2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Preview
Critical Knowledge:
Introduction
The Genesis sedan, which goes on sale this spring, gets wood trim and offers a 360-hp V-8 engine. The Genesis Coupe, which borrows design cues such as a sharp side crease and stylish front lights from last year’s Genesis Coupe Concept as well as other Hyundai concepts such as the HCD9 Talus and the HCD8 sport tourer, is aimed at "hardcore automotive enthusiasts," according to a Hyundai executive. With a year to go before its on-sale date, Hyundai didn’t disclose fuel mileage or pricing.
Model Lineup
The GT Coupe gets the 300-plus-hp V-6 engine; a leather steering wheel and shift knob; metallic interior trim; automated air conditioning; fog lamps; and exterior chrome accents.
The sporty Genesis Coupe SE, with either the 4- or 6-cylinder engine, adds HID headlights; aluminum pedals; a rear spoiler; 19-inch alloy wheels; higher-performance Bridgestone Potenza tires; a track-tuned suspension; and seats with black leather bolsters and red cloth inserts. The SE Coupe also gets Brembo 4-piston calipers and large rotors.
Hardware
Safety
Technology
South Korean automaker Hyundai unveiled a concept version of the Genesis sedan at the 2007 New York Auto Show, a Genesis Coupe concept at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, the production version of the 2009 Genesis sedan at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in 
Detroit in January and recently, the production model of the 2010 Genesis Coupe at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Hyundai mentions the Infiniti G37 and BMW M3 when making comparisons, but the Genesis Coupe with its high-output, 3.8-liter V-6 engine and expected price point make rivals of mainstream coupés such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, as well as sporty two-doors such as the Scion tC, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Volkswagen GTI.
Found on the base model Hyundai Genesis Coupe GS with its 4-cylinder engine are manual air conditioning; keyless entry; power windows, doors and mirrors; an AM/FM/XM/CD stereo with USB and iPod compatibility; cruise control; and lighted vanity mirrors.
A turbocharged, 2.0-liter, dual-cam 4-cylinder engine is found on the base Hyundai Genesis Coupe GS or the sporty SE. It generates 212 hp—223 hp with premium unleaded fuel, Hyundai says—and 217 lb.-ft. of torque. It features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) as well as a dual cat-back exhaust. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, but buyers can opt for a 5-speed automatic 
transmission with Shiftronic. On the Genesis Coupe GT, buyers will find a 3.8-liter, dual-cam V-6 engine that makes 306 hp—310 hp with premium fuel—and 263 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s available on the SE model, too. This engine gets CVVT plus a new Variable Intake System (VIS) for better breathing at low and high rpm. A 6-speed manual shifter is standard, and a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic is available.
Advanced dual front, side, and side curtain air bags are standard on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, as are active front head restraints. Four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) also are found on every Genesis Coupe. So are traction control and electronic stability control (ESC), which Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) studies show lessens fatalities in single-vehicle crashes by 56 percent.
The stereo on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe plays AM, FM and XM satellite radio. It also plays CDs and has a standard auxiliary input jack (both a 3.5 mm mini jack and a USB port) for connecting flash drives or MP3 players such as iPods. Music plays through the car’s stereo, and displays song title and artist information on the head unit. Don’t like a song? Move to the next one using the steering-wheel audio controls.—Matt Nauman
