Recently I had the opportunity to drive the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Hyundai’s Adrenaline Tour event at Texas Motor Speedway. This was not your normal promotional event, as far as the public is concerned. To the surprise of many, Hyundai had set up what was essentially a simple autocross course. Great! For some like me, it was time for some hoonage. For some others it obviously was time to enjoy a leisurely drive and closely examine each cone as the Genesis Coupe ambled along. Seriously, who test drives a sports car that slowly?
Before getting in line I took a closer look at a 2.0 Turbo Hyundai had on display. Fit and finish was surprisingly good. I wouldn’t put it on par with the 370Z interior, but it certainly is leagues better than the earlier 350Z. The layout was well designed with everything easily within reach. The driver’s seat was comfortable yet supportive. It later held me nicely while exploring the limits of adhesion. The back seats were a tad small but would be survivable for short trips if you’re less than 6ft tall.
So on to the experience. Hyundai allowed each person two laps, each lap choosing between the 3.8 liter V6 or 2.0 liter 4 cylinder Turbo engines in either automatic or manual transmissions. Let me preface what follows with the fact that I had one 30-40 second lap in each car, so my impressions can be taken with a grain of salt or even completely thrown out the window. Take your pick.
I took my first lap in the 6-speed V6. Clutch take-up was easy, quick and I had no problem getting a smooth launch. Power delivery was nice and linear but I felt there should be more considering the 306 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. There was a good amount of initial turn-in understeer but once settled in the turn, a good jab of the throttle would bring the tail out nicely. Steering feel was quite good, although I often briefly wondered what the back end was doing. The brakes had good feel and were fade-free, as expected from a Brembo setup. There were some offset bumps at the end of the course intended to upset the car and demonstrate chassis rigidity. Honestly, I have no idea how this should have felt, as I was too focused on the clanking front right suspension as it hit each bump. I realize these are abused demo cars, but for only having a few thousand miles, it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
Next up…the 2.0 liter Turbocharged inline-4, also a 6-speed manual. I got in this car expecting a somewhat different experience. Considering a 106hp deficit when compared to the V6, obviously it wasn’t going to launch out of each turn as quickly. However, I anticipated a lighter feel and being able to carry a little more speed into the turn. So that’s exactly what I did. I came into the first turn a little faster than before. Bad idea. The front end plowed on ahead as I turned the wheel. Successive turns felt better balanced, as I had more appropriate entry speeds, but the car still felt quite heavy and underpowered. Now the V6 had felt a bit heavy too, but you could muscle it around a bit and make it obey. Not so with the 4 cylinder. There is about 100 lbs difference between these two cars, but unfortunately it’s just not that noticeable. In this car I was able to pay attention when rolling over the small speed bumps and it did quite well. I heard no creaks or groans and for a stiff sport suspension it soaked it all up nicely.
I think a buyer looking for a fun, somewhat powerful car will be more apt to want the V6, while the 2.0 Turbo might lean more toward a fun commuter car for someone who occasionally wants to enjoy a back road. The 2.0 Turbo has decent power for daily driving and will still return 30 mph on the highway. It may do well with the tuner crowd too, who have always loved anything with a turbo. The more hard-core might want to spend the extra $3k for a little more precision and power on a 370z, but for the money the Genesis Coupe is a steal that buyers won’t regret.
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Here’s a short video I put together. If you have a fast connection,
click the YouTube icon and watch it in HD!
Last weekend we got up and drove out to Myers Park here in McKinney for a little photo shoot. The hope was that Hampton would stay happy in front of the camera longer outside than he normally does inside. It worked! He had a few episodes, but overall he did great.
Frustration. That has been the word which came to mind every summer when visiting family in Buena Vista, CO. It must be the 9 (soon to be 10) crazed munchkins under the age of 11 converging on my parents’ home for daily meals and outings. Nope. My family is wonderful, and we have a great time in the mountains hiking and fishing. Then what is it? It’s a feeling that arises every year because the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb organizers refuse to plan the race around my vacation schedule. This year, however, was different. They listened to my pleas. I could finally make it happen. I was a little bummed I could not attend Fan Fest on Friday and that I didn’t plan ahead enough to camp out on Saturday night, but the prospect of watching competitors risk it all for 12.42 miles and 156 turns was enough.
Caffeine is the order of the evening as I fill up in Buena Vista aiming to arrive on Pikes Peak around 1am early Sunday morning. I fully expect to sleep a bit in the Explorer until the gates open at 4am. Yeah right. My excitement won’t allow it. Plus, the line already forming was one long tailgate party, and at around 3am the officials and race teams were heading up the mountain.
3:55 am. The line is getting anxious. People are getting in their cars, ready to drive up into the darkness. I’m not kidding about it being dark up there. I spotted a mountain lion using a flashlight. It took a 30 second exposure to get a smidgeon of light for a skyline photo.
Off we go. I’m one of the first 20 or so to the toll gate where they are checking tickets. They’re flagging people by so fast I don’t have time to get a picture. I go by the race team pits and starting point even faster. I’m heading for Devil’s Playground above the timberline at almost 12,800 ft. I want the good view and to be exposed if the lightning and hail comes. My metal camping chair, tripod, and a couple bags of electronic camera gear should keep me safe.
