Hyundai Releases Pricing for its 2011 Genesis Coupe Lineup, Including New 3.8 R-Spec

Hyundai has decided it's time to share its 2011 Genesis Coupe pricing with the masses. With a few mild upgrades for 2011, including more softness on the inside, the Genesis Coupe lineup gains some extra cred in the form of a new entry-level R-Spec 3.8.

The R-Spec 3.8 comes equipped with 306-horsepower V6 connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox, and its suspension has been "sport-tuned" to handle putting its 266 lb-ft to the ground through the rear wheels. For all the extra specs, check out our previous post here. If you're not keen on that, all you need to know is that it's the cheapest V6 rear-wheel drive Hyundai option out there and has lost 68 pounds of flab in getting to that point.

According to Hyundai, the base V6 model can also be optioned with dealer-installed front camber-adjustment bolts and only be available in white, black, yellow, and red.

The 3.8 R-Spec joins the middle of the lineup as the new entry-level V6 model, starting at $26,750 (about €20,800). For comparison, the base 2011 Genesis Coupe with a 6-speed and a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder will start at $22,250 (around €17,300), and the top-end 3.8 Track model with an automatic begins adding options at $32,250.

By Phil Alex

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Standard and Optional Features

2.0T
The Genesis Coupe 2.0T is priced at $22,250, excluding $800 freight, and includes the following standard features:

• 2.0L Turbo with 210 horsepower
• 6-speed manual transmission
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control
• Anti-locking Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and 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
• 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires
• Manual air conditioning w/ outside temperature display
• AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system w/6 Speakers
• Metalgrain and chrome interior accents
• iPod/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks
• Sport-tuned suspension with front strut brace
• Black cloth seats
• Driver's lumbar support
• Trip computer
• Leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and shift knob
• Power windows, door locks and mirrors
• Remote keyless entry system w/alarm
• Steering-wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls
• Auto light control
• Bluetooth hands-free connectivity
• Solar glass

2.0T Option
Automatic Transmission ($1,250 MSRP)

2.0T R-Spec
Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec is priced at $24,500, excluding $800 freight and offers all the features of the 2.0T trim plus the following:

• 19-inch alloy wheels with summer tires (not for use in snow/ice)
• Brembo braking system
• Track-tuned suspension
• Limited-slip differential
• Black leather bolster / red cloth insert seats
• R-Spec badge
• Front camber adjustment bolt (dealer installation required)
• DELETES: Auto light control
• DELETES: Cruise control
• DELETES: Metalgrain and chrome interior accents

2.0T Premium
The Genesis Coupe 2.0T Premium starts at $26,750, excluding $720 freight, and offers all the features of the 2.0T trim plus the following:

• 5-speed automatic transmission
• Power driver's seat
• Infinity AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 Premium audio system w/ subwoofer and external amplifier
• Proximity Key with push-button start
• Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink and compass
• Power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof
• Touch-screen navigation system with multi-gauge display
• Fully-automatic temperature control (FATC)

Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec
The Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec is priced at $26,750, excluding $800 freight, and offers the following standard features:

• 3.8-liter DOHC V6 with 306 horsepower
• 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
• 19-inch alloy wheels with summer tires (not for use in snow/ice)
• Brembo braking system
• Track-tuned suspension
• Limited-slip differential
• Black leather bolster / red cloth insert seats
• R-Spec badge
• Front camber adjustment bolt (dealer installation required)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)and 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
• Fog lights
• Leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and shift knob
• AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system w/6 Speakers
• 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, door locks and mirrors
• Solar glass
• Driver's lumbar support

3.8 Grand Touring
Genesis Coupe 3.8 Grand Touring is priced at $29,750, excluding $800 freight and offers all the features of the 3.8 R-Spec trim plus the following:

• ZF 6-Speed Automatic Transmission w/ Paddle-shift
• Unique black or brown leather seating surfaces
• Sport-tuned suspension with front strut brace
• 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires
• Fully-Automatic Temperature Control (FATC)
• Power driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Infinity AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 Premium audio system w/ subwoofer and external amplifier
• Touch-screen navigation system with multi-gauge display
• Proximity key with push-button start
• Backup warning system
• Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink and compass
• Dual power heated body color mirrors with turn signal indicators
• Power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof
• Auto light control
• Cruise control
• Metal grain and chrome interior accents
• Chrome front fascia accents
• DELETES: 19-inch alloy wheels with summer tires
• DELETES: Brembo braking system
• DELETES: Limited-slip differential
• DELETES: R-Spec badge
• DELETES: Front camber adjustment bolt
• DELETES: Track-tuned suspension

3.8 Track
The Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track starts at $30,750, excluding $800 freight, and offers all the features of the 3.8 Grand Touring plus the following:

• Black leather seating surfaces
• 19-inch alloy wheels with summer tires (not for use in snow/ice)
• Brembo braking system
• Track-tuned suspension
• Limited-slip differential
• Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights
• Aluminum pedals
• Aero wiper blades
• Rear spoiler
• DELETES: Chrome front fascia accents
• DELETES: Backup warning system

3.8 Track Option
Automatic Transmission ($1,500 MSRP)

Hyundai Evaluating the Creation of a Separate Genesis Brand to Compete with Lexus, May Build a BMW 3-Series Rival

If you were wondering what's next on the Hyundai and Kia Group's agenda of world domination, the answer is the addition of a third brand to the firm's portfolio to compete head on with Japan's Lexus and Infiniti, and possibly even Germany's finest, including BMW and Audi.

The luxury arm would most likely be called Genesis and include the South Korean firm's current rear-wheel drive offerings such as the Genesis Sedan and Coupe, plus the soon-to-be-launched onto the American market, Lexus LS-rivaling Equus.

The automaker, which saw its U.S. market share increase by an overly impressive 50 per cent in the past two years, would further enhance the range of the Genesis brand with a compact sports saloon in the likes of BMW's best-selling model, the 3-Series, and a crossover utility vehicle to compete with the Lexus RX 350.

The creation of the luxury arm is more than just a thought as John Krafcik, president of Hyundai Motor America, told The Wall Street Journal that the company has two branding scenarios under consideration.

The first and most likely to happen would be for Hyundai to launch the Genesis as a sub-brand and sell the cars in separate parts of its own showrooms. The other is to follow in the footsteps of Lexus and launch the brand into separate dealerships. One third option would be for the company to develop the aforementioned sedan and SUV models but keep the Hyundai branding for the time being.

"One of the keys to this plan is how well the Equus does. We don't need to make a decision for some time", Mr. Krafcik said on the branding question during an interview with journalists.

While Hyundai remains open to all options, Mr. Krafcik said that he is most concerned about launching a spin-off brand due to the costs related to the creation of a new network of dealers and that the company would need to make an additional $6,000 in revenue per each car sold by the outlets.

There appears to be a lot of enthusiasm among Hyundai dealers who are almost certain about the creation of the Genesis brand.

"The dealers are excited about the Equus, and it being the lynch pin for this Genesis brand," said Scott Fink, an owner of two Hyundai dealerships in Florida. "We feel like we can do what others have been unable to do. We think we can sell a luxury brand within the house of the mainstream brand."