How the Mustang Killed the Hyundai Genesis Coupe
When Hyundai announced the Genesis Coupe back in 2008, it was a shock to the world of sports car enthusiasts. The Koreans had burst onto the scene with a 2.0-liter turbo and a V6 that rivaled or beat the power ratings of America’s V6- and V8-powered pony cars.
When the Genesis debuted, its only real rival was the Ford Mustang. The Mustang at that time was powered by a heavy and anemic 4.0-liter V6 with an iron block that only made 210 horsepower. Hyundai’s turbo-four, on the other hand, shares much of its insides with the engine from the Mitsubishi Evo X. It was smaller, lighter, revved quicker, and it also made 210 horsepower. The Mustang didn’t stand a chance.
Then 2010 rolled around.
The Camaro was back, and with it came new and more powerful direct-injected engines. The 3.6-liter V6 in the base Camaro made an underrated 304 horsepower … it was really 312, but regardless, that was more than the V8 Mustang and more than the V6 Genesis Coupe. Power ratings only went up from there with the V8 version dumping 400-426 horsepower to the rear wheels.
The Mustang bit back in 2011 with new engines of its own, making 305 horsepower in the V6, and 412 horsepower in the V8. It wasn’t until two years later in 2013 that Hyundai began to fight back with improved power ratings, but it was too little and too late. The turbo four was only good for 271 horsepower — far shy of the Mustang and Camaro. The same story held true for the high-end V6. At a max power output of 345 horsepower, it was quicker than the V6 cars from the Americans, but languished far behind the V8s.
This wouldn’t be that large of an issue if Hyundai didn’t charge such an outrageous price for the Genesis. If you walk into a showroom today and want a 2.0T Genesis Coupe, you are staring at a bill of just over $26,000. That is for a base car with zero options. A base Mustang, on the other hand, is only $22,500. You can make an argument about equipment levels if you want, but in this class of cars, it all comes down to power and performance. You can have a 305-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive Mustang, or you can pay $3,500 more for a 271-horsepower Genesis.
Head to the Forum to Discuss the Hyundai-Killing Mustang
In that light, it makes sense Hyundai is killing the 2.0T and dropping the price of the V6 car, but the writing is on the wall. There has been no news of a new Genesis Coupe. We have seen no new spy shots. The Genesis sedan is all-new this year, it’s getting rave reviews, and we have lots of info on many of Hyundai’s upcoming products. I see no other explanation other than the Coupe has reached the terminus of its existence.
Hyundai had big dreams and aspirations for the tiny sports car when it debuted, but America punched back hard and the Koreans just couldn’t keep up.
