Hyundai's well-received Genesis Coupe is entering the 2011 model year in the U.S. with some minor interior refinements, and most importantly, a new hotter model called the "3.8 R-Spec".
Previously available only in conjunction with the 210HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the R-Spec trim level can now be ordered with the 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 306-horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque on regular unleaded, hooked up exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The R-Spec treatment does away with some non-essential comfort features such as automatic headlights, cruise control and certain trim bits adding a track-tuned, stiffer suspension, 19-inch alloys shod in Bridgestone Potenza tires, limited slip differential and Brembo brakes with 13.4-inch front discs and 13.0-inch rear discs. Sportier seats and special badging are also part of the package.
Aside from the addition of the 3.8 R-Spec model to the range, all 2011 Genesis Coupe models benefit from interior improvements including new soft-touch materials on the door panels, center speaker grille, glove box, and lower instrument panel as well as on the steering wheel, cloth-wrapped A-pillars, different finishes on the shift bezel, dashboard knobs and instrument gauge cluster rings.
Hyundai has not yet announced pricing for the 2011 Genesis Coupe.
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2011 GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS
Interior refinements
* New soft-touch, matte-finish surfaces on door panels, center speaker grille, glove box, and lower instrument panel
* New dark metalgrain accents on center stack, door handles, air vent register bezels and steering wheel trim
* Padded door armrests
* Softer, premium steering wheel leather
* Cloth-wrapped A-pillars
* Chrome finish for A/T shift gate bezel and center stack control knobs
* Chrome finish gauge cluster rings
* Rear coat hooks
* Trunk deck lid grab handle
* Enhanced multi-information display screen graphics
* 3.8 R-Spec model added
* Navigation with Fully Automatic Temperature Control now standard on Genesis Coupe 2.0T Premium
* Revised model lineup featuring six flavors of Genesis Coupe: 2.0T, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T R-Spec, 3.8 R-Spec, 3.8 Grand Touring, 3.8 TrackGenesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec
3.8 R-Spec equipment includes:
* 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine with DCVVT delivering 306 hp and a top speed of 149 mph 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
* 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
* Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
* Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)
* Torsen-type limited-slip differential
* Black leather bolsters with red cloth insert seats
* R-Spec badge
* Front camber adjustment bolt (Camber bolts included but not installed. Dealer installation of the camber bolts is optional at the customer's discretion)
* Electronic Stability Control (ESC) w/ Traction Control System (TCS)
* Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) w/ Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
* 4-Wheel disc brakes with Brake Assist
* 6 airbags: Advanced dual front airbags with Occupant Classification System (OCS), front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags
* Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
* Active front head restraints
* Remote keyless entry system
* Multi-information display (MID)
* Fog Lights
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
* AM/FM/XM®/CD/MP3 audio system
* iPod /USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks
* Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
* Bluetooth® hands-free phone system
* Manual air conditioning w/ outside temperature display
* Trip computer
* Power windows with auto-down/up
* Power Door Locks and Outside mirrors
* Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec
* To reduce cost, weight, and complexity, the R-Spec eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as automatic headlights, cruise control and some chrome/metalgrain interior accents
