Hyundai has been one of the few companies keeping us busy at the Chicago Auto Show. Besides showing the Rhys Millen drift car and announcing pricing for the Genesis Coupe, the automaker trotted out the R-spec enthusiast model.

While the car they brought to the show is basically a concept, the R-Spec package will be available through dealers and will give performance junkies more in some areas and less in others. The full list of equipment is in the press release, but the highlights are a 210-hp turbo'd inline-four that returns 30 mpg and a top speed of 137 mph. Available only with the six-speed manual, it comes with stability control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, 19-inch wheels, Brembos, a Torsen limited-slip differential, a beefier suspension and summer-only Potenzas. To reduce cost and weight, the R-Spec doesn't include Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. Basically, the R-spec is packing all the heavy-hitting hardware from the Track model and ditches the frippery that drivers and customizers aren't interested in.

The Genesis Coupe R-Spec will be available mid-2010 with a base price of $23,750, or $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model. That should allow a lot of extra cash for some tuner bits. Besides the performance tweaks, the R-Spec will only be available in three colors: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. Good names, good colors, good kit and a good price. We're sold.

PRESS RELEASE

Hyundai Debuts a HIGH–PERFOMANCE BLANK canvas for tuners: Genesis Coupe R-Spec

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2009 – When the colors of your new turbocharged rear-wheel-drive sport coupe are named after international racing circuits, you'd better have the performance and confidence to back it up. Now, Hyundai is upping the ante by announcing an R-Spec version of the all-new 2010 Genesis Coupe, designed to appeal to true enthusiasts who want a low starting price and the ability to tune their car to their own specifications. R-Spec will be available as a mid-2010 model year introduction.

R-Spec provides genuine track-readiness in an affordable model. The R-Spec adds core performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as: Track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance summer tires, Brembo® braking system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and R-Spec badging. To further reduce cost and weight, it also eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as: Bluetooth®, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. The Genesis Coupe R-Spec will be priced at $23,750 and $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades. Appropriately, the R-Spec will be available in three performance oriented exteriors colors: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red.

R-Spec equipment includes:

* 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210-hp, an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph
* 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
* Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist
* 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
* Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
* Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)
* Torsen-type limited-slip differential
* R-Spec badging
* Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
* Tire Pressure Monitoring System
* Front, side, side air curtain air bags
* Active front head restraints
* Driver's lumbar support
* Air conditioning
* Remote keyless entry system
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
* Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors
* AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers
* iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity
* Projector beam headlamps
* Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)
* Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec

Although the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is offered with an optional V6, it's likely that the turbocharged 2.0T version is destined to be the more popular choice. It's less expensive and lighter, plus it's got a happy spinny thing under the hood known as a turbo. And when it comes to tuning potential, a turbo is hard to beat.

We tested a bone stock Genesis Coupe 2.0T on MD Automotive's Dynojet chassis dyno located in Westminster, CA. Hyundai says its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generates 210 hp and 223 lb-ft of torque at the flywheel, and like most factory ratings for turbo cars, those numbers are a bit on the conservative side.


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Peak torque arrives at 2500 rpm and then peters out all the way to redline. Clearly, Hyundai's priority in crafting this type of power delivery was to ensure the Genesis Coupe 2.0T felt responsive around town.

This run was performed in fourth gear. Third gear produced a lower peak torque value since the engine would "outrun" the turbo--the engine revved through 2500 rpm quicker than the turbo could provide the requisite boost.

Here's something to help prop up that torque curve at higher engine speeds. When we were strapping the car down to the dyno rollers, we saw this:



As if the Genesis 2.0T's two catalysts bricks and dual mufflers weren't providing enough exhaust back-pressure, the company's engineers went ahead and smashed the exhaust down for good measure. Okay, it's that way to provide miles of clearance for the chassis brace underneath, but that it further reduces dangerous horsepower is like a gimmie for tuners.

Update 20090309: It seems we got some details wrong. Pointed out by JGP at the AutoBlog comments, and according to this article on Wikipedia, Hyundai was the company that did the initial design on the engine, who then provided the engine to Mitsubishi, who then modified the engine to their specs. Euclid at NASIOC also mentioned that the 4B11 is a Mitsubishi designation, and that the only thing these blocks share are a common base design. As stated before, Hyundai did the initial engine design, which they then shared with Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi then modified their design to work in their cars. It should be that the new Evo X 4B11T and the Ralliart 4B11 are based on the Hyundai\Chrysler\Mitsubishi World Engine design. The 2.0T Theta is NOT a 4B11, it is simply related to the 4B11. Sorry, and thanks to those who tipped us!

Beyond Redline has taken apart the 2.0T motor used in the Genesis Coupe with some nice pictures. As expected, the block is sourced from the 4B11, the motor used in the new Lancer Ralliart (not to be confused with the 4B11T used in the Lancer Evolution X). [EDIT: Please read the update above, this engine, while related to the 4B11 is not the same block]. It looks like it has a beefy crank and stout rods with a 86mm\86mm stroke and bore, making it a square motor which is great for high revving madness. Beyond Redline expects 400whp at around 8000 RPM an easy goal with supporting mods but an otherwise stock block. With piston oil squirters it also looks like it will be very tunable to produce plenty of power. One disappointment is that it is an open deck block. High boost can possibly warp the cylinders into ovals, so for high power applications the block may need some reinforcement called block guards to reinforce the cylinder walls. The trade-off is better engine cooling and the possibility to tune the engine more aggressively with less boost to make more power. Compare this to the 4B11T, which has a semi-closed deck with supports all around the cylinder. More pictures after the jump, or click here to see the thread on GenCoupe with all the details.
Hi guys. The insides of this motor look pretty promising. Other than the rods and pistons, the rest looks decently strong. I do have to sonic test the walls, and may go so far as to machine out a sleeve just to see what type and how thick of material was used. Either way being that it is a factory turbo motor, it has to be stronger than a Honda block. In stock form I would expect that this would hold around 400whp, but only time will tell.