Hyundai planning lightweight Genesis coupe, targa model to follow

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Motorsports, New York Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Hyundai

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

On the eve of the official unveiling of the Genesis coupe, we were able to score a few details from company execs about the future of Hyundai's first foray into turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive goodness. While Hyundai will only be showing off two versions of the Genesis coupe in New York, more variants are planned for the future, including a targa model sporting a retractable glass roof (ala Porsche 911 Targa), a convertible, and, more compelling, a lightweight version only offered with the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder.

Hyundai admits that only so much can be done to shed pounds from the coupe, which is already a rather portly beast to begin with, but by nixing some of the sound deadening material and possibly ditching the rear seats, Hyundai hopes that the sporting nature of the Genesis coupe will be fully realized. Naturally, this proposed lightweight model would have even more appeal to enthusiasts and could foretell a future motorsports campaign from an automaker that has thus far stayed off the performance junkie's radar.

We'll have a full report after Hyundai's press conference tomorrow, so check back in around 3:50 pm for the full scoop on the Genesis coupe.

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[GrandPrix08]

Well, it's a good car, but there are 2 things I don't like about the coupe. 1, I HATE Rear Wheel Drive. I know what you will call me, but I am more into Front wheel driver, and I firmly believe FWD is still superior when it comes to hills, and 2, I do not like the nose of the Genesis coupe. To me, it may have been a better styled car if the grill was narrower or no grill at all, like the Tiburon was.

That's the only thing I don't like about the car.