Weight?

What kind of suspension?

DOHC engine architecture?

Cable throttle?

Manual tranny? how many gears?

This could be quite an attractive package if they keep the BS out and put driving based goodies in (think spartan and purpose built like a Lotus Elise).

Wow, that thing looks sleek. and RWD? Lets hope they make it to a 6spd manual tranny. Let us all hope this car weighs in less than a Mustang too, otherwise you lose so much potential due to havin ga bloated curb weight. It has been a while since I sat inside a Hyundai, but for 26 to start for the V6, let's hope the interior quality is up with the ranks of Honda, toyota, and nissan.

wonder what the tuning potential is for the car. can it make 400hp+ n/a? how much work needs to go into the engine to get it to 8000 rpms? is there going to be a factory racer to so its potential on the race track? i mean if you are going to make a car to compete against another, show that it is comparable and not just show some facts on paper.

It resembles the G6 in body shape, but overall looks nice. I'm guessing the 4 cylinder turbo is Hyundai's Beta engine. Or perhaps they are using the 4G63(we can hope). Either way, under $20k msrp for a 4 cylinder rwd coupe is good for a change. The v6 may be a let down, their current v6 engines are practically a generation behind the big three Japanese manufacturers engines. I'd imagine the company wants to shift the cars image to more of Grand Tourer, rather than sporty compact. I'd imagine Hyundai is underestimating the 4 cylinder version though, It doesn't seem like they should have a v6 version if they plan on dropping in their v8 later on(speculation).

It looks like they stole a concept design for a new Toyota Solara. Wow if it will have a durable 215hp 2.0L 4cyl then I may make an upgrade from my 240sx to a Hyundai if it performs properly. I wonder if it will make a good drift car with the proper setup? It sounds like just the car Hyundai needs to get mainstream aftermarket support too.

That car looks pretty much finished...It's a shame if we would have to wait a whole year for it. I see it coming out sooner.

Not that a 300hp V6 isn't a good option, but if they're putting it against the Rustang I would hope it had a V8.

Either way the thing looks pretty good, I was getting a little worried by the Batmobile looking sketch the other day.

Looks very nice! I'd definitely pimp one.

I don't understand why people are wanting a V8. If you build a 6 or even a 4 cyl well, and keep the curb weight down, you won't have a problem competing with the Mustang.

Remember, the power to weight ratio determines acceleration, engine size alone isn't the final answer. You can have a V8, but if your vehicle weighs 5,000 lbs, then you just killed it (not to mention gas guzzler! we have enough of those!). The lighter you make the car, the better chance it has performing well in all avenues (and you can get better fuel economy on top of it!) I hate to bring it up again, but the Lotus Elise gets fuel mileage equivalent to a Civic for all practical purposes, and look at it's performance, all thanks to low curb weight, and fantastic engineering.

I think this car actually looks good. As others have mentioned here, if it has the right equipment it should be a great seller. It looks like Hundai has accurately gauged what young car enthusiasts want.

Regarding one comment about a 4G63 motor, I'm affraid that is pretty unlikely , the power is just too low for it to be a 4G63 even if it was very de-tuned.

I do hope however that the 4 cylinder motor with the turbo proves to be good for tuning since i'd rather have it than a big clunky 3.8L V6 that only makes 300 HP, that's pretty pathetic.

If they were able to keep the weight under control on this car it should be a fun car.

Dan:

I understand power to weight, but practicality also comes into play. Making a car usably big will limit the amount of weight you can save. I would assume with this cars size that it won't be any less than 3000 lbs, so it will need more than a 300hp 3.8 V6 to keep up with the Rustang, 350z, etc.

If you ever ridden in a Lotus you'll understand the practicality side of things, and how driving a golf cart size car won't work for everyone.

Personally I'd be fine with the turbo 4 assuming it's the same motor the Lancer Ralliart is getting and is very tunable, but most of the US would see a V6 compared to a V8 (when comparing to the mustang) and choose the V8 instead. If it's gas mileage they're worried about I doubt they'll even be considering a V6 or a V8.

215hp 2L turbo RWD 2 door for $20k? Sounds sweet. I hope that price doesn't change for Canada (it will probably be about 30% higher, it always is).

Gary:

In understand and agree with your argument stating that to be practical, a car will have to be bigger than an Elise, therefore weighing more.

However, please entertain my rebuttal with the thought of a late 80's early 90's Nissan 240SX hatchback. You can cram plenty into that car, and it was around 2,500lbs. It can be done.

I guess my underlying sentiment through all of this is I would love to see a 240SX replacement, from any manufacturer willing to supply the market with it. RWD, lightweight, respectable power/performance/economy, with hatchback sized cargo ability.

