South Korean carmaker Hyundai is doing everything it can to avoid relying on low prices as its primary selling point and is about to push hard on the sports coupe market with the Genesis Coupe. The Genesis went on sale in its home market in late 2008 and entered the US fray shortly afterwards.

Although the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is built on the same platform as the semi-luxury Genesis sedan the two cars are distinctly different. Indeed the coupe does share much of its wedge-shaped styling with the outgoing Hyundai Tiburon but is larger in all dimensions.

But the most important difference is that while Tiburon talked the talk, Hyundai Genesis also walks the walk. First up, it comes with rear-wheel drive, an essential feature for any serious performance car with its superior weight distribution, greater off-the-line traction and subsequent better handling and steering.
Secondly, the Genesis has a 3.8-litre V6 228 kW engine (up from the Tiburon’s 123 kW 2.7-litre) as well as the option of a 158 kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four. Maximum torque figures are 356 Nm and 294 Nm respectively.

Both engines are mated to six-speed manual gearboxes, the turbo has an optional five-speed automatic, the V6 a six-speed ZF auto.

The V6 model, badged as the 380GT, was our test car during a half-day drive to the north-east of Seoul. Interior space is fine, although its best considered as a 2+2 as there’s limited rear space. The seats are firm but comfortable with strong side bolsters. Instruments and gauges are well-positioned and functional.

Unfortunately a lot of our road trip involved congested city or freeway driving, but there was a good section of narrow, winding roads where we were able to push the sporty Hyundai along.

There’s a nice sporty burble to the engine and performance to match with sharp take-off acceleration Genesis is nicely balanced through corners. The sport-tuned MacPherson strut dual-link suspension provides the sort of feel that driving enthusiasts’ require while the Brembo brakes gripped hard when required to do so.

Hyundai quotes an “under six seconds” time for the zero to 100 km/h sprint, but we weren’t in a position to confirm this, the engine certainly felt quick.

Also on offer is an uprated track version called the Genesis R-Spec that includes 19-inch alloys, larger Brembos and tighter suspension.

Gearchanges from the ZF auto aren’t especially fast but they are smooth. Paddle shifts weren’t fitted to our test car but have been added to the recently-released 2010 upgraded model.

Being a Hyundai the list of standard features is long. As a guide, the entry-level US model comes with front, side and curtain airbags, active front head restraints, electronic stability program, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring and USB/iPod/Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel audio controls. Higher-specced models add a rear spoiler, climate control air, fog lamps, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, black leather bolsters with red cloth inserts and aluminium pedals.

So can the Genesis Coupe make its mark on the performance car market? There’s every chance that it can because, unlike other market segments where brand status is paramount, sports car buyers are more open-minded and willing to play the field.

The bad news for potential Australian buyers is that the Genesis is only built with left-hand drive and Hyundai has no plans to add right-hand drive during the life of the current model. Meaning that we’ll have to wait for at least two years to see this exciting Hyundai sports car Downunder. Fascinatingly, there’s already a Facebook page called “Hyundai – Bring The Genesis Coupe To Australia” with 53 members so far. That’s the Aussie spirit!