Rhys Millen’s Hyundai Genesis Coupe Drift Car Ready For Hyundai Power

When the Hyundai Genesis Coupe made its Formula Drift debut early last month, the Korean automaker’s first rear-wheel-drive sports car was powered by a Nissan VQ35DE, yanked from the chest cavity of a Nissan 350Z.

It seems that, at the time, Hyundai’s approval for the use of its Lambda V6 in the factory-sponsored drift car had come too late for the team to have it ready for the first round, and so a replacement mill had to be found.

Now, with some time on its hands (and "overnight parts from Japan"? – Ed), the team at Rhys Millen Racing has set to work on tuning the genuine Hyundai heart for the stresses of full-time racing.

While it’ll start life running the standard internals, the team has tuned the Lambda V6 to deliver 358kW (480hp) at 4500rpm and a monstrous 772Nm (570lb-ft) of torque, courtesy of a turbo kit and 9psi of boost.

To help it get through the show, the V6 will be mated to a new upgraded clutch and flywheel setup.

Millen expects to be punching his way around the circuit at Road Atlanta with Hyundai power in Round 2, this coming weekend.

[via Autoblog]