Hmm i'm def no ford or mustang fan at all. But I just dont see myself buying a Hyundai over a Mustang.. Sorry

The turbo-4 could prove to have a lot of potential depending on how close Hyundai has kept the design of the Beta to the old 4G63. You have to remember that Hyundai didn't use to make their own motors, they used Mitsubishi motors in their older cars including the 4G63 and GC4S. Looking at the specifications and deisign of current motors you can see that the Hyundai Beta engine resembles an inverse oriented version of the older 4G63. Even the V6 Delta that powers the current Tiburon is a knockoff of the 6G72 found in 3KGT's.

That being said 215hp is not hard to attain out of a 4G63 given Hyundai's record for being behind the game in respects to technology. If you are comparing the Beta to the current 4G63 from the Evo you have to remember that the Evo motor has many things that allow it to create that ammount of power out of that motor. One of the biggest being the twin scroll 16g turbo. The 4G63's from the old DSM's had a 7.8:1 CR, 14b turbo (manual tranny), restrictive exhaust, restrictive intake, and boost limited to around 8psi. I would imagine that for Hyundai to offer a car for $19k they would need to have a similar price-cutting setup.

The turbo-4 could prove to have a lot of potential depending on how close Hyundai has kept the design of the Beta to the old 4G63. You have to remember that Hyundai didn't use to make their own motors, they used Mitsubishi motors in their older cars including the 4G63 and GC4S. Looking at the specifications and deisign of current motors you can see that the Hyundai Beta engine resembles an inverse oriented version of the older 4G63. Even the V6 Delta that powers the current Tiburon is a knockoff of the 6G72 found in 3KGT's.

That being said 215hp is not hard to attain out of a 4G63 given Hyundai's record for being behind the game in respects to technology. If you are comparing the Beta to the current 4G63 from the Evo you have to remember that the Evo motor has many things that allow it to create that ammount of power out of that motor. One of the biggest being the twin scroll 16g turbo. The 4G63's from the old DSM's had a 7.8:1 CR, 14b turbo (manual tranny), restrictive exhaust, restrictive intake, and boost limited to around 8psi. I would imagine that for Hyundai to offer a car for $19k they would need to have a similar price-cutting setup.

Looks good to me...can't wait to know more about it. As for this comment above:

"That car looks pretty much finished...It's a shame if we would have to wait a whole year for it. I see it coming out sooner."

I suspect that this is one of the reasons they can offer their outstanding warranty and build quality? Fot these reasons alone I'd never consider a Pontiac G6 or a Chrysler Sebring, and between a Mustang V6 and this one, I think Hyundai gets the edge. I'm curious about the v8, but this v6 looks good...

Totally uninspired styling, but who cares? Power and RWD in a affordable package is what people want these days with the world utterly drabbed out by FWD econoboxes built like white goods. Why in the hell else would the Lexus IS sell so damn well?

Dan:

Agreed, the 240SX was a great little car. However the 240 came stock with 15" rims, limited electronics, and little to no sound deadening. I wish someone would get it right as well.

However with all the electronics, 18" rims, insulation, etc, it's getting harder to keep those weights down. Most car enthusiats will agree with your comments, but unfortunately I don't see them being able to pull that off without raising the costs a bit or shrinking it down a good bit.

Even the Civic SI is tipping the scales at 2800lbs now, the new Sentra is closer to, if not over 3000 as well. These numbers don't bode well for a decently sized, low weight, no frills coupe with a V6. The Miata (even though it's a Nissan) is essentially the car that fills the spot of the 240sx now, and is still too small to be considered practical IMO.

Opps, should have said Even though its NOT a Nissan.

On a side note: This site really needs to update to allow edits and replies on comments

LOOKS NICE!!! I'D TAKE ONE!

Ummm... I'd MUCH rather have the Mustang thanks. In 10yrs. or so IF Hyundai/KIA ever reach the level of Honda, or Toyota, then maybe I'd buy one. Not until then though.

You do not hear me saying that I want a certain era in Automobiles back, but remember in the early nineties when compacts weighed in under 3000lbs or just at?

If the V8 for this thing brings the cars weight to 3000lbs flat, then this car is the Toyota Supra all over again (in terms of what will be its street reputability).

Hyundais have a 10 year warranty, There quailty seems to be getting better every year. I would buy this and keep it for 5 years (half way point) then buy another one and in 10 years Hyundai might be to only real car out there...

Nice to look at. But my final decision will depend on my test drive.

if you cross the styling of the new fit and the g37, you get this car.

Allen:

Nah the Supra (MKIV) is a hefty pig around 3,500 lbs.

And the early 90s compacts are more like 2,200 lbs (The EG6 Civic hatches and CRX, etc). The CRX was like 1,700 lbs.

The '92 Civic VX hatch is like 2,094 lbs stock and can be trimmed down to 1,900 lbs and still be streetable. Perfect for a blown B18C laying down 400 WHP on pump gas.

