SPIED! Early Stage Hyundai Genesis Coupe Prototype CAUGHT! WHO Should It Put In The Crosshairs? Camaro/Mustang? Golf GTI?

Hyundai is a pretty remarkable company. It went from producing completely awful appliances that were essentially a dishwasher with four small wheels to building what we feel are arguably the best in class vehicles for the entry-level and mid-size classes.

And how can anyone forget the luxurious Genesis sedan that stole market share from the likes of Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz?

One area the company can't seem to earn respect is with its sportier offerings. They just don't gain traction. Sure, you'll see a Genesis coupe now and again, or you'll spot a Veloster parked on the street but they're not common occurrences.

Now, for the first time, we're seeing a developmental mule being given a run through the snow abroad. While it may have the current-gen Genesis coupe's body over the chassis, it's very clear from the spacing of the wheels/tires in the wheel wells that it doesn't add up. That's an all-new chassis underneath.

While it clearly is equipped with an intercooler, and obviously the wheelbase will grow in size, I think we should ask an important question: WHO should Hyundai be targeting with this model? Realistically, it's always gone up against the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, but I think it also was cross shopped with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI crowd due to its modability via its forced induction motor.

What say YOU, Spies?

It doesn't need to OWN the market just yet, it just needs a bigger bite of the apple to make it more competitive.

**For the FULL collection of Hyundai Genesis coupe spy shots, click "Read Article" below!

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MDarringer - 3/8/2015 6:35:38 PM

-5 Boost

Hyundai aimed the Genesis Coupe very poorly last time. They aimed at the Infiniti G37 coupe (now the Q60?) which is a TINY market when they should have (1) aimed at the Mustang and (2) beaten the hachi roku to the market by several years.

The Genesis Coupe--like the Tiburon before it--has a small, but dedicated base of tuner guys. They should have played to that crowd MUCH more.

This time, Hyundai, aim a 2.0T at the GT86, a V6 at value pony car segment, and a V8 at the Mustang GT/Camaro SS. Follow that with a convertible. THAT is a business case.

The next Genesis Coupe needs a name like Tiburon. It needs "gotta have" styling. It needs aggressive marketing.

Had they done a V8 last time and done a Korean pony car, it would have been brilliant marketing to have had commercials 100% in Korean except for the liberal use of the word "Mustang" set in Hyundai's "Pony Car Skunk Works" (with Korean writing under it) and with a sense of humor declared their intent, but Hyundai has idiots running their marketing campaign.

No imagination.

The 2.0T and the V6 are surprisingly GOOD already--not better than a stick axle Mustang which handled way better than it had a right too--but not bad.

Hyundai errs too much toward stiffness without good roll control.

In a straight line, the Genesis Coupe feels taut, but toss it into a corner and the base Sonata comfort-o-matic setting shows up and scrubs speed. That can be fixed with aftermarket parts which IRONICALLY control roll with a passion while slightly SOFTENING the damping.

skytop - 3/8/2015 8:06:38 PM

+5 Boost

It's much easier for the Koreans to reverse engineer and copy the designs of the German cars than create the cars themselves.

1fstmach - 3/8/2015 11:43:56 PM

+1 Boost

^ Well now they really won't need to they hired a BMW ///M boss recently, where do you think he will come into play?

jtz7 - 3/9/2015 12:59:22 PM

-3 Boost

"It's much easier for the Koreans to reverse engineer and copy the designs of the German cars than create the cars themselves."

Is that why Suzuki, is gone and Mitsubishi is still here? Because the Lancer looks like an Audi? Hmmmmm.

mini22 - 3/9/2015 1:48:33 AM

+1 Boost

The Koreans have not yet made through the full learning curve on ride versus handling yet. The first generation Genesis (including mid term refresh)had a too firm ride with yet too much body roll. The new generation Genesis coupe should make a significant improvement on this score. Looks like with a longer wheelbase they will be going after Mustang and Camaro. Question is will they stuff the V8 into it or leave the V6 and turbo 4? after market parts should enhance already decent handling, not have the responsibility to transform handling from bad to good.

HughJass - 3/9/2015 11:04:38 AM

+5 Boost

Clearly Aston Martin is in the crosshairs.

No coupe market is big, even the Mustang. Don't see the point of it other than to say they can copy too.

jtz7 - 3/9/2015 1:00:47 PM

-3 Boost

"Clearly Aston Martin is in the crosshairs.

No coupe market is big, even the Mustang. Don't see the point of it other than to say they can copy too."

Copy too? That's for damn sure. Mazda CX-5, Infinti EX and 2009 Impreza hatch hint greenhouses.