http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/10/spy-shots-hyundais-rwd-coupe/

Wow, ok, I thought Hyundai was on a tear before, but they aren't messing around now, Nissan and BMW are going to have problem on their hands (especially Nissan) if Hyundai gets this right, and given their track record, they will.

Looks like a G37 GT competitor, I knew they were going to play the Datsun 240Z card at some point and come in with fun RWD at a substantial discount. Can you imagine a good looking RWD V8 Hyundai coupe for under $30K?

Not to shabby. Interior screen, gauge pods, seat design looks like a formula copied from the 8 but on well..it's a copy cat world. Wonder if the oil indicator is functional.

Thats nice, but the pic of the engine doesn't look like a V8. Looks like a turbo 4 banger.

It looks like a Turbo I6 to me

the only question i have is how will it handle?

As long as it is RWD it will probably kick some ass

that manifold definitely looks sized for a I4

The design has to seriously be outstanding for most people to even consider buying a Hyundai. I think that is more important than performance.

Look at the Saturn Sky.

They really need to redesign their badging. Not only would it help to eliminate the stigma of their cheap, boring early model cars, but it would just look aesthetically better. It's unsymmetrical on every axis and that is just weird. I know they can't just make the "H" stand straight up cause then it would look like a Honda, but they need to do something.

They really need to redesign their badging. Not only would it help to eliminate the stigma of their cheap, boring early model cars, but it would just look aesthetically better. It's unsymmetrical on every axis and that is just weird. I know they can't just make the "H" stand straight up cause then it would look like a Honda, but they need to do something.

+1

Hmm...quick car with cheap quality and priced low...could sell well if done right. Might be a new pocket rocket for the younger people. I'm gunna keep my eye on this car.

Problems with corporate parent aside, Hyundai motor vehicles is a on a roll. The latest generation of cars and CUVs are class competitive regardless of the cheaper price.

More importantly, it puts pressure on Honda/Toyota/Nissan and Mazda to come up with a competitive next gen product. Nothing like having someone come in an undercut you on price with a competitive product by $3-$5K to wake you up a bit.
Hyundai has been nipping at Toyota for the last 5 years, and this will be a real shot over the bow.

More importantly, if Hyundai si going to spend the coin, it means they think there is a market for RWD coupes going forward. This is incredibly positive for us, as it improves the chances of a new RX7.

i think a v8 is a mistake, stick with an inline 4 (turbo or N/A) or a v6, fuel ecomony has been a good seller for hyundia up to this point so they should stick with that idea in mind even for a rwd coupe.

If they pull this off correctly and it looks good in addition to prices in the low 20's the while outsell everything.

More importantly, if Hyundai si going to spend the coin, it means they think there is a market for RWD coupes going forward. This is incredibly positive for us, as it improves the chances of a new RX7.

i thought mazda was already coming out with a 4th gen RX7 instead of a 2nd gen RX8. maybe im wrong, i dont know ill look it up.

i think a v8 is a mistake, stick with an inline 4 (turbo or N/A) or a v6, fuel ecomony has been a good seller for hyundia up to this point so they should stick with that idea in mind even for a rwd coupe.

If they pull this off correctly and it looks good in addition to prices in the low 20's the while outsell everything.
I agree--a V6 (turbo or not) or a turbo-4. The output of turbo 4s are incredible nowadays.

I wonder what they will do with the Tiburon coupe. It is one of the older cars remaining in their lineup.

I agree--a V6 (turbo or not) or a turbo-4. The output of turbo 4s are incredible nowadays.

I wonder what they will do with the Tiburon coupe. It is one of the older cars remaining in their lineup.

I've been saying it for years, i think the market place is EMPTY for cheap hard top roof coupe rwd. Not everyone wants a convertible. 2 seats(or even 2+2), coupe, 2 doors, rwd engine will sell if it looks good. Hell the v6 mustang sells a ton with no import competition to compare it to.

I've been saying it for years, i think the market place is EMPTY for cheap hard top roof coupe rwd. Not everyone wants a convertible. 2 seats(or even 2+2), coupe, 2 doors, rwd engine will sell if it looks good. Hell the v6 mustang sells a ton with no import competition to compare it to.

i agree, there going to have a market of there own, the car will be in its own genere...its going to be very unique and should prove to be successful

Turbo 4-Banger, count the plugs and see the turbo...

Turbo 4-Banger, count the plugs and see the turbo...
Looks like a turbo 4 in there.

that looks really nice.

I've been saying it for years, i think the market place is EMPTY for cheap hard top roof coupe rwd. Not everyone wants a convertible. 2 seats(or even 2+2), coupe, 2 doors, rwd engine will sell if it looks good. Hell the v6 mustang sells a ton with no import competition to compare it to.
The reason why you don't see this is because it's hard to make a nice looking car with enough output so that it can afford to lose all the power it would by being rear wheel drive. The RX-8 is really one of the closest to that and it cost $30k+. If you take a cheaper car like an Eclipse or a Tiburon and make it rear wheel drive it's not going to be $20k.

The Mustang, the only other competitor in that class looks like crap and has a live rear wheel axle because they can't afford to add niceties and keep the costs down.

I'd love to see someone try, but I just don't think the market is as big as you think it is. Most people buying low-cost coupes are in it for the looks. FWD doesn't make any difference to those people.

A good test will be to see how the new Altima and Accord coupes sell.

I'd love to see someone try, but I just don't think the market is as big as you think it is. Most people buying low-cost coupes are in it for the looks. FWD doesn't make any difference to those people.

Exactly, and they sell a piss load of those FWD sporty coupes. The Nissan 240SX was supposed to be the RWD answer to this question and it didn't do as well as anticipated compared to the lower-priced FWD competition (I know I am simplifying the 240's history in the US here, but it works).

This also goes to show how impressive it is that Mazda brought a inexpensive sporty RWD roadster on the market 17+ years ago and did so well.

Damn, it's defiantly another step for Hyundai. It's kinda late tho, they need something NEW!
RWD Sports car with 300bhp is a good idea, been done, wonder what the price would be.

Why exactly does BMW need to worry about this?

Those pictures are probably of the next Tibby.

It's definitely a longitudinal turbo I4. Unless they are silly like VW/Audi and are going to put a longitudinal engine on a FWD platform (B5 Passat/A4).

Those pictures are probably of the next Tibby.

It's definitely a longitudinal turbo I4. Unless they are silly like VW/Audi and are going to put a longitudinal engine on a FWD platform (B5 Passat/A4).

doesn't VW/Audi due that so there isn't major position change for the awd models?

Hundai isn't as cheap as you think.

They've raised prices over the years.

For 2k more your better off getting the real thing.

Hundai isn't as cheap as you think.

They've raised prices over the years.

For 2k more your better off getting the real thing.

What are you talking about? The Sonata for example, is about 5k less than a comparably equiped Camry, most likely even more after negotiations. Hyundai is making some reliable cars for a very good price. You can bet other automakers know Hyjndai is the real thing, even if some ignorant consumers such as yourself haven't realized it yet.

doesn't VW/Audi due that so there isn't major position change for the awd models?

That and so that they can more easily fit the TorSen(tm) center diff. As far as chassis changes, there are many with the B5 Passat and B5-and-later A4 between FWD and AWD; floor pan is different, gas tanks are different, rear suspension changes from a torsion beam (FWD) to multi-link (I think) IRS (AWD) and for a few model years, you couldn't get split-folding rear seats in a 4-motion Passat (dunno about the A4).

VW gave that up with the PQ46 (often referred to as the "B6") Passat and just went with a transverse setup (actually based off of the MKV Jetta/Golf platform). The AWD system is an easier-to-fit electro-hydraulic clutch (the "Haldex" system).

Audi is still hanging onto the longitudinal setup and they still use a TorSen-brand center diff in their AWD systems.

The big problem with that is this is that it positions the engine forward of the front wheels; not good for polar moment of inertia.

A 200HP RWD 25K would be an interesting prospect.

200hp for 25k dosnt cut it anymore these days. by then im sure the standard would be more along 300hp for 25k non luxury sporty cars, as mustang GT is already in that range

on another note im not certain about this, but i think on a world wide scale, hyundai is bigger than Honda and Nissan/renualt. they are a great car company that makes great cars now, only knock i have against them is their engines seems to be a lot less advanced compared to other companies. I hope this changes in the next few years

200hp for 25k dosnt cut it anymore these days. by then im sure the standard would be more along 300hp for 25k non luxury sporty cars, as mustang GT is already in that range

...

only knock i have against them is their engines seems to be a lot less advanced compared to other companies


That's true and it's unfortunate that the 'Stang has a solid rear axle, barely mid-level handling capabilities and is porker at well over 3500 lbs fully dressed (driver, options, accessories, etc). Don't get me wrong, I do like the 'Stang for what it is, I just don't see it as being targeted at the same audience as a RWD Asian import coupe.

I agree with you about the engine technology. 171HP from a 2.7L V6? The first gen Santa Fe was available in the later years the "Lambda" 3.5L V6 which put out a whopping 200HP (at the same time that Nissan was pushing 300HP from the same displacement). They do seem to be getting better as the second gen Santy has an available 3.3L V6 worth 242HP.

That's an In-line DI 4Cylinder...not a V8..
Tiburon replacement if you ask me.

what ever it is, it looks to be a RWD setup. I can't believe they would go for a long. mounted FWD setup. The car looks to be kinda big for a Tiburon, but what ever it is, I'd love another cheap RWD option on the market.

200hp for 25k dosnt cut it anymore these days.

I would say it depends. For most modern cars, the answer would be yes. But 200 peak hp in a MX-5 is probably very doable for 25k, and would be a very entertaining car. Now, if Mazda would just make a 200 hp MX-5 hardtop coupe.....

Cheers

I would say it depends. For most modern cars, the answer would be yes. But 200 peak hp in a MX-5 is probably very doable for 25k, and would be a very entertaining car. Now, if Mazda would just make a 200 hp MX-5 hardtop coupe.....

Cheers

The car already is very entertaining. A MX-5 coupe will never happen here in the US in any serious way. Especially now that the PRHT is so cheap and effective (in terms of weight and hardtop speed).

I would say it depends. For most modern cars, the answer would be yes. But 200 peak hp in a MX-5 is probably very doable for 25k, and would be a very entertaining car. Now, if Mazda would just make a 232 hp MX-5 hardtop coupe.....


fixed

fixed

True... True... A Renesis powered MX-5 hardtop coupe would be even better. (With the appropriate name change of course!)

Cheers

This is why the Rx8 will disappear unless Mazda adds some power to it.

This is why the Rx8 will disappear unless Mazda adds some power to it.
The RX-8 will only disappear if it goes 88 mph.

Nah, our flux capacitor isn't big enough.... duh

Nah, our flux capacitor isn't big enough.... duh
That's what she said.

I got a 4cyl hyundai sonata as a loaner car and LOVED it.

Back to the Future

if i did a search on the statement "the rx8 will disappear" i think my computer would explode.

This looks like a GREAT step for Hyundai. We've actually got one of these here where I work right now. We're doing some static airbag deployment testing on it. I'll have to go get a closer look on my way out.

looks sweet.

Being another big step for Hyundai..
I don't think this one will be cheap