2008 NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Has Hyundai Found a New Niche' With The Genesis Coupe?

If you have been watching Hyundai over the last few years, you probably have noticed they are using a strangely familiar marketing strategy in the American market.  Move after move, and stroke after stroke, the strategy falls eerily close to the all domineering strategy that Toyota used in the late 90’s to gain dominance.  This in itself may not a bad thing, after all, if you want to be successful, you should embody the success of the very best.

But those of us more in the “know”, also realize that what is old, can be new again.  Like for instance the 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupe shown below.  Set to have an official debut a bit later this week at the New York Auto Show, these leaked photos magically appeared on the company website.

Now I can’t help and wonder.  Since Hyundai is using the old Toyota playbook, are they going to be able to capitalize of a few of Toyotas missteps along the way? 

For instance the Genesis coupe below would be dead on competition for a Toyota Celica. Well sort, of since the Celica was discontinued a few years back.  Even better may be a Hyundai version of the MR2 two seater.  Both of these entries could enter the market, and gain a leg up in the gap of toyota's lineup.

Hey stranger things have happened, but it seems to me that the market for these types of cars is still hot, And by filling these gaps Hyundai may have found a way to breathe life into a brand, that until now was just as straight laced and frankly predictable as many others.

mpls - 3/17/2008 11:00:32 AM

-3 Boost

Looks very Toyota

Auto_expert - 3/17/2008 12:09:37 PM

+4 Boost

The rear end reminds me of a Toyota Solara. But, when I look at front I can't help but think that their designers were looking at a Maserati GranTurismo. Obviously, this doesn't approach that level. But there are cues, even in the back.

Pics of the GranTurismo here:
www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2007-Maserati-GranTurismo.htm

M35MT - 3/18/2008 7:39:35 AM

+1 Boost

Looks like a G37 mated with an IS350.

rudeboiM3 - 3/17/2008 11:23:31 AM

+6 Boost

g35ish....

Whelan - 3/17/2008 11:28:57 AM

+1 Boost

I Toyota Celica or MR2 competitor. I would put this more in the range of the Nissan Z/G coupe. The Celica was essentially a 2 door Corolla for awhile, used the same base and GTS motor as in the Corolla S and XRS (1.8L 1zz and 1.8L 2zz with lift). So you had the same motor and same tranny as well. That would equate to the Hyundai Tiburon being a competitor. Not this.

EL34 - 3/17/2008 11:34:57 AM

-5 Boost

Looks typical :-)

KZ258 - 3/17/2008 11:43:14 AM

+7 Boost

the G37 definitely inspired this car

mini22 - 3/17/2008 11:52:35 AM

+2 Boost

Being RWD and having over 200 HP for the base turbo 4 cylinder model it would fall in between the Celica and Supra. The 3.8 V6 with over 300HP would have been competition for the Supra Turbo.

Spectator - 3/17/2008 12:13:39 PM

+3 Boost

Agree.

Comparing this car to a celica is like comparing apples and oranges. There is virtually no commonality between the two vehicles.

How you compare a non turbo "180hp"...cough,cough...4 cylindar FWD; with a 200+ hp turbo 4/300hp V6 RWD coupe is beyond me.

I wouldn't go as far as saying a 300hp non turbo V6 would be close to a Supra, however I would put it next to the G37/350Z in marketing niche.

Maybe the twin turbo V6 Hyundai is hinting at will be a Supra competitor. Hell for that matter it might put down number that could scare a whole bunch of manufacturers. All hypothetical however (as PlanB stated)until we see what it does when the rubber meets the road.

I am however extremly happy at what they kept from the concept car (some of the winter testing pictures had me scared for a second). The concept was extremly good looking and hyundai could have made it alot less (think ford mustang) however I do belive the captured the essence of the original design.

+1 for Hyundai

PlanB - 3/17/2008 11:53:21 AM

+5 Boost

This car is hardly a niche model. It has plenty of competitors - the Mustang, Camaro(due early next year) and 350Z naming a few. The single biggest question mark with this car though is how well will it perform against those competitors. On paper, it seems as though it will do very well but only an actual test will have the answer.

07G35J - 3/17/2008 11:57:50 AM

+3 Boost

Looks like a re-done Tiburon. I suppose this one is bigger, isn't it?

Agent009 - 3/17/2008 12:34:34 PM

0 Boost

Details will be released on Wednesday

drew630 - 3/17/2008 12:55:07 PM

+2 Boost

I don't like the front-end... just doesn't look right to me. The interior looks a lot like the new CTS too.

Chip - 3/17/2008 2:00:20 PM

+4 Boost

Thats it. I was trying to figure out which cars interior this resembled and thats it...the CTS. Everything from the center stack & the shape of the dash vents.

