Hyundai finally gave us something this market really needed: A cheap RWD turbo charged coupe.  If that wasn’t cool enough they’re also going to release a “R Spec” which gets rid of the frills, stiffens the suspension, upgrades the brakes, and fine tunes the traction control (yes, a Hyundai with traction control).  There are plenty more pics over at Jalopnik.

Press Release:

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

One of my favorite debuts of the show was when Lotus finally pulled the sheet off their first all new car in 15 years, the Evora.  Don’t get me wrong the Lotus Elise is great and the Exige is amazing but the truth is you really have to love those cars to own them.  Due to their small size and high revving motors neither the Elise or Exige are considered “livable.”

So the Evora is really the car for those of us who want the same Lotus formula of big power with light weight (The Evora sports a 276HP V6 but only weighs 2,976lbs) but who want the comfort of a mid-size sports coupe.  And when I say “comfort” I mean it.  The interior is plush and you have a ton of amenities.  It also has carpet! Can you believe that? A Lotus with carpet.  The whole thing is bloody genius!  Hopefully Lotus will let us take a test drive when the Evora is released hopefully next year.  At the show I was able to catch up with Kevin Smith from Lotus USA to get a little more info about the Evora.  Check out the video below.