- Hyundai is tossing around major engine upgrades in 2012 for models throughout its U.S. lineup, with coupes enjoying much of the emphasis.
- The Genesis Coupe, restyled and going on sale early next year as a 2013 model, gets oodles more power for its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.8-liter dual-cam V6.
- There's a two-door version of the Elantra coming next year, too, although it won't get any of the new powered-up engines. Yet.
SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Michigan — Hyundai Motor America already can't keep much of anything on its dealer lots for more than a few days, but the surging South Korean automaker is blasting off with a raft of major engine upgrades for its existing models that not only hike the horsepower game but generally deliver better fuel economy, too. Coupe lovers move to the front of the line, as much of the action (at least that we're allowed to talk about so far) centers on the sporty corner of Hyundai's busy showrooms.
At a media event here last week to detail the power plant upgrades, Hyundai officials said the company isn't letting up on its emphasis on engines that help vehicles achieve a 40-mpg highway rating (Hyundai claims the most in the industry), but said there's still plenty of engineering ability to improve fuel economy — or keep it the same — while squeezing out more power. Case in point is the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.8-liter V6 for the 2013 Genesis Coupe. At an event in Korea today, Hyundai confirmed a 30-percent power upgrade for the 2.0-liter turbo, taking it to 275 horsepower (or a little less in U.S.-spec rating) from today's 210 horses, while EPA fuel economy ratings are expected to stay the same.
For the Genesis Coupe's 3.8-liter V6, power is leaping from the current 283 hp to 350, largely thanks to the addition of direct fuel injection and other design upgrades, while fuel economy remains effectively unchanged. The Genesis Coupe V6 upgrades effectively mirror those Hyundai's already detailed for the 2012 Genesis sedan, but credit some of the Coupe's efficiency gains to a new eight-speed gearset for autobox cars.
Meanwhile, Hyundai executives also spoke again about the 2012 Veloster three-door coupe offering a turbocharged variant of the car's 1.6-liter "Gamma" four-cylinder. The rip, though, is that the company still won't be specific about exact horsepower and torque ratings. The compression ratio drops from 11:1 to 9.4:1 for the turbo, which uses a twin-scroll turbine to minimize turbo lag, and one Hyundai executive said it's logical to assume the turbo Gamma will be endowed with markedly more than 100 hp per liter. The Veloster's normally aspirated 1.6-liter job makes 138 horses, so our guess for the Veloster turbo is an output in the range of 175-180 hp. Hyundai sources admit the conventional Veloster is a lukewarm performer, so the turbo engine definitely is required equipment to bump the edgy coupe's street cred.
The company also showed a coupe version of the silly-popular Elantra compact car, which seems to emphasize the Elantra's signature sharp body side crease. That car will first be unveiled to the public at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in February, while president and CEO John Krafcik also said there will be a five-door Elantra variant, too, although it's not decided if the car will carry the previous-generation five-door Elantra's "Touring" name. Don't expect any performance differentiation for the Elantra coupe, Krafcik contends. At least not at first. But given the freedom with which Hyundai's bolting on turbochargers and optimizing other engines for fuel economy, don't rule out some sort of Honda Civic Si-baiting upgrade for the popular Elantra in the near future.
Inside Line says: Hyundai's rise has been meteoric in the everyman market. Now it's setting its sights on becoming more tempting to the performance-oriented buyer.
Add A Comment »
wizard_ says:
07:16 AM, 12/02/2011
http://www.leftlanenews.com/consumer-watchdog-asks-epa-to-evaluate-hyundai-elantra-fuel-economy-claims.html
"Consumer Watchdog requests that the EPA re-test the 2011 and 2012 Elantra models in its own facility, to seek an explanation for the MPG disappointments of so many Elantra buyers,"
tbone85 says:
08:20 PM, 11/17/2011
"Hyundai always had the reputation of making unreliable "disposable" cars that compete on price. "
No, they didn't ALWAYS have that reputation, very few people have made that association with any factual basis over the last 2 generations of their vehicles. For people who WANT to believe that, well they do.
"when they get rid of their 100k warranty, that'll say worlds about reliability."
No, that will say worlds about their REPUTATION for reliability. The fact they offer the warranty says worlds about their belief in their actual reliability performance.
"the frs is going to be awesome, because if finally makes handling a priority, not straight ahead speed."
Supposition on a product that hasn't even reached final production specs. Yep, VERY convincing.
"maybe hyundai is the one needing to play catch up."
The only problem with that statement is that neither of the two companies you mention are actually making a vehicle in the class to compete. In fact, they've both sucked all of the sport out of their entire lineup. Why should anyone play catch up to a vehicle that doesn't even exist?
"you can downplay it all you want, but any car company that doesnt have performance roots always has trouble being truly sporty."
