 SEMA Show

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is no stranger to the SEMA Show; tuned versions of the South Korean carmaker's two-door sports were present at both the 2008 and 2009 Shows. Now, Hyundai has teamed up with ARK Performance Inc. to produce the ARK Track Time Attack Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 show car that will make its debut at the Las Vegas 2010 SEMA Show in the beginning of November.

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Rhys Millen Wants to Climb Pikes Peak in Under 10 Minutes...With This

Rhys Millen will be tackling Pike's Peak in the unbelievably-modified RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580, set to run in the Unlimited Class. According to Hyundai's press release, that mean "anything goes". No rules, no restrictions; just build it however you want to and climb the mountain as quickly as possible.

Millen has created "a modern Le Mans style car", trying to keep the carbon fiber-bodied car's weight around 1,850 pounds. Power will come from a turbo'd Hyundai Lambda V6 that's been stroked to 4.1 liters, routed through a Weismann semi-automatic AWD transmission, and spun through a multi-Quaife differential setup to the 17-inch HRE wheels.

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Hyundai Moves Up in the World with Times Square Billboard

Continuing its high-profile advertising initiatives this year which included the launch of its new Genesis Coupe during the Super Bowl coverage, Hyundai has moved into Times Square in Manhattan, New York with a new outdoor campaign. The cube shaped billboard has three display faces, the front of which has LED screens showing a continuously updated stream of Hyundai video content while the two other sides get vinyl banners.

"As one of the world's largest brands, Hyundai is actively looking for ways to integrate with the world's biggest advertising venues, such as the Super Bowl, Academy Awards and World Cup," said Chris Perry, director of Marketing Communications, Hyundai Motor America. "Times Square billboards draw 1.5 million impressions daily and it is one of the most iconic locations for outdoor advertising, so it aligns perfectly with our overall brand strategy."

The first of a series of ads to be placed on the Times Square billboard features the South Korean firm's new Genesis Coupe.

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Hyundai Moves Up in the World with Times Square Billboard

Continuing its high-profile advertising initiatives this year which included the launch of its new Genesis Coupe during the Super Bowl coverage, Hyundai has moved into Times Square in Manhattan, New York with a new outdoor campaign. The cube shaped billboard has three display faces, the front of which has LED screens showing a continuously updated stream of Hyundai video content while the two other sides get vinyl banners.

"As one of the world's largest brands, Hyundai is actively looking for ways to integrate with the world's biggest advertising venues, such as the Super Bowl, Academy Awards and World Cup," said Chris Perry, director of Marketing Communications, Hyundai Motor America. "Times Square billboards draw 1.5 million impressions daily and it is one of the most iconic locations for outdoor advertising, so it aligns perfectly with our overall brand strategy."

The first of a series of ads to be placed on the Times Square billboard features the South Korean firm's new Genesis Coupe.

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SEMA 2009: Hyundai Genesis Coupe gets 911 GT3 RS Paintjob

Among the various Hyundai Genesis Coupe proposals showcased at SEMA is this funky example that was co-developed by RIDES and Lux Design. The Korean coupe was sprayed with a coat of Porsche 911 GT3 RS orange paint while the roof was refinished in matte black. It also features a custom body kit from Sarona Design that includes a new front fascia, rear bumper, grille, sideskirts and vented fenders, complemented by a set of 20-inch matte black alloy wheels from Vossen.

The coupe's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was also upgraded with a Turbonetics GT-K 350 ceramic ball bearing turbo and Spearco front-mount intercooler while other performance mods include a full GReddy Racing Ti-C turbo-back exhaust, StopTech brakes and a new coilover kit that lowers the car's ride height.

1:27 PM | 0 comments | Read More

SEMA 2009: Hyundai Genesis Coupe gets 911 GT3 RS Paintjob

Among the various Hyundai Genesis Coupe proposals showcased at SEMA is this funky example that was co-developed by RIDES and Lux Design. The Korean coupe was sprayed with a coat of Porsche 911 GT3 RS orange paint while the roof was refinished in matte black. It also features a custom body kit from Sarona Design that includes a new front fascia, rear bumper, grille, sideskirts and vented fenders, complemented by a set of 20-inch matte black alloy wheels from Vossen.

The coupe's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was also upgraded with a Turbonetics GT-K 350 ceramic ball bearing turbo and Spearco front-mount intercooler while other performance mods include a full GReddy Racing Ti-C turbo-back exhaust, StopTech brakes and a new coilover kit that lowers the car's ride height.

