Not like last time – we thought it was a review, but it was actually a first drive, preview style. AutoBlog finally has their official review of the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track up on their website. Lots of pictures and a great writeup, so take a look here! We’ve also mirrored all the pictures here, so click “Read more” to see them!

[Source: AutoBlog]

In the 23 years since Hyundai first entered the U.S. market, the Korean automaker has come a long away. What began as a budget-oriented brand for those who couldn’t afford the higher-priced products from Japan has evolved into a credible contender in virtually every segment that it competes. In the early days, the primary emphasis was on affordable motoring, sometimes at the expense of long-term durability. Today, it’s a different story. From the Accent to the Genesis sedan, Hyundai still offers some of the most affordable products, but the decades-old connotations of “cheap” have been largely laid to rest.

Sorry about the recent delays folks, I’ve been relocating halfway across the country to accept a new job offer! Anyways, on with the news! AutoTrader Canada has a short review of the Genesis Coupe – it’s the same impressions around. No one can believe the strides that Hyundai has come since offering abysmal compact cars in the early 90′s to producing award winning sedans and sports coupes.

[Source: AutoTrader Canada]

Out of the Laguna Seca’s paddock onto the pit lane that borders the racetrack’s longest straight, the Genesis Coupe’s intoxicating 3.8-litre V6 blats out a raucous note as I dip my right foot into the throttle. Yes, everything feels good about this car. I know, I’m saying this about a Hyundai, the car company that once brought us the Excel.

]]> http://www.genesisdriven.com/posts/2009/05/161092-autotrader-canada-reviews-genesis-coupe.html/feed 0 http://www.genesisdriven.com/posts/2009/04/09856-millenix-at-8th-gen-civic-test-drives-20t-track.html http://www.genesisdriven.com/posts/2009/04/09856-millenix-at-8th-gen-civic-test-drives-20t-track.html#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:35:11 +0000 Moosh http://www.genesisdriven.com/?p=856

millenix over at the 8th Generation Civic forums has test drive the 2.0T Track edition of the Genesis Coupe in Tsukuba Red (Cheers to Hyundai for naming colors after tracks, I love it) – Overall he likes it, with some minor issues like the relative lack of power and an odd issue with the shift knob. Since when was 200-something HP in a cheap two door car underpowered? Maybe I’m still stuck in the 90′s but I’m sure tuners like Buschur Raching and AMS will be able to coax more power of of the powerplant. Read the full (short) review here!

[Source: 8th Generation Honda Civic Forums]

Interior: I liked the interior a lot, the 2 tone interior is more a maroon/black than a red/black like I thought originally. The dash looks well designed, and I liked the seats a lot… the seats are black leather bolsters with a maroon mesh/cloth material that seems to grab well. Proximity key with push button start is pretty cool, but I know a lot of cars have that now, including almost all Nissan models.

mmarshall over at the ClubLexus forums has written about his thoughs over the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track. Overall, a great car for the money, with an interior that could be improved, and with a great feel and sense of connectiveness on the road. He also very much likes the 6-speed auto, but hey enough of my non-sense. Click here for the full review.

As I mentioned above, not many Genesis Coupes are in stock right now. A Hyundai shop fairly close to my house had an automatic, silver/Black leather, 3.8 Track model ready to go, and offered a solo test-drive, without a salesman riding along, so I jumped at the chance (I knew a number of several CL members were waiting for a review). 

Even before the Genesis Coupe is officially launched in the States, it is already getting glowing positive reviews all around. This next review comes from Popular Mechanics, generally known as the magazine of man. They tested a mid level 3.8 Track in eye popping red, and they loved it. Click here for the full story.

The tested model of the Genesis Coupe, a 3.8L Track model priced at $31,750, is powered by a 3.8L 306 hp V6 with 266 lb-ft of torque and came fully optioned with features such as a 6-speed automatic transmission, power sunroof, heated leather power seats and iPod hookup. The Track package added 19-inch gunmetal alloy wheels with summer tires, Brembo brakes, sport-tuned suspension, aluminum pedals, limited-slip differential, and rear spoiler.

Looks like AutoBlog was able to get their hands on a Lime Rock Green Genesis Coupe before it officially went on sale, and if the short preview as anything telling, they love it! Click here for the jump.

While on the track at Willow Springs, we were able to unchain the frenetic little devil that the Genesis Coupe keeps leashed around town. The steering wheel is the perfect size and provides plenty of feedback. The exhaust note, less than inspiring when you’re nice to the car, finds its bellow when you stomp on the gas and let the revs climb. The brakes will keep up the good work for lap after lap after lap. The handling will even make a few other cars take note -– there’s no “in it’s price bracket” caveat here – and its rear-wheel-drive reflexes are nicely tuned. It is easy to get quick in the Genesis Coupe, and once there, it’s pretty easy to stay quick.

Our 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track is painted Bathurst Black. That’s Bathurst as in Bathurst 1000, a 620-mile (1,000-km) race on Australia’s Mount Panorama Circuit, a 3.9-mile road course with 23 turns, grades of up to 16 percent and a 1.2-mile-long straightaway named Conrod Straight after a spectacular engine failure endured by racer Frank Kleinig in 1939.

Posted by MotorTrend here

Don’t believe us? Well, Hyundai was one of only four automakers to sell more vehicles in January 2009 than it did in January 2008. In other words, in a month when such terms as “Great Recession” were floating around and Chrysler’s sales were down 54.8 percent, GM’s 48.9, and Toyota’s 31.7, Hyundai’s were on the rise. Baby steps? Hyundai is making giant strides.

One such stride — and it’s a big one, especially considering Hyundai’s sportiest vehicle to date was the 172-horsepower front-drive Tiburon — is the all-new 2010 Genesis Coupe. Just as the Genesis sedan’s mission was to boldly lead Hyundai into the luxury-car arena, the Coupe’s is to unabashedly storm the sports-car field. What’s the formula? Try 300-plus-horsepower, rear drive, and styling that’ll startle a Town Car. But does it work? Let’s explore.