I hope that Toyota and Honda will bring it. However, based on today's actual vehicles, Hyundai is having far less trouble being truly sporty than Mr. T and Mr. H.
scott230 says:
07:10 AM, 11/16/2011
Warranty is important to me since I live pay check to pay check and can not afford unknown expenses at this time. I think buying a Hyundai/Kia is a no brainer especially in these hard times. Also their prices are competitive as all cars depreciate.
alex38 says:
03:01 AM, 11/16/2011
@ eldaino 2
"when they get rid of their 100k warranty, that'll say worlds about reliability. the frs is going to be awesome, because if finally makes handling a priority, not straight ahead speed. didnt the last insideline test put a mazdaspeed 3, a fwd hatchback, as a better 'sports car' than the genesis coupe? yeah...enough said. maybe hyundai is the one needing to play catch up. you can downplay it all you want, but any car company that doesnt have performance roots always has trouble being truly sporty."
where do i begin.. well, lets start with reliability. Just because a car has a shorter warranty, it doesn't mean its less reliable. Audi's have shorter warranty than a Hyundai so it's reliable? In fact, you can make a case of exactly the OPPOSITE. I can say I'm going to give a Hyundai a 50 year bumper-to-bumper warranty because i confident it won't break down. If they made crappy cars, then they'd fold due to all fo the costs with repairing vehicles. But they're not.
Just because Inside line says something, then that's it, it has to be true. The Mazdaspeed3 is a great car but quite a bit different from a Genesis coupe in terms of styling and dynamics. Yes, Hyundai still has to play catch up on many fronts, but in some respects, they have passed their competitors (i think hyundai/kia styling more fresh, more hp with better fuel efficiency with direct injection, safety is top notch, etc..)
You think that a company that doesn't have performance roots has trouble being sporty? Toyota used to made some sporty vehicles for the masses (I say "used to") but they NEVER STARTED OUT with "performance roots". You're just so wrong on so many levels, its borderline ridiculous..
eldaino2 says:
07:14 PM, 11/15/2011
@bestjinjo: their reliability has been 'ok'...nothing to gloat about. so nothing major has happened, big whoop. by your own definition other car makers can do the same, so how is this an edge for hyundai?
when they get rid of their 100k warranty, that'll say worlds about reliability.
and why on earth would toyota need to give a car 250-300hp to make it a celica successor? the highest powered celica was like what, 180hp? what crack are you smoking? and no i'm not talking the supra, because we dont need a supra replacement: that thing was ultra expensive back in its day, and adjusted for inflation, a modern one would be expensive even by toyota standards...and fanboys like you would only complain about price.
the frs is going to be awesome, because if finally makes handling a priority, not straight ahead speed.
didnt the last insideline test put a mazdaspeed 3, a fwd hatchback, as a better 'sports car' than the genesis coupe? yeah...enough said. maybe hyundai is the one needing to play catch up.
you can downplay it all you want, but any car company that doesnt have performance roots always has trouble being truly sporty.
intothewest says:
07:07 PM, 11/15/2011
"For the Genesis Coupe's 3.8-liter V6, power is leaping from the current 283 hp to 350..."
Was there a recalculation in the current V6 engine?? I recalled it at 306 - which is exactly what Hyundausa.com shows as well...
Regardless I guess, 350 should be about perfect. And the front-end is definitely more exciting.
Actually, I'm guessing the 275-hp 4-banger will give the new Toyubaru a good run for the money.
Keep it up Hyundai!!
captobvious says:
06:01 AM, 11/15/2011
Honda was my favourite brand growing up... but Hyundai and Mazda are my new favorites.
Way to go Hyundai! Now please give it telescoping steering!
gillette1 says:
08:53 PM, 11/14/2011
Hyundai reliability has not been an issue for years, better than average for most of their models, far better for some. They are moving on to performance precisely because they have reliable products, and have had for quite some time. Keep up people, or be left behind.
bestjinjo says:
08:46 PM, 11/14/2011
jeremy_c says: "especially those die hard Toyota and Honda followers"
Die-hard car enthusiasts shopping for a sporty coupe aren't buying Hondas or Toyotas. Wake me up when Honda makes a competitive Si model and when Toyota makes anything worthy of the Celica successor with 270-300 hp for $25k.
Hyundai has come a long way in styling and reliability too. Not sure where you have been.
"They are not in a position to compete in the horsepower game at this point. They need to focus on quality and reliability."
Who says? Are Hyundai cars least reliable on the market or something?
Honestly, the reliability myths need to die. If people consider Ford MyTouch and broken cupholders as major reliability problems, you know they have nothing else to complain about. Major reliability issues are broken transmission, a wheel falling off on the highway, engine breaking, etc. Based on "real reliability" problems and not minor things, most of today's modern vehicles are more or less comparable. Today's average reliability car is A LOT more reliable than a car 5-10 years ago.
scottyscooter says:
07:27 PM, 11/14/2011
Wow, if there isn't a significant price increase accompanying this significant power increase then I'm extremely impressed. Way to go Hyundai!