Hyundai Motor
America redesigned their 2013 Genesis Coupe in a North
American. In keeping with impressive performance upgrades, Genesis Coupe now
sports more aggressive coupe styling, complemented by improved interior
materials and design. Both 4-cylinder and V6 engines benefit from significant
technology enhancements, with the 3.8-liter V6 engine receiving sophisticated
direct-injection technology and the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine upgrading to
a more precise twin-scroll turbocharger and larger intercooler. Automatic
transmissions for these two models now have 8-speeds, with paddle-shift
SHIFTRONIC® manual-shifting capability. Hyundai’s proprietary telematics
platform, Blue Link®, is now available, providing Genesis Coupe owners with a
variety of infotainment services to meet their individual connectivity needs.
The refreshed Genesis Coupe strikes a more menacing demeanor, with an
aggressively redesigned front fascia, grille, headlights, LED daytime running
lights, fog lights and hood with heat extractor cues. The side view reveals
new, aggressive 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs with deeper dimensional
sculpting. Finally, the rear taillights provide a visual spark via premium LED
illumination and new contours. The traditional rear-drive sport coupe
proportions remain, with a long wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs
producing a classic wedge-like profile. Genesis Coupe’s bodyside character line
is an innovative “Z”-shaped design that integrates seamlessly with a unique,
drop-beltline rear window graphic.
Genesis Coupe’s arching roofline and tapering greenhouse
highlight the exterior profile and emphasize the car’s broad shoulders and wide
stance. To complete the aggressive sports car look,
the depth between the fenders and the greenhouse has been maximized.
Enlarged openings in the front fascia allow for better
engine breathing along with a more aggressive look. Dual asymmetrical exhaust
tips integrated with the blackout rear diffuser treatment complete the
performance message from the rear.
Both Genesis Coupe engines receive significant technology upgrades,
backing up its new design statement with impressive performance gains. The 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC
V6 engine adds sophisticated direct-injection technology, adding 42 horsepower
(a generous 14 percent increase) and 29 lb.-ft of torque (an eleven percent
increase).
The 3.8-liter engine uses Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (Dual CVVT)
and a Variable Intake System (VIS) that helps cylinders breathe most efficiently
at both low and high RPM. The combination of high-pressure, precisely-metered
direct injection with efficient cylinder breathing results in outstanding throttle
response and off-the-line acceleration coupled with remarkable fuel efficiency.
The V6 engine uses an alloy block and cylinder heads for lighter weight and
thermal efficiency and features durable, quiet timing chains with no scheduled
maintenance.
All these technologies serve to give Genesis Coupe 3.8 an impressive
power-to-weight ratio of only 10.0:1. According to Hyundai this is significantly
lower than the more expensive Infiniti G37 and BMW 335i.
The turbocharged, intercooled 2.0-liter DOHC
inline four-cylinder substitutes a new twin-scroll design for its
turbocharger in addition to a larger intercooler with enhanced thermal
efficiency. The twin-scroll design is more efficient at recovering exhaust
energy and produces cooler cylinder temperatures than the former single-scroll
design. In addition, the twin-scroll is more precise, with improved combustion
efficiency, reduced turbo lag, leaner air/fuel ratios and more evenly
distributed pressure in the exhaust ports, resulting in simultaneous power,
efficiency and emissions improvements. Also, a 53 percent larger intercooler
further reduces intake temperatures, providing denser, cooler air from which to
develop even more power.
This turbocharged engine also benefits from Dual CVVT on both intake and
exhaust camshafts. The 2.0-liter turbo now generates 274 horsepower (a massive
30 percent increase) and 275 lb.-ft. of torque (an impressive 23 percent
increase) on premium fuel. And, unlike many competitive turbo engines, this
turbo’s anti-knock sensors automatically adjust ignition timing and engine
mapping to run perfectly on regular fuel, yielding 260 horsepower at 6,000 RPM
and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 RPM.
