Wednesday, February 11, 2009

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to start at $22,000

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

We've known rough performance numbers on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe for some time now: 0-60 in under six seconds, up to 30 mpg with the 2.0T, and so on. But one set of key numbers has eluded us until now: price. Hyundai's rear-drive performance hopeful will weigh in at $22,000 for the base 210-hp 2.0L turbo model, and the 306-hp 3.8L V6 will start at $25,000.

Despite being the price leader, the 2.0T still piles on a lot of kit including a six-speed manual transmission, a full compliment of brake-related electronics (ABS, traction control, brake force distribution, and brake assist) and 18-inch alloys wrapped in Bridgestone Potenzas. Standard creature comforts include keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, leather wrapped wheel and shifter, a six-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 player with USB port and steering wheel audio controls, and Bluetooth.

Tuner types and gearheads will probably be most interested in the newly announced mid-priced 2.0T R-Spec model ($23,750). Hyundai has chosen not to make the R-Spec a stripped-out lightweight performance model. As such, the model still includes things like the aforementioned six-speaker stereo, air-conditioning and remote keyless entry, but the 137-mph coupe also gets Hyundai's full compliment of performance hardware, including uprated Brembo brakes, stiffened suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and 19-inch gunmetal alloys wrapped with summer tires.

On the top end, a full-house 3.8-liter Track model Genesis Coupe with six-speed ZF automatic will run $31,000, and that model will get the performance bits from the R-Spec listed above, along with HID headlamps, a rear spoiler, and so on. Inside, buyers will be greeted by leather seats, aluminum pedals, proximity key, power moonroof controls, and a ten-speaker 360-watt stereo with subwoofer and eight-channel amplifier.

Given the wide variety of packages and options available, we expect the Genny Coupe to be cross-shopped against a wide constellation of performance autos, including everything from the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Lancer Ralliart/Evo to the Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z, Infiniti G37 and BMW 1-Series.

So... what tricks did Hyundai miss? If there are any glaring omissions on the Genesis Coupe's options list, it's that a navigation system won't be available until mid-year. Dealers should expect their first shipments of Genesis Coupes beginning later this month.

[Source: Hyundai]

0 comments:

Post a Comment