Car Sight 2011: Hyundai Genesis Coupe new cars, car reviews, car pictures and auto industry trends

The team behind the Russian edition of BBC’s Top Gear magazine recently headed over to the Nurburgring racetrack to try out Hyundai’s rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe. The model of choice was fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 306-horsepower, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

If you don’t want to hear or see the antics of the presenters in the beginning of the clip, fast-forward the video a minute or two to go straight to the part where the magazine’s test driver Dmitry Sokolov laps the Nurburgring. And yes, that's a Porsche 911 -possibly from the GT series- that Sokolov is about to attack. Watch the video directly on Youtube by clicking this link as Sokolov's page does not allow embedding on external sites.

At the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai not only announced pricing for its Genesis Coupe, but the Korean automaker also announced a new 'trimmed down' version of its rear-wheel-drive sportscar called "R-Spec". The latter is based on the 210HP 2.0-liter Turbo version of the Genesis Coupe and it is designed to appeal to enthusiasts who want a low starting price and the ability to tune their car to their own specifications.

When the Genesis Coupe begins to arrive at Hyundai dealerships later in the month, $22,000 will get you into a fairly well-equipped 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine 2.0T model while $25,000 is the asking price for a base, 306-horsepower, 3.8-liter, V6 engine model.

The Genesis Coupe R-Spec that is priced at $23,750 or $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, adds a series of performance orientated goodies such as track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance summer tires, Brembo braking system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and R-Spec badging.

In order to keep the price low and at the same time, reduce weight, Hyundai eliminated some non-essential comfort features like the Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. The R-Spec will be available in three exteriors colors: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red.

2010 Genesis Coupe Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Pricing

Model	Engine	Package	Transmission	MSRP
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.		Six-Speed Manual	$22,000
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.		Five-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$23,250
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	Premium	Six-Speed Manual	$24,250
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	Premium	Five-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$25,500
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	Track	Six-Speed Manual	$26,750
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	R-Spec *	Six-Speed Manual	$23,750
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6		Six-Speed Manual	$25,000
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6		ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$26,500
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Grand Touring	Six-Speed Manual	$27,500
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Grand Touring	ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$29,000
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Track	Six-Speed Manual	$29,500
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Track	ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$31,000