Hyundai Genesis Coupe Is A "Simply Smoking" Sales Success

2009-genesis-coupe-grand-touring
Mar 16, 2009
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Once every so often a car arrives on the scene that generates a considerable stir, even before the first examples have hit the dealer lots. The Hyundai Genesis is one such car.

In the USA, the Genesis Coupe has been selling like sunscreen at a Nevada nudist resort. With a choice of either a 156kW (209hp) 2.0 litre turbo-four or the 231kW  (310hp) 3.8 litre V6 and an early campaign that showcased plenty of Hyundai Genesis Coupe drift-like shenanigans, it’s not hard to see why.

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Hyundai USA CEO John Krafcik has described initial sales of the company's first rear-wheel-drive coupe as “simply smoking”.

Krafic said that initial sales of the Coupe have outperformed those of the Genesis sedan, despite the car being launched with a much smaller advertising budget.

With pricing for the Genesis Coupe starting at USD$22,000 (AUD$33,600) for the 2.0 litre and USD$25,000 (AUD $38,200) for the V6, it’s not hard to see where some of that success stems from.

It's not just boy-racers on a budget falling for Hyundai’s star two-door, though, with half of the orders placed so far being for the higher-spec Grand Touring model.

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So far there is no official word on when, or even if, the Genesis Coupe will land in Australia. Considering a hot-looking lime green V6 coupe took centre stage on the Hyundai stand at the Melbourne Motor Show recently, you can bet it's high on Hyundai Australia’s wish list.

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Comments

  • Luke Skywalker [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I'm not really feeling any stir of emotion about this car. Am I missing something here? Should I really be excited about it? Maybe it's the front end (which I think looks ugly/boring). Or perhaps it's just the badge and my prejudices.
  • Wardski [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Ugly - yes. Good bang for your buck - yes.

    It has basically the same power to weight ratio attributes as a Holden SS Ute, and yet it sports a sunroof and a back seat.

    Regardless of the H symbol on the front, I think we're going to have to accept that while Hyundai has produced some rubbish cars in the past, people have still bought em because they've offered bang for your buck alternatives to the Japanese manufacturers, and thats why they're around today.

    The i30 has been a huge success, so why can't the Genesis?

    IMO, Hyundai has travelled a very similar path to Mazda. Started with $hit cars, then 15 years later produced brilliance with the 3 series, and other models (such as the RX-8, CX-7 & CX-9 inclusive).

    Mazda's time is now over, and its Hyundai's go at some good lovin.
  • Love GTR [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I agree, it is ugly.
  • GrahamB [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Ugly? Hyundai have done a great job with the sheet metal. I'd like to see your idea of a beautifully designed car? Ugly cars usually don't have terrific sales figures, nor are they lauded for their looks by long established motoring journalists.
    • Luke Skywalker [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      Yeah, well we all have our own ideas about what looks good and what doesn't, don't we? And that's a good thing I think, or else we'd all be driving around in Toyota Corolla's. Speaking of which - there's an ugly car that has terrific sales figures! (or had lol)
  • Bavarian Missile (.)(.) [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Hyundai have picked up the ball of success and are running with it.This will be a huge success Hyundai just need to invest a few more dollars in the right hand hook cars so we can eat them up !

    Can see plenty of old Silly car owners investing dollars in this...............cheap grunt ? I hope so!
  • Dal [reply]
    11 months ago 0 points
    I sum up the Genesis' styling as highly eccentric. The most glaring sore to the automobile is the absurd window line. The goofy little peak or shall I say gable where the end edge of the rear side window meets the front end edge of the passenger window. It's just plain annoying! Also the eccentric, sharp, double body side creases (one on top of each other) makes NO sense whatsoever. The rear end looks like a Toyota Solara mixed with a Mazda RX-8. The front end looks as though someone slammed the hood with too much force yielding to a distorted, warped grin. Oh well, as eccentric as the Hyundai may look, at least it's not a banal idea like Dodge's new Challenger. Now that my folks is just one dumb idea!
  • Diz [reply]
    11 months ago 0 points
    Definitely pretty. Looks a bit like a G37 Coupoe from Nissan.

    A $33,000 230kw v6? Suddenly m 350z doesn't look like such great value. Hopefully the ride is more 'comfort' than 'sports'.

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