And any car to have a reputation like the Supra would have to have a stout bottom end like the 2JZ; highly unlikely to find forged rods in a Hyundai V8 destined for N/A form in a car made to be affordable. It will be just like a stock LS1 or Mustang; bolt on boost would only be safe for like 6-8 psi with the high compression and powered metal rods.

Reminds me of the RSX and the G6 styling.

Kudos to Hyundai for not making the coupe look hideous.

Nice job Hyundai! The Tiburon had a 6speed tranny, I hope they follow suit with this model. Very sleek styling and probably a great tuner opportunity. If Hyundai can stay within the target asking price, they will have a legimate winner on their hands. Both engine choices could make viable starting platforms for the aftermarket. Personally, I do not want a V8 in it. Keep the weight down and the balance as close to 50/50.

I currently own both a 2000 Elantra and a 2001 Mustang GT, and based on owner experience(quality and durability, not performance of course), it's gonna take a lot of incentive on the dealer's part for me to ever step foot on a Hyundai lot again.

All of those old cars would fail today's crash tests. Not to mention that today's standard equipment weighs more.

Crash tests are only important if you're a poor driver, or drive too close to poor drivers.

The only accident my cars have been in, are when they're parked in the parking lot. I guess parking too close to poor drivers is dangerous too.

I currently own both a 2000 Elantra and a 2001 Mustang GT, and based on owner experience(quality and durability, not performance of course), it's gonna take a lot of incentive on the dealer's part for me to ever step foot on a Hyundai lot again.

Sorry, but the early 2000's were the last crappy Hyundai's available. Their quality has increased greatly.

How's that 01 Stang with with the 1979 Fox platform chassis? ROTFL

Everyone talking about the 4G63, it was dropped by Mitsu fo the 4B11 or something. I'm sure this 2.0l will be good for 350whp, considering the ties between Mitsu and Hyundai.

I'd be willing to bet this doesn't have a live-axel (a la white trash ferrari).

While I'm not one to buy sports car, I must say that Hyundai has come a long way in the past few years. I really think this car will help them even more.

My 07 Sonata runs like a charm, smooth ride, no problems.

Wow! Hyundai may have a winer with this car. I like the styling very much, but the creases along the upper part of the door are over done. I'd prefer a smoother and sleeker look. Pricing seems fair and this car seems like it could be a winner. We are considering a Mustang for our son, but I'd rather buy an Asian car for the quality and value. There aren't too many good two door coupes to choose from so this car could do well. After all, it will compete with the two door Altima and Accord. I really like the two door Accord, but the 2008 coupe is nearly $30,000! The price is just outrageous.

an elise right around 2000 lbs. thats 1 ton. a 2500lbs pound car is underpowered. the new shelby gt500 is almost 4000lbs and that car isnt going to touch it. they are aiming for midway between 3000lbs and 3500lbs mark because that will make the platform big enough for what they want and (hopefully) stiff enough to not warrant any unwanted chassis flex. mustangs have to be a decent enough to for them to want to build something to compete against it.

Agreed. My safety should be in my hands. If I don't want active suspension, abs, multi zone air bags, ect... ect.. then it should be an option. NOT a requirement. Great you take the standard strut design ($40-60$ per strut to replace) and now add active suspension to it (great $150-$250 to replace). Wow at the 75k mark that means almost $2500 in parts. Say $1000 for a clutch, $1000 for suspension, and another $500+ in tires and brakes, and belts. Gee, looks like even durable goods are becoming disposable.

Chrysler Mitsubishi and Hyundai formed a Joint Project called GEMA to consolidate engine design, the basic block is the same for this engine as the new Mitsubishi 4B11T and the 2.0l engines from Chrysler, there is a closely related 2.4l block as well. Mitsubishi has stated that they had a lot of input on the block design and they went over engineered so that it was ready for turbo charging out of the box. I doubt that it will hold up well compared to the 4G63T in terms of raw potential for output, but the 4G63T was special because it could be built to over 1000 hp.

I'll point out that the Mustang wasn't the only car in that showroom. There's also the Civic Si and the Mitsu Eclipse in the photos, so a sampling of low-to-mid 20's price range coupes. It would sell in that range just for being this much prettier than others in that range, including their current Tiburon (just under 20k). The fact that it's rwd and probably genuinely sporty to justify that effort is just already icing on the cake.
I hope it doesn't need a V8, that would mean it's heavy and I don't see how they could make that, and the V8 still under $25k. The V6 should be enough to make it a 350Z competitor. Also, it's Ok that some people wouldn't choose it over the Mustang because it's a Hyundai, because a lot of us have no interest in the Mustang's retro styling.

"Crash tests are only important if you're a poor driver, or drive too close to poor drivers."