But its the cheap version. The CTS interior looks much nicer and seems to have many automakers looking to replicate it.

Off Topic, but the Navigation System & Audio Interface on the new CTS destroys my iDrive in terms of user friendliness, features, layout & graphics. Its quite amazing actually.

Chip - 3/17/2008 2:01:58 PM

+1 Boost

And oh yeah, this car should be called a Hyundai Tiburon.

PerformanceGuy - 3/17/2008 1:25:46 PM

+1 Boost

Looks very similar to the Altima Coupe. It will be good competition for that and the 350Z.

montyz81 - 3/17/2008 2:05:22 PM

+1 Boost

depends. The 370Z will have a 333hp motor and a 7speed automatic.

pushrod27 - 3/17/2008 2:00:47 PM

+2 Boost

who cares about some generic-lookoing coupe with a Hyundai badge in the grill? it's hideous.

montyz81 - 3/17/2008 2:05:56 PM

+2 Boost

I agree, it is very generic looking

lexusis350 - 3/17/2008 2:32:30 PM

+1 Boost

This car is ridiculous. Stolen designs from other brands are all fused together to make an ugly vehicle. Hyundai needs to get an original idea, and quick. Otherwise they'll come out with more crap like this.

BimmerFan - 3/17/2008 2:36:03 PM

+1 Boost

Y u C k .

SteveL - 3/17/2008 2:58:18 PM

-1 Boost

O M G! Shut up about these piece of crap Hyundai’s. Auto Spies is turning into one big commercial for this terrible brand. Go out and get some real auto stories.

Agent009 - 3/17/2008 3:36:28 PM

+3 Boost

terrible brand? better check your facts, most of the big surveys show them almost on par with Toyota, and far better back from the warranty perspective.

richard112360 - 3/17/2008 3:51:20 PM

+2 Boost

Terrible brand...have you seen the latest CR reliability
ratings for Mercedes Benz, Audi, BMW 5,7 x5 series, LandRover.....All were in the dumps.

aeyjay - 3/17/2008 5:37:51 PM

+2 Boost

I don't see this car as the coupe version of the Genesis sedan. In my opinion, Hyundai is just introducing the Genesis brand to the U.S. in a subtle way. I wouldn't be surprised if an SUV comes out by the end of this year with the name Genesis. It will be a marketing and branding strategy to see all of these Hyundai vehicles driving around with the Genesis name on the back. Once people start talking enough (along with Hyundai's ad campaign), Hyundai will probably then be able to announce the official Genesis brand and give each vehicle their own names/numerals etc.

answer - 3/17/2008 5:45:33 PM

+1 Boost

There is not enough info. for me to decide yet.

But with a "Genesis" coupe I was hoping for something like the old Acura Legend coupe.

Maybe a different color and the full specs will make it more appealing.

carnuts - 3/17/2008 7:01:10 PM

0 Boost

This thing will be hot for a whole 2 minutes, like the Scion.

tattedtwice - 3/17/2008 7:03:13 PM

+2 Boost

For people who want a RWD 2+2, but think the mustang, challenger and camaro are too retro, the RX8 too thirsty and underpowered, the g37 and 3'er too expensive, this car is the perfect choice. Since SOME people are able to remove their heads from their rears and look past a badge, I predict it'll be a success and maybe even spawn some direct competitors.

vdiv - 3/17/2008 8:55:23 PM

+1 Boost

Would love it if it is a hatchback instead :)

Unfortunately most posts here are right, this is a copy and offers little that is original.

kdawg - 3/17/2008 11:47:15 PM

+3 Boost

Not sure why everyone is so against this car just because it is a Hyundai. I'm just happy that there is another 300hp+ sports car available in the US market. Keep the competition coming in this segment!

Agent63 - 3/18/2008 7:47:25 AM

+1 Boost

I think it's a good effort on Hyundai's part. This looks like a car that can truly compete against it's rivals. For the first time Hyundai shows they can make a half-decent looking car.

However they are years behind the major automakers but just like Toyota they had to prove themselves. Just like how Nissan and Honda are as well.

snatchandgrab - 3/18/2008 9:55:43 AM

0 Boost

I'm not a Hyundai fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I think it looks pretty good. It looks like the Nissan Altima/Honda Accord/Scion/Lexus IS mixed all up in a blender.

M53R - 3/18/2008 1:40:18 PM

0 Boost

Where have I seen such a spoiler? In the BMW Z4.. check it out!

dodgedart - 3/20/2008 6:06:32 PM

+1 Boost

This will make a great highway patrol pursuit car, the genesis sedan should be a good replacement for the LTD.