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SEMA Show: Hennessey's Carbon Fiber-Wrapped Hyundai Genesis Coupe with 500HP

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe appears to be gathering the attention of tuners at this year's SEMA Show. For this particular proposal, Hyundai Motor America teamed up with Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) and the firm's Tuner School. Aside from the matte black, carbon fiber-wrap, the rear-wheel drive coupe has also been upgraded with a heavily modified turbocharged engine (Hennessey didn't say which one) producing 500HP at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque, for an estimated 0-60mph (96km/h) time of 3.9 seconds and a quarter mile time of 12.5 seconds.

Other highlights include Savini lightweight alloy wheels with chrome lips and silver centers, Eibach springs and Brembo lightweight rotors. More details and the live photos of the project car will be released at the SEMA Show next week.

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SEMA Show: Hennessey's Carbon Fiber-Wrapped Hyundai Genesis Coupe with 500HP

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe appears to be gathering the attention of tuners at this year's SEMA Show. For this particular proposal, Hyundai Motor America teamed up with Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) and the firm's Tuner School. Aside from the matte black, carbon fiber-wrap, the rear-wheel drive coupe has also been upgraded with a heavily modified turbocharged engine (Hennessey didn't say which one) producing 500HP at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque, for an estimated 0-60mph (96km/h) time of 3.9 seconds and a quarter mile time of 12.5 seconds.

Other highlights include Savini lightweight alloy wheels with chrome lips and silver centers, Eibach springs and Brembo lightweight rotors. More details and the live photos of the project car will be released at the SEMA Show next week.

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Tuner-Friendly Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec to Debut at SEMA Show [Official Photos Added]

Next week's 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas will see Hyundai performing the official debut of the Genesis Coupe R-Spec that was first announced at the Chicago Auto Show back in February. The tuner-friendly R-Spec is essentially a stripped down version of the 2.0T Track model with a 210HP 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that does away with several non-essential convenience features such as Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls to reduce both cost and weight.

However, it does keep the performance goodies from the Track model like the sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance Summer tires, Brembo braking system and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Hyundai said that the R-Spec will also receive a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts (dealer installation - optional for customer to install) to further enhance initial turn-in and handling response.

It will be available only with a manual transmission and a choice of three exterior colors - Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. At $23,750 (not including a $750 freight charge), the new Genesis Coupe R-Spec is priced $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model.

____________________________________________________________________

'R-Spec' Trim Equipment Includes:

-- 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine

with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 30 mpg

EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph

-- 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission

-- Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic

Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist

-- 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width

high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires

(225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)

-- Brembo braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm

four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear

rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)

-- Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock

absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front

strut brace)

-- Torsen-type limited-slip differential

-- R-Spec badging

-- Tire Pressure Monitoring System

-- Front, side, side curtain air bags

-- Active front head restraints

-- Driver's lumbar support

-- Air conditioning

-- Remote keyless entry system

-- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

-- Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors

-- AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers

-- iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity

-- Projector beam headlamps

-- Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

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Tuner-Friendly Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec to Debut at SEMA Show [Official Photos Added]

Next week's 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas will see Hyundai performing the official debut of the Genesis Coupe R-Spec that was first announced at the Chicago Auto Show back in February. The tuner-friendly R-Spec is essentially a stripped down version of the 2.0T Track model with a 210HP 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that does away with several non-essential convenience features such as Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls to reduce both cost and weight.

However, it does keep the performance goodies from the Track model like the sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance Summer tires, Brembo braking system and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Hyundai said that the R-Spec will also receive a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts (dealer installation - optional for customer to install) to further enhance initial turn-in and handling response.

It will be available only with a manual transmission and a choice of three exterior colors - Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. At $23,750 (not including a $750 freight charge), the new Genesis Coupe R-Spec is priced $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model.

____________________________________________________________________

'R-Spec' Trim Equipment Includes:

-- 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine

with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 30 mpg

EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph

-- 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission

-- Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic

Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist

-- 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width

high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires

(225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)

-- Brembo braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm

four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear

rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)

-- Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock

absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front

strut brace)

-- Torsen-type limited-slip differential

-- R-Spec badging

-- Tire Pressure Monitoring System

-- Front, side, side curtain air bags

-- Active front head restraints

-- Driver's lumbar support

-- Air conditioning

-- Remote keyless entry system

-- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

-- Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors

-- AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers

-- iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity

-- Projector beam headlamps

-- Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

8:57 PM | 0 comments | Read More