Hyundai Gives the Genesis Great Power

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 9, 2011

Someone at Hyundai thought the 4.6-liter V8 producing 385 hp and hitting 60 MPH in 5.5 seconds in the Genesis sedan was a bit of slouch. So, Hyundai decided to up the ante by introducing the Genesis sedan R-Spec. The R-Spec carries a new 5.0-liter Tau V8 producing 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. The power gets put on the road with a new eight-speed transmission.

The Genesis R-Spec also gets a new "sports-tuned" suspension, larger brakes, recalibrated sport steering, and new transmission programming. The exterior gets new headlights with dark chrome inserts, 19-inch wheels with the option of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Tires, and three color choices; Black Noir, Titanium Gray, and Platinum Metallic. The interior is trimmed with black leather and and an all-black leather steering wheel.

Gallery: Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Live Pictures

Why doesn't Hyundai shoehorn this into the Genesis Coupe? That'd be much more exciting.

Sonata's 274-hp 2.0T mated to the eight-speed would be more than sufficient, too, if they figure out a way to rotate it 90 degrees for Genesis's FR configuration.

Why doesn't Hyundai shoehorn this into the Genesis Coupe? That'd be much more exciting.

Reportedly, the engine compartments of the sedan and coupe are completely different sized, and its unlikely the V8 will ever get installed by the factory.

I was disappointed by that, as well.