Fast & Furious 4 Premieres Without Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Inside Line reported a year ago that Universal Studios had requested a Genesis Coupe for F&F 4, and Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson is obviously disappointed at the missed opportunity.

"We had the car ready to go," says Johnson. "And I think at the end of the day, another manufacturer blocked us."

Johnson admits that Hyundai "never got that officially from the studio," but months after receiving the initial call to get the Genesis Coupe involved, it was eventually dropped from the list. Johnson says it was especially disappointing since Hyundai had just a few running prototypes, and the red turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder Genesis Coupe SE that had been prepped and waiting was actually pulled from other activities for Fast & Furious 4 filming.

Johnson also notes that the 2010 Genesis Coupe was set to appear in the "original opening sequence with Vin Diesel."

The trailer for F&F 4 shows Diesel's character, Dominic Toretto, driving a 1987 Buick GNX.

"Comes back to just another one of those Hollywood deals," says Johnson.

Inside Line says: Hyundai may have lost out, but so did Toretto. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor