GenCoupeTorque

Well got a chance to take out the 2.0T base model, 18inch alloys, 6 spd.

It began to snow the day I went in so I was kind of iffy about taking the car out and really driving her hard but overall I got to haul some pretty good ass.

First impression was how enclosed I felt while sitting in the car; it literally felt as though there was just way too much car surrounding me. It was intimidating at first. Secondly, the clutch felt very sporty. It grabbed very very low. Starting off without a stall required decent gas and heavy modulation of the clutch (I never stalled it but later the salesman with me who was dying to get behind the wheel DID). Any accusations that the clutch doesn't grab firmly enough or that it's sloppy are those who don't understand how to learn the workings of an unfamiliar clutch. It felt tight, grabbed very low. I can see this appearing to be sloppy if you didn't adapt since releasing the clutch past this point would engage it much earlier than you would have anticipated (its at this point where the gas pedal needs to be modulated, not afterwords). I began driving the car slowly, trying to get a feel for the clutch and being careful not to ruin the car in what was now turning out to be a small snow storm LOL

Next thing I know the salesman pipes up and says something to this effect, "You know you can drive the car as hard as you want". I immediately looked over at him and smiled, downshifted into 2nd (going 40km/hr or so) and pounded the throttle. The car nearly instantaneously took off. If the car has any turbo lag, it could be just as mistakable for drive-by-wire throttle delay. Then snapped her into third, hard pull, then let off.

Next what I wanted to do was try a 4th gear pull from 40km/hr as a member of one of the local forums here said the car had no problem doing this; come to find out he was RIGHT. The turbo took care of it all. 4th gear, pound the throttle and surge of instantaneous power.

So here are some of the general impressions I had of the car: The chassis; just phenomenal. Any other car at this price point, just cannot compete. The salesman I was with had previously owned a Subaru Sti, and he said that the genesis chassis (after having some time behind the wheel when I was done with her) was so solid he just couldn't believe it; later making comments that sure someone could buy a Cobalt SS (have slightly more power), but the chassis of a Cobalt SS doesn't even begin to compare with the Genesis.

The chassis was solid, the doors were solid, everything was SOLID. The car felt like an extremely expensive SOLID German bread Audi; I would argue, even more solid. Swaying the steering from side to side resulted in perfect carving, digging right into the pavement as though on rails. I later told someone that it felt as though the car laid rails down in front of itself and traveled along them to get around.

Another thing I noticed was the steering feel; phenomenal. Not overboosted at all. It was perfectly resistant and had a great on-center feel. More then even the Audi's I've driven; something I prayed they'd get right and they did.
Hyundai has been known for horrible steering feel and this steering feel inspired confidence through and through.

Now as for the TURBO. First impression; plenty of power (for me at least), zero or barely noticeable lag, power is all in the low end, car pulls hardest when pounding the throttle at 1800rpm and then takes off from 2000rpm up until around 4500-5000rpm, then tappers off. This engine loves riding the 1500rpm-3000rpm range all day long. If you drive a Honda and you get into this car with the same shifting scheme you would use in your RSX or Civic, you won't be hitting the power where it really punches. Instead of needing to constantly downshift, I found myself upshifting. I loved this. You could keep the car quiet during daily driving and still haul major ass.

Now for INTERIOR. First place to begin, and first thing you notice, the SEATS. No one can downplay these seats, they are phenomenal. The headrests are actually amazing; you will actually want to use them (I know amazing right?). They hold your head just as they should, supporting just under the back of your head and cradling your head like a jewel. The side bolsters create a canal of hip/rib hugging perfection. The console and center stack? Well of course they're not drop dead gorgeous, but they're very practical, and definitely refined to a point that makes them more than acceptable.

Final thoughts;

Out of all the negatives one may say about the Genesis Coupe, there are certain things that someone just cannot criticize, and it is those things that really do count and that assure you that your dollars are going where it matters; these would be the chassis, the seats, the suspension, the steering feel, all those things that make driving what it should be, something pleasant, enjoyable, and above all else, fun.

Now I will admit, some may find the shifter, and perhaps even the clutch a little unfamiliar at first, but once you adjust and get a feel for it, you see why they made it the way they did; and it pays dividends when you finally perfect that 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear pull and each shift results in an ocean swaying motion on speed, of all passengers on board. In this sequence; Clutch, 1st, Throttle, Sway Back, Clutch, Sway Forward, 2nd, Throttle, Sway Back, Clutch, Sway Forward, 3rd, Throttle, Sway Back. Calming isn't it?

For any buyer who is going from an Acura RSX, Honda Civic Si, Cobalt SS, Subaru WRX, VW GTI, the 2.0T Genesis Coupe, must be on your shopping list because the shear low end power alone (in the case of the RSX, or Si) will sway your opinion AND ultimately if the power doesn't seduce you, it will be the phenomenal and solid chassis/suspension that will sway you from the rest (WRX, GTI, SS)

If the low end power (I'm talking riding 1500rpm-3000rpm all day long) doesn't funnel you away from the RSX or Si, surely the chassis which you'd swear had cement poured into the doors and every cavity of the interior cockpit, will entice one to favour the Genesis Coupe over the WRX, SS, or GTI.

For those who are perhaps considering something of more luxury, such as the BMW 125i, or Lexus IS 250; if you can get past the prestige of those brands this car definitely has something to offer. Don't take my word for it; go out and try one.

As drivers are used to having to down shift frequently in the high revving RSX or Si, the Genesis Coupe can be said to demand constant up shifting, because it really is a torque monster (it nearly idles its way through the gears lol) and those longer cogs just love those low end pulls.

 

FlesHBoX

nice writeup welcome to the site!

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sTeadFasT

Great review

wolverinejoe80

good job! wish i can test drive one. my dealer has no idea when they are geting 4bangers.

Galbi

Awesome first post. Welcome to the site!

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GenCoupeTorque

Yeah for some reason here in Canada every dealership has been outfitted with at least one I4 and one V6.

I can honestly say that I'm in love with the Genesis Coupe 2.0T and it really is nothing like any Hyundai made before it. If you stuck an Audi badge on this and made the clutch softer and the gear shifting less notchy, you'd swear it was one; One that has been built out of solid reinforced concrete that is.

This car is so solid it's unbelievable. It inspires confidence through every turn and maneuver. It's like taking a train, stretching it's width to that of a Ferrari, then outfitting it with its own rail dispenser in the front, resulting in a Lamborghini-like train that can carve out the path of any signature you wish to leave in the pavement.

Galbi

This might be the reason why.

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GenCoupeTorque

Yes, I knew this going in; you haven't taught me anything new

SUB-GEN

Hey GCT have you driven the V6? If so what is the difference in the low end power of both cars iyo? And what kinda 0 to 60 time did you acheive in the 2.0t if you possibly did?

GenCoupeTorque

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to try out the V6 yet. But I would assume the low end grunt would be similar since the V6 is making around 225-250-ft @ around 2000-4500rpm. The 2.0T is making 223@ around 2000rpm; so it's very similar.

As for 0-60 time, it was difficult to get traction the day I was out with the 2.0T due to a fine snow that was beginning to fall. The VSC system was intervening through 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.... 5th and 6th on the highway (lots of cars going over the pavement leading to a clear roadway) kept the traction.

But I can assure you that the low end grunt of this motor is all there, no doubt about that. You do have a sense that the boost pressure falls dramatically the more you wind her up, but low end; again its a beast, lots of punch.

One thing I will say as well is that since the turbo has next to no lag, you don't get that same sense of boost building up and then pushed into your seat; it's more of an immediate power that's there right away.

Difference between the V6 and I4 IMO would be how long you can ride the gear and still have phenomenal power. The I4 like I said is all low grunt. You wind the I4 up and she wishes you'd just slam her into the next gear and pull her through 3rd or 4th already. Wheras the V6 would enjoy you riding the gear up to the redline or just before redline and the power builds as you ride it up the rpm.

Now that I finally got 5 posts made (V6 graph is a photo so another 5 posts before I put it up); here are some graphs to show you where all the power is coming in for both the 2.0T and the V6. As you can see boost is peaked right away, and the torque as well. V6 model definitely can't beat the 2.0T in the sub 2000rpm range in terms of torque, that's for damn sure.

This comes from an AEM rep who posted this on gencoupe.com in another thread.

RPM HP Ft-Lbs Adv Boost
2600 105 210 1 13.1
2700 108 209 1 13.6
2800 109 206 2 14.1
2900 109 201 3 14.1
3000 113 195 3 13.1
3100 114 193 4 12.6
3200 115 190 5 12.3
3300 115 185 6 12.2
3400 122 187 7 11.8
3500 125 187 7 11.7
3600 126 185 8 11.7
3700 131 185 8 11.8
3800 133 185 9 12.0
3900 135 182 9 12.2
4000 136 179 9 12.2
4100 138 178 10 12.0
4200 140 175 10 11.8
4300 143 174 10 11.8
4400 146 175 11 11.5
4500 149 174 11 11.3
4600 150 172 11 11.3
4700 150 169 12 11.3
4800 152 167 12 11.3
4900 154 165 12 11.3
5000 156 164 12 11.3
5100 157 162 12 11.3
5200 161 162 13 11.2
5300 162 161 13 11.0
5400 163 159 14 11.0
5500 164 156 15 10.5
5600 163 153 16 10.0
5700 164 151 16 9.5
5800 164 148 17 9.4
5900 163 146 17 9.0
6000 163 143 17 8.9
6100 163 140 17 8.9
6200 164 139 17 8.9
6300 164 136 17 9.2
6400 164 135 17 9.2

And here is Edmunds dyno pulls between gencoupe and g37.

SUB-GEN

Thanks. I cant wait to test it out but i'm still in love with the V6/Track i drove. Oh and welcome to GC.

El_STiG

Your one lucky sob... I hate you!

But i like your review. I'm stoked!

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Pikapichu

The 2.0T comes standard with cloth seats right? How did they feel?

GenCoupeTorque

Oh yes, I wanted to touch on that as well. Nothing wrong with the cloth; very well made. Here is where my gripes come in though; I think this can be remedied with going for a trim that has the electric seats but I found the manual seats that I had in the 2.0T base model didn't allow me to adjust the seat to properly support my thighs. However, this is something I look for in a vehicle. I know numerous friends of mine who actually like sitting with little to no thigh support.

Other than that, again the seats are amazing.

GenCoupeTorque

Yeah I really have no clue why Canada got the 2.0T models, the delivery times should be nearly the same coming from Korea so it's not a time issue; Must want to make a powerful impression with first visitors to Hyundai dealerships in the U.S. or something.

UTASM

But the shear power comment against the cars you metioned is laughable... of all the cars you mentioned, I guarantee you the gencoupe 2.0T is slower than them all, stock for stock. Power to weight ratio pretty much dictates that, in the case against the SI, 10HP extra the gencoupe has is not going to make up for 400 lbs difference in weight. I want this car as well and will probably go 3.8 for this reason. Intake and exhaust will be my only mods...

GenCoupeTorque

Drive one.......

High 6 to low 7 seconds is on par with any Si or RSX.

An extra 2 people in a car or an extra 400lbs may make quite the difference in some high revving Honda, but not some low grunt turbocharged monster. I also had the salesmen and my friend sitting in the back during my review and I still stand firmly by the statements I made.

UTASM

I thought you were talking about the shear power of the gencoupe over these cars??? now it's on par??? I will stand by my statement as well sir. Plenty of shootouts to come I'm sure

GenCoupeTorque

Don't get me wrong, cars can travel from point A to point B in the same amount of time but the feeling of how they get there makes all the difference. I used to be in favor of high revving monsters like the Civic Si or RSX but there is really nothing that beats the instant smack into the seat as you pound the throttle from 1500rpm and feel what seems to be a V6 under the hood.

And as I said, pile all my friends into my turbocharged car any day, but into my high revving Si or RSX, I'd rather they walk to be honest.

UTASM

My brother has a stock EvoIX MR and that car is a blast! Funny thing is though, he loves to swap cars just for the difference of driving a high revving K20. I must admit I wish I had his car.. better yet both!