The turbo engine also features a cast-aluminum cylinder block and
cylinder head. All these improvements give the Genesis Coupe 2.0T a
power-to-weight ratio of 12.3, Hyundai states it is superior to the upcoming
Scion FR-S sports coupe and the Honda Civic Si.
Genesis Coupe employs a MacPherson strut dual-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension setup. The front suspension is mounted to the body via a solid subframe that is lighter and stronger than a comparable multi-piece component would be. To help reduce body roll and tune the Genesis Coupe’s at-the-limit
handling for maximum predictability, 23-mm diameter front and 19-mm diameter rear
stabilizer bars are fitted.
While all Genesis Coupe models offer
a true rear-drive sport driving experience, the high-performance Genesis Coupe R-Spec
and Track models raise the bar even higher with differentiated, track-tuned
suspension calibrations. The R-Spec/Track suspension features both firmer front
spring rates (seven percent) and rear spring rates (eleven percent), with
matched damper rates. The Genesis Coupe R-Spec/Track models also deliver a
significant increase in roll control over other versions of the Genesis Coupe
via thicker stabilizer bars (24mm front/20mm rear). For 2013, all Genesis
Coupes receive improved low-velocity-control dampers for refined ride comfort
coupled with improved body control.
In addition, all R-Spec and Track
models now receive front strut camber adjustment bolts that can be easily
installed in the front strut assembly at their owner’s discretion. These camber
adjustment bolts allow approximately -1.5 degrees of negative front camber
adjustment for sharper, more responsive apex turn-in and significant understeer
reduction in competitive events.
Hydraulic, RPM-sensing
rack-and-pinion steering has been recalibrated with an even quicker, 13.8:1
ratio, delivering both linear feel and agile response to driver inputs. This
new steering ratio is a full seven-percent quicker than the previous model, yielding
intuitive steering response and precision. To further optimize driver
ergonomics, telescopic adjustment also has been added to tilt adjustment for
2013.
Both engines are mated to standard six-speed manual transmissions which
have been extensively refined to provide more driver-friendly shift gating and
balanced weighting precision. The clutch take-up, feel, and engagement
characteristics also have been refined for optimum shifting ease and feel. Both
engines now offer an in-house-developed eight-speed automatic with paddle-shift SHIFTRONIC® manual-shifting capability.
Each transmission has been specifically tuned to match its engine’s unique
power and torque curve characteristics.
In addition to the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, each
automatic offers shift capability via the shift lever according to individual
driver preference. A clear LCD readout on the instrument panel shows the selected
gear at all times.
Brembo® four-piston calipers clamp down on fade-resistant 13.4-inch
ventilated front brake rotors and 13-inch ventilated rear rotors on both R-Spec
and Track models. All other models get substantial 12.6-inch front ventilated
rotors and 12.4-inch rotors in the rear with floating single-piston calipers.
UPSCALE INTERIOR REFINEMENT
The 2013 Genesis
Coupe interior has been enhanced with distinctive, upscale features and design
cues. The instrument panel crash pad features a stitched-seam appearance for a
distinctly upscale look, and the parking brake lever is leather-wrapped on
leather-equipped models. The instrument cluster now features an
electroluminescent gauge cluster for premium ambience and superior readability.
A new driver-side rear seat walk-in assist function has been added for more
convenient rear seat access from the driver’s side. Convenient seatbelt assist
guides make it easier for front passengers to buckle up.
In addition,
driver seat power lumbar support is now available and front seatback pockets
are standard on all Genesis Coupes. A center stack multi-gauge cluster with
instantaneous mpg, torque level (3.8 models) or turbocharger boost pressure
(2.0T models), and oil temperature is standard on all trims. A center fascia
tray with cover has been added for enhanced storage, and interior surfaces now
have a softer touch with lower sheen for a more up-market feel. Sport front seats with deep side
bolsters offer superb lateral support for enthusiastic driving in all trim
configurations.
