2007 LA Auto Show: Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept Preview Oklahoma

provided by:

(Continue to more photos from MyRide.com)

 

What it Is
Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept Preview - 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: The Hyundai Genesis Sedan that the company will unveil in Detroit in about a month is a groundbreaker, at least for the Korean company. But from the moment the concept was unveiled last year, speculation abounded that there would be a coupe version. This was confirmed in spy photos, and officially today as Hyundai took the wraps off the Genesis Coupe Concept, a modified version of what will eventually be the production car.

 

 

Why it Matters
The concept itself isn't the real story, it's the production car it's based on that matters. The Genesis Coupe quite possibly could reshape the vision people have of Hyundai, thanks to its aggressive but clean styling and most importantly, its rear-drive configuration. Right now you can count on zero fingers the number of rear drive Korean cars offered in the U.S. The Genesis will change that, and quite possibly change the game altogether.

What's Under the Hood
Two engines will be available in the Genesis Coupe. The first is 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder with an output of around 220 horses, and this is likely what the tuner kids will gravitate to thanks to the turbo's easy tunability. The second will be powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine pushing somewhere north of 300 horsepower. Transmissions for the base engine aren't clear, but the V-6 will be mated to a six speed manual...at least, that's what the concept has. And as we mentioned, all that power goes to the rear wheels. No word yet on whether the rumored 350-plus horsepower V-8 will find its way under the hood.

What it Looks Like
There is very little controversial about the Genesis coupe. The overall shape has classic front-engine, rear-drive proportions, with a long hood and short rear deck. The wheels bulge impressively under the fenders, and the extra body work on the concept is outrageous, but not to the point of disguising the underlying goodness of the production vehicle. Our only quibble is with the peculiar treatment of the rear side window, which dips below the beltline already established by the front windows. Tension or just a slip of the pen, it's a little odd looking.

What's Inside
The Genesis Coupe Concept's interior is the most unrealistic part of the car, as we highly doubt that the white plastic single-piece chairs and white on gray plastics will make it to production. Still, we've come away impressed by recent Hyundai interiors, and expect that when it makes it to production, the Genesis Coupe will have a layout as clean as anything else we've seen from the Korean manufacturer.

What Hyundai Says
Two men were on stage to introduce the concept, so it seems only fair to quote them both. From John Krafcik, vice president of product development and strategic planning at Hyundai Motor America: "Concept Genesis Coupe is the most thrilling, most emotional Hyundai yet. When it hits the market in early 2009, we aim to deliver a driving experience that challenges cars like Infiniti G37, at prices more like Mitsubishi Eclipse." And from Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif.: "The mission for Concept Genesis Coupe was to create a pure performance car with a design that would capture the imagination of hardcore automotive enthusiasts. With its aggressive look from just about any angle, I think we have been able to do that."

What We Think
The hype sounds impressive. With promises of G37 performance at Eclipse prices, it's a little hard not to get excited. Hyundai has a recent track record of hitting its targets pretty hard as well. Are we excited? Sure, why not.

By Keith Buglewicz
Photos: Hyundai

• Get Info and Pricing for Hyundai Genesis

 

Continue to 2007 LA Auto Show: Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept Preview Review from MyRide.com

Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.