Friday 30th January 2009

Video: Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Superbowl ads show new coupe

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Its Superbowl Sunday in the US this weekend, and Hyundai is using the event and its massive TV viewing figures as a chance to promote their latest products.

They've made a series of 30-second ads to run in between segments of the TV coverage. Most of them are fairly straight-laced appeals to common-sense and economy, flaunting Hyundai's relative success in America in the past few years (itself probably the reason that the Korean manufacturer can afford to advertise in this prized slot) and a recession-proof finance guarantee.

But one of the ads is clearly aimed at a different part of the brain. The video below shows the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe drifting around a circuit, to the music of Smashing Pumpkins stars Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin.

The car is expertly piloted by ex-rally star and now drift-god Rhys Millen. These days Millen can normally be found in a US drift racing series driving a Pontiac GTO or a Red Bull Solstice GXP, but here he is seen at the helm of the upcoming rear-wheel drive Hyundai Genesis coupe.

The Genesis coupe (nothing to do with the front-wheel drive European Coupe) has been wowing most of the journos who have managed to get behind the wheel. But apparently, due to strict European crash regulations, at present there are no plans to bring the car to the UK.

It comes with a choice of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo making 207bhp or a 299bhp 3.8-litre V6, with a six-speed manual and, as you'd expect for the American market, an automatic gearbox - albeit one that retains the full suite of six cogs.

The so-called '2010 Genesis Coupe' was released in Korea in late 2008, and is scheduled for US release in Spring 2009.

[tim2100]

That is crap that we don't get it over here.

The Hyundai Coupe enjoyed some success over here and has had pretty good sales figures.

It looks good although it didn't go well.

I am sure with those engines and RWD it would have been pretty successfull over here. AFAIK there is no other RWD Coupe in a budget (<£20k) price bracket at the moment.

[CypherP]

I like the look of that, is a good looking car, from what you get to see of it in that ad, and i agree, the coupe has been pretty successful over here, a mate of mine owning the 2.7 V6 which i think is a pretty nice affordable coupe.

Knowing our 'strict' regulations, it probably wont grace us with its presence, which is a shame as that's the type of thing Europe needs to get people wanting to buy more enjoyable but reasonably priced vehicles.

Edited by CypherP on Friday 30th January 17:02

[Martin_ST]

What a mess! He's all over the place

[carjac]

Anybody got any decent pics, couldn't tell much from that vid. cheers

[Mclovin]

my god i driven the old v6 and it was a boring st...i hope they improved it...why cant someone do a coupe using the corrado vr6 as a benchmark....

[mrclav]

For carjac... and anyone else who's interested!

[loudlashadjuster]

Note to UK Advertising Standards Agency:

This is how car adverts *should* look; none of that sanitised, "let's just pretend they aren't cars" nonsense you force us to endure.

[tim2100]

loudlashadjuster said:

Note to UK Advertising Standards Agency:

This is how car adverts *should* look; none of that sanitised, "let's just pretend they aren't cars" nonsense you force us to endure.

+1

That looks great!

[EDLT]

loudlashadjuster said:

Note to UK Advertising Standards Agency:

This is how car adverts *should* look; none of that sanitised, "let's just pretend they aren't cars" nonsense you force us to endure.

They aren't allowed to make adverts that contain cars going quickly. It'll make everyone speed to death.

[neiljohnson]

I must admit i like it especillay the interior. Shame it doesnt look like its gonna be bought over here.

[Miguel]

Mclovin said:

my god i driven the old v6 and it was a boring st...i hope they improved it...why cant someone do a coupe using the corrado vr6 as a benchmark....

Unlike both the old Hyundai Coupe you drove and the Corrado, this new Hyundai Genesis Coupe is RWD. Also, the base four cylinder turbo is significantly more powerful than the old FWD 2.7 V6. I believe it's essentially a detuned version of the Mitsubishi Evo engine. The 3.8 V6 has another 90 or so hp on top of that.

Miguel

[stephen300o]

Doesn't look too bad, a sort of interesting Lexus.

[vz-r_dave]

Another one produced to show that Hyundai are certinly on their way up in the auto industry.

[Andrew[MG]]

I think the car looks quite boring :S

[GarC]

I think CAR magazine went to Korea to test one of these a few months ago. They rated it quite highly.

I think it looks good and perhaps could introduce a whole new group of people to the RWD experience. If enthusiasts like it, that couldn't do the brand image any harm....

[Bada Bing!]

That's the first Hyundai coupe I've that's peaked my interest. I drove the most recent model and it was as hideous to drive as it was to look at. I'd almost go as far as to call it vile.

But this new RWD one does appeal. There aren't many new cheap RWD thrills to be had at the moment.

[Gizmo!]

Still looks great.
Still want one.
But what's this about no UK imports? The Very Pretty Girl on the Hyundai stand at last year's motorshow assured me that it would be coming.

[stephen300o]

Gizmo! said:

Still looks great.
Still want one.
But what's this about no UK imports? The Very Pretty Girl on the Hyundai stand at last year's motorshow assured me that it would be coming.

Maybe you misheard, missed your chance.

[MarkoTVR]

I like the look of the current Hyundai Coupe (SIII), but the V6 output is poor.....165-7bhp from 2.7L IIRC. Looks like this version might have addressed that!

Guess we'll never get it now that it's actually right!

Edited by MarkoTVR on Sunday 1st February 17:13

[CelicaGT]

This car looks great, RWD, 310hp, cheap, what's not to like? This is the first Hyundai I've ever seen that I would consider buying. Being a Hyundai it will no doubt be cheap and have a great 100,000/10 year warranty (to cover worries about it breaking). I think I like the styling as well, it's interesting.

Here is some more footage of the car and some info as well:
http://www.hyundaigenesis.com/coupe/

Edited by CelicaGT on Monday 2nd February 02:06