Friday, June 8, 2012

In the driveway: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

Every now and then we step out of the traditional sub/compact segment. This is one of those times, and boy is it fun.

Behold the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track, all 345 horsepower of it. Technically, the EPA actually calls the Hyundai Genesis Coupe a subcompact—works for me. I love the revised front end, the big-ass Brembo brakes, and the snarl of the exhaust. Unfortunately it's saddled with the automatic. All hope isn't lost; it's the company's new eight-speed (no, that's not a typo) hooked up to the sweet 3.8-liter mill and directing power to the rear wheels. It does have manual shifting abilities thanks to paddle shifters.

Initial impressions: Oh so fun, even for an automatic. Great power, great brakes, great handling. Fuel economy is ... who cares. I haven't bothered to look. All I know so far is that it has got gobs of thrust, especially considering most vehicles we review here have under 150 hp. It feels very solid, and I think it looks great. The fuel bill for this one might be higher than most, but you know what? I don't care.

Stay Tuned.

6 comments:

adamaoc said...

Man, I own the 2010 Gen Coupe 3.8 GT and I can not wait to drive this car!
I drove the 2013 2.0t and was disappointed only with the manual transmission and gear-shifter... the new 3.8 matched up with the 8-speed auto might be the way to go with this car...

Can't wait to read what you think!

Andy Lilienthal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Is that a SUBCOMPACT?

Andy Lilienthal said...

According to the EPA it is.

Duke said...

I've been impressed with Hyundai's modern manumatics. With that said, how does this thing deal with the 8 speed in auto mode? My first guess with it, as it is with the Chrysler 8 cog model, is that there is no way in hell it can possibly determine the right gear to select. I guess it's the reputation (and actual fact) that most automatic transmissions simply can't determine the proper gear. That's surely solved by the "manual" option but I'm very curious how it manages in dummy mode.

rubicon4wheeler said...

Really? An automatic? In a sports car?

Somebody's going to Hell for that!