SEMA 2008: Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis Coupe Unveiled

Related Stories:
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Finally Officially Unveiled in New York with 310HP!

PRESS RELEASE:

BUILDING THE RHYS MILLEN RACING HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2008 – In February, Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) approached Hyundai Motor America with a unique concept to introduce the all-new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to the aftermarket and racing enthusiasts prior to its spring 2009 on-sale date. The RMR-designed "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe called for a vehicle with the visual impact to win awards at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show while boasting sufficient performance to put the driver in the winner's circle the following weekend. Backed by Rhys Millen's reputation both on the track and in the aftermarket, Hyundai delivered its first prototype Genesis Coupe 2.0T to the RMR shop on August 8, allowing just 12 weeks of build time before the doors opened at SEMA in Las Vegas on November 4.

A crew of six RMR employees promptly stripped the car to bare metal. At the same time, the crew began custom-fabricating new aftermarket parts and accessories for the Genesis Coupe which are certain to be among the first available in the aftermarket once Hyundai's newest addition takes to the streets next year.

In the weeks that followed, RMR developed a machine that retains the distinct, bold look of the Genesis Coupe, but adds flair with custom components on the exterior, a radically altered racing-spec interior and serious performance enhancements from under the hood all the way to the pavement.

INTERIOR
The interior of the "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe is unrecognizable from its origins as a well-appointed 2+2 coupe designed with everyday driving in mind. All comfort and convenience features are removed to make way for a custom-fabricated eight-point safety cage and firewall which reinforce the Genesis Coupe's already stiff chassis. By removing the roof, the RMR fabricators welded every aspect of the safety cage to the frame of the car. The braces on the A and B pillars also tie into the strength of the body. The safety cage is required for racing and a single Sparco racing seat further protects the driver in the overhauled cockpit.

CARBON FIBER BODY PANELS

Millen quickly decided to take the already light weight Genesis Coupe and make it even lighter. A second Genesis Coupe was used to construct molds which allowed body panels to be replicated out of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber panels range from 50 percent to 80 percent lighter than the sheet metal they replaced. This weight-saving approach is carried throughout the car without compromising its powerful curves, surface detail and "Z" bodyside line. The hood, deck lid, roof, doors, fenders, front fascia and side skirts are all built out of carbon fiber. For example, a factory Hyundai Genesis Coupe door weighs 68 pounds but modifications made by RMR reduce the door weight to just 8.5 pounds.

The side skirts have functional flat rocker panels with ducts to pull air out from underneath car. A functional splitter on the front fascia and a built-in diffuser create pressure without drag. A rear diffuser with long tunnels keeps the air moving underneath the car. Downforce has been further increased by an APR GTC-500 rear wing that is fully adjustable and was designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The hood is vented to dissipate heat and Aerocatch hood latches are used for safety.

The rear widebody fenders are made out of fiberglass and blend seamlessly into the vehicle design with a creative painting concept.

SUSPENSION

The RMR Genesis Coupe utilizes a KW coilover suspension with two-way adjustable damping technology. Adjustable chrome molly sway bars dial the suspension in further for true track performance. RMR Racing also fabricated adjustable lower control arms.

RMR TURBO KIT

The spirited 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which comes standard on the Genesis Coupe 2.0T is enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger, waistgate and blow-off valve to provide extra horsepower and torque. RMR also designed a custom intake manifold to ensure better engine breathing.

WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES
To ensure that the enhanced power plant translates all the way to road performance, RMR added 18 by 9.5-inch front and 18 by 10.5-inch rear SSR type-F competition lightweight wheels and Bridgestone Potenza soft compound race slicks. The wheels surround the factory Brembo brake calipers which are already ideal for racing.

PAINT SCHEME
The paint scheme is a combination of Hyundai blue, silver and unpainted black carbon fiber with its signature weave pattern. Most of the upper steel body components including rear fender and A and B pillars are painted Hyundai blue. The front fascia is blue and silver with carbon fiber accents. The hood is black and blue. The carbon fiber doors have silver accents and the silver is carried down to the side skirts and into the rear fender.

RMR PARTS
All of the parts for the RMR Genesis Coupe are built with a modular design. A customer could put on all the parts at once or add them one at a time. The carbon fiber decklid, hood, rocker panels, rear fenders, front fascia, front fenders and rear diffuser all have molds and will fit the factory mounts and could be sold in the future.

HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS
• Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports car
• 310-horsepower (est.) from enhanced 3.8-liter V6 with premium fuel
• Standard 220-horsepower (est.) turbocharged, intercooled inline four cylinder with premium fuel
• Genesis Coupe arrives in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model

RHYS MILLEN RACING

R. Millen Motor Sports Sales (RMR) was founded 12 years ago by Rhys Millen to fulfill a huge demand for quality aftermarket products created by the Millen Racing heritage. Similar to motor sport clothing merchandise to a race fan, RMR offers proven race products to street customers primarily based on its motor sports associations. Since its creation, RMR has built itself up become one of the industries most respected tuners for Toyota, Lexus and Mitsubishi. In addition to RMR's excellent relationship with auto manufacturers, the company has custom built many private vehicles for celebrities such as basketball star Dennis Rodman, actor Jason Priestley and rock star Alex Van Halen. RMR has also built cars and worked closely with the producers of the blockbuster hit franchise "The Fast and the Furious."

RMR currently offers more than 100 products that are designed and produced in its facility or private labeled exclusively for RMR. These parts are carefully designed to provide the customer with quick and easy installation instructions with the highest quality. In many cases, its parts have met or exceeded factory specifications allowing dealers to warranty their installation keeping the cars under the factory warranty.