No. It does matter because the companies CAN'T SELL THEM.

Regarding the engine, It seems it may end up being a variant of the 4B11(Travis). Hyundai is dropping the Beta series engines and phasing out the Sirius engines for the "World Engine". If this Car gets the World Engine, then there could be some benefits.

The tuner market will always support the Lancer Evo, and this new generation will have shops dedicated to it in time, I'm sure. The first thing to be examined by enthusiasts will usually be the engine, eventually people will want to create stronger, lighter, and more efficient internals or accessories for it. This translate into support for any engine sharing its architecture. Since the World Engine is already used in the Dodge Caliber, and SRT-4 version, there will already be support for this engine when the car debuts. However, looking at the size of the car the weight will be upwards of 2800lbs, which kinda sucks. But hey, the FD RX7 weighed around 2900lbs and it was rather competetive.

Also, to Matt, the 4g63 made 195hp in the Eclipse turbo from 1989 to 1994. Then it made 210hp in the same car from 1995 to 1999. The Lancer Evolution had the same 4g63 during those years and made 250hp to 330hp progressively throughout generations(starting with the Evo1 in 1992). It is a very flexible engine, the most common thing changed through each generation was the turbocharger.

US car companies should take note of the comments on this thread. It reflects what I've seen myself.

While there are lots of die hard, american V8 fans out there, there are also a huge number of very enthusiastic fans of lighter, higher revving sport oriented coupes. A new generation is now buying cars that appreciate a car which can do more than just drag race.

Kudos to Hyundai for, perhaps, producing a car that mates light weight, RWD, engine choices and, perhaps, low cost. If they can deliver on that, they'll sell millions.

were they testing the colors?

I don't get it. Why in the hell would anyone consider the Mustang GT a better/faster car? The GT is a 300hp V8, so it's heavier with the same power, they've never been known to handle without aftermarket parts and a diet, and it sucks gas like crazy. Granted, the Hyundai shouldn't be a 3.8L V6 seeing some cars are putting out that power with a smaller V6 (ie. G35/G37), but it's probably more reliable and it's definitely cheaper. I'm sure they'll have a 6sp manual, I'm sure it'll be light with quality interior (maybe not as many bells and whistles, but hey, it's cheap). Hyundai has come a long way in the last few years.

In the past couple years Hyundai quality has JD Power comparing them to Lexus. An attractive, high quality, 300+HP RWD coupe at Hyundai prices? I'm extremely curious.

@Comparisons with the Mustang:

I am a little mystified that Hyundai would consider the Mustang a direct competitor. It looks like Hyundai has a viable RWD sports car. This car could really be at home on a track with some minor modifications. I hope they stick with just the turbo 4 and a small V6.

The Mustang is probably the best example of a late model pony/muscle car. It is a vastly superior platform than the old Fox platform, but at the end of the day it is still a live axle design. ( a simple, bulletproof design but hampered when it comes to cornering) People buy these cars because they evoke past memories of the glory days of muscle cars.

Hyundai's target market for this car would be buyers of sports coupes like the Eclipse, Civic SI, etc.

Hyundai is absolute shit and with a 4g63 a death trap. if you want a fast turbo car by an evo. youll spend less $$ in the long run and have a etter car all round. These are throw away cars after 4-5 years if they make it that far. As for 20G drive away. do you think it will have all the goodies and be as good as they say at this dirt cheap price for a new car. I doubt it. Hyundai should stick to making skateboards and rollerskate ad leave the perforance car industry to the experts.

Hyundai is absolute shit and with a 4g63 a death trap. if you want a fast turbo car by an evo. youll spend less $$ in the long run and have a etter car all round. These are throw away cars after 4-5 years if they make it that far. As for 20G drive away. do you think it will have all the goodies and be as good as they say at this dirt cheap price for a new car. I doubt it. Hyundai should stick to making skateboards and rollerskate ad leave the perforance car industry to the experts.

ohh it remminds me of the new accord cooupe and the window line of the new citrerion c5 wagon i much prefer the kia kee concept

Jason:

As an FD owner in mid 90's it was only second to a Supra Turbo. Spanking the likes of vettes, NXS, and 300 ZX all day long at the track. You would be hard pressed to make a better suspension for a car and keep the price reasonable. They also came with 4.11 gears which allowed them to perform rather well with only 255HP.

Also a V8 isn’t going weigh substantially more than a V6 say less than 50lbs. So put a V8 in this thing and sell it.

hampered cornering? have you seen the race mustangs with the same suspension as the road cars? obviously they have different spring rates and such, but the mounts and basic components are the same. maybe if you were talking the old 4 link rear-end, but the 3 link with panhard rod makes those cars handle good. in fact steve saleen sells a mustang with a watts link and brings the handling bar even higher. research before you bash.