In this Webrides.com video, the lovely Jessyca Rayanne spoke with Eric Stoddard, the lead designer for the concept Hyundai Genesis Coupe featured at the 2007 LA Auto Show. This custom concept Genesis coupe was designed specifically by Stoddard to appeal to the tuner and enthusiast crowd, to show them what a customized Genesis could look like. However, the customization is only skin deep, and the body kit is only marginally different from what will be available when the Genesis coupe goes into production. The Genesis is beautiful vehicle, with long, fluid, swept back body lines with curves ending in sharp points. This theme is featured throughout the vehicle, from the shape of the car itself to the outline of the side windows. The bright orange pearl paint and the carbon fiber accessories offset each other perfectly, as do the small chrome accents attached to the carbon fiber.
The rear end is shaped very much like a Nissan 350Z, swept back and angular with a small rear wing. The head and tail lights are ultra clear and feature bright LED's in the same stylistic curves ending in sharp points. Under the hood, the Hyundai Genesis coupe features Hyundai's first in house engine platform, the Tau. While the sedan version comes equipped with the V8, the coupe is light enough that Stoddard and the design team decided the V6 would be sufficient. Ranging in size from a 2 liter turbo to a 3.8L V6, the Tau platform is capable of making over 300HP! The Genesis also has three available transmission choices, including two 6-speed transmissions, one manual and the other automatic with a manual option, and a smaller 5-speed manual transmission for the smaller 2L engine. While Eric pointed out that the Genesis featured at the show was "very close to production" and featured "some custom elements meant to appeal to the enthusiast", the most interesting comments made were about price.
Stoddard pointed out that while the performance, luxury amenities, and overall quality of the Genesis coupe were on par to compete with much more expensive cars, like Mercedes and Lexus, the price range was targeted more towards potential Mitsubishi Eclipse and Ford Mustang buyers. Sounds like a steal in the making!
