Spicy Kim Chi: Hyundai's 2010 Genesis Coupe

Looks like Hyundai is getting serious. First, it buys redonkulously expensive airtime during this year’s Superbowl to broadcast a less-than memorable ad (hint: it featured a car driving. On a road.) Then, at the 2008 New York Auto Show, Hyundai goes and drops a good looking, rear-wheel drive, 300hp coupe on us.

Let me repeat that: good looking. 300hp. Hyundai. Someone smack me, please.

Bred from the Genesis concept unveiled at the 2007 LA Auto Show, albeit with less Tiburon-esque lines and minus the trendy carbon fiber hood treatment, the soon-to-see-production Genesis Coupe will undoubtedly be a strong competitor to a certain Pony Car. It may also see competition from the much-rumored AE86 (Hachi Roku!) bargain coupe in development as a joint Subaru and Toyota venture. A new performance war in the small rear-wheel-drive coupe segment? I certainly hope so!

As for the new Genesis Coupe, two powerplants will be offered: a turbocharged and intercooled 212-hp inline four cylinder or a zippy 3.8-liter DOHC V6 popping out 306-hp. We expect the 2.0-liter turbo will be all the rage.

The rest of the features cover the bases--and then some: Independent rear-suspension? Check. Deeply bolstered “sport” seats? Rodger that (leather optional). Factory anti-sway bars? 18mm rear and 23mm front, check-check. RPM-sensing steering rack? Check. Six-speed manual transmission or an option for a flappy-paddle 5-speed? Yup. Four-pot Brembo brakes on the front? Uh huh, has those too. HID headlights? Nod. iPod interface? Yes, dammit.

Out of the gate, the Genesis will be offered in three trim levels: An entry-level GS, with the 2.0-liter turbo mill and the basic amenities -- including Bluetooth integration. The luxo-sport GT with the V6 and trimmed out with leather. Or the SE, which comes with the fatty Brembo brakes, choice of either the inline-4 or V6 powerplants, limited-slip diff and other go-fast bits.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but if the SE is in the mid-to-low $20s, Subaru and Mitsubishi will face a serious threat from this Korean upstart. I can’t wait to put that shootout together. Look for the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe to go on sale in 2009 as a 2010 model.