Among other premium features are an available Infinity® premium audio
system and two-stage front seat heaters. Genesis Coupe also offers the
convenience of a Proximity Key and push-button start.
Genesis Coupe offers Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights,
for brighter illumination intensity, more daylight-like lighting character and
reduced power consumption. In addition, the visual cut lines of these HID
headlights are razor sharp, providing maximum nighttime visibility to the
driver without the risk of blinding oncoming traffic.
Music lovers will welcome the Genesis Coupe’s standard auxiliary input
jacks (3.5 mm mini-jack and USB input) to accommodate and charge personal audio
devices such as an iPod®. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the
USB port in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through
the vehicle’s audio system, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver
to access tracks with the steering wheel audio controls. This system also
allows both driver and passengers to easily view song/artist/title information
and control the music from the audio head unit rather than the iPod unit. This
safety-oriented function allows the driver to keep his or her focus on the road
at all times.
Hyundai Blue Link telematics is available on 2013 Genesis Coupe with a
90-day complimentary trial period. The Blue Link platform is available on 3.8
Grand Touring/Track and 2.0T Premium trim levels. Blue Link can be accessed
from the buttons on the rearview mirror inside the Genesis Coupe, the web and
via smart phone. Blue Link is offered in three telematics service packages:
Assurance, Essentials and Guidance.
“Blue Link combines safety, service and infotainment into a complete
package that works to both help simplify Hyundai owners’ lives and reduce
distracted driving,” said Barry Ratzlaff, director of customer satisfaction and
service business development, Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve carefully studied
how drivers rely on smart phones and navigation systems as an innovative link
to the outside world. Blue Link brings that seamless connectivity directly into
the car with technology like voice text messaging, Point-of-Interest (POI) web
search download, turn-by-turn navigation, and monthly vehicle reporting. Our
agent-assisted advanced voice recognition system offers a 21st century solution
to performing POI searches in the vehicle. This unique and innovative
approach enables Hyundai to deliver fast, accurate searches and downloads of POIs
to vehicles without the unnecessary costs of traditional operator-only type
systems of our competitors.”
Hyundai’s
focus on offering segment-leading standard safety technologies across its
lineup, the 2013 Genesis Coupe includes a wide range of both active and passive
safety features. Standard safety technology includes driver and front passenger
advanced frontal airbags, along with front seat-mounted side airbags, side air
curtains and active front head restraints.
Genesis
Coupe has strong unibody construction, along with front and rear crumple zones,
bodyside reinforcements and five-mph energy-absorbing bumpers. The hood also
includes buckling creases and safety stops.
The front
seatbelts have pretensioners and force limiters, and the rear seats feature
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), which make affixing child
safety seats easier.
All Genesis
Coupe models feature standard four-channel ABS with Electronic Brake-force
Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance under various dynamic loading
conditions. The system also includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum
ABS-level braking force when a panic stop is detected.
Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry’s most effective life-saving
technologies, is standard in all Genesis Coupe models. Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS) studies suggest vehicles equipped with ESC experience 56
percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes than those without it.
In a nod to enthusiasts, 2013 Genesis
Coupe now offers a specially-tuned three-stage driver-selectable ESC mode. This
new three-stage ESC function offers more options for various driver preferences
and road conditions:
1.
Full-on ESC function (default mode on start-up)
2.
Intermediate ESC function with driver powertrain override
control and retained ESC/TCS braking function
3.
Full-off ESC function for uninhibited driver vehicle
control in all conditions
The
driver-selectable full-off ESC mode has been calibrated to provide drivers with
a larger performance envelope should they choose to participate in competitive
events such as autocrosses or track days. The Genesis Coupe anti-lock braking
system function (ABS) remains fully functional in all ESC modes to help drivers
maintain steering control under adverse braking conditions.
Hyundai is
on a true winning streak!
Bruce
Hubbard
Auto Advisor
Group