Halfway Picnic Grounds goes by in the darkness, then Glen Cove, and then the 16 mile marker. I pass each landmark moving a little more slowly than the last as the elevation increases and my V6 struggles for air. One more turn. Finally. Devil’s Playground. I park and claim my tiny spot on a frighteningly thin, slippery ridge. It’s dark, but pair after pair of headlights zigzagging through the darkness indicate I’ve picked a good spot. Finally, just before 5am, some shadows begin to emerge. As the mountain begins to come out of darkness, the view of the course is impeccable. I can follow the course 4.5 miles to the Ski Area and beyond. It’s getting bright surprisingly quickly. My view of Glen Cove is remarkable. I’ve chosen well. I’m directly above the 16 mile snow drifts.
9 am seems to be taking forever. It’s barely 5:30 am. I feel like I’ve been here for weeks, grown a beard, and need to find fresh water. Instead, I grab a Gatorade from the cooler. Since I have some time to burn, I explore the hillside a little. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Some people have come quite prepared to enjoy the day.
Being a car guy, I can’t resist exploring the Devil’s Playground parking lot as well. Obviously a 4×4 is the spectator vehicle of choice. There is a respectful showing of WRXs and Evos too, although they are completely dominated by rental cars wheezing what seemed like their last breaths to get into the lot.
SIRENS! It’s the race safety vehicles clearing the course. Not much compares to the beauty of standing on the side of a mountain above the timberline aside from doing so while the National Anthem plays. Then we wait. Some drink. Some have been drinking for hours. The drunken commentary is quite funny at times as spectators cross the course for one last visit to the port-a-potty. A good portion of the morning is spent people watching and listening to one particular drunk guy who obviously retired from Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Finally. The distinct, quiet sound of a flat six reverberates up the mountain. I’m excited, but MST3000 guy might have actually peed himself a little. Here comes Max Papis in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 pace car. It’s a bit sad to see the AWD beauty struggling at this altitude and Papis using the handbrake generously to give the crowds a little tire smoke action. Was a 4S or Turbo not available? Porsche, are you listening? We know now it’s just a matter of time now before the Vintage Racers start up the mountain. The vintage cars are amazing. And by amazing, I mean slow. They are beautiful cars though and still a lot of fun to watch.
Next up is Mark Rennison in the Mach 2 Racing Ford RS200. Wow! Talk about jumping right to the big boys! This car is fast…stupid, silly fast. Compared to the vintage cars, it absolutely flogs each straight only to immediately beat each turn into submission. 2300 lbs. 950 bhp. 750 lb-ft torque. It gets better. Three minutes worth of nitrous is good for another 200 bhp. Those numbers make me giggle like a little girl. He runs a 12 min 11 sec time, good for 3rd place in Unlimited.
I know something good is coming as we watch the helicopter following along the course. The next thing I know, Marcus Gronholm is closing fast in his Ford Fiesta. I thought Rennison was fast, but this Fiesta definitely picks up the pace. The Fiesta is one good looking car too. Gronholm clocks 11 min 28 sec, good for 2nd place in Unlimited.
Now the moment even the marmots have been waiting for. Nobuhiro Tajima. His name alone frightens Chuck Norris. It’s obvious he is on his way up. Helicopter? Check. Dust clouds wafting through the W’s far below? Check. The crowd roars as he approaches and blows by 16 mile? Oh yeah! The man is a machine. It’s truly an unbelievable thing to watch. Unfortunately a really slippery course this year prevents a new record on the mountain, but he still tackles the mountain in 10 min 15 sec, easily taking the overall win and 1st place in Unlimited.
Here comes an old-school motorcycle with a sidecar. It may be the only point in the day when I have the urge to try and dive in or on a vehicle. The opportunity passes by as I realize the attempt wouldn’t end well. Many other quads and motorcycles follow and are quite impressive to watch negotiate a tight, paved turn.
Now there are some Exhibition cars and then Time Attack. All are great, but as I hear each car coming, I hope each time it is Rhys Millen in his new Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Something echoes up the mountain. It’s definitely the loudest I’ve heard today. It’s Randy Schranz in his propane powered ’66 Shelby Cobra (#17). Next, I don’t hear a car but the distinct blat, blat, blat of helicopter blades once again. It has to be Millen. The next thing I know he’s counter-steering the Genesis Coupe, rear wheels spinning wildly, all the way by me. It’s fast. It’s beautiful. In fact, Millen wears a tires down to the cords. He sets the 2WD record up the mountain with a 12 min 9 sec time. Next, I watch as the Open, Super Stock, Open Wheel, and Pro Truck vehicles slip and slide their way to the peak.
Now it’s time to start loading up as I wait for the progression of brave souls to parade their vehicles back down the mountain. It’s a beautiful sight seeing them all in line, high-fiving the crowds as they descend. Fans, family, and friends often stop drivers/riders to congratulate them. Many express relief that the drivers and riders didn’t end up at the bottom of a cliff or gulch.
It’s been an amazing day. There has been sunshine, clouds, rain, sleet, and lightning. There have been countless gallons of fuel burned. Most succeeded in attacking Pikes Peak but unfortunately some did not. Another year has passed, and the mountain has yet to allow a sub-10 minute ascent. Maybe the Peak will be more kind next year. I hope to be there.
=========================================== Click Here to browse my photo gallery for this event.
=========================================== After no sleep for 30 hours or so and hiking around with camera gear at 13,000 feet all day, there’s nothing like a flat tire to brighten the mood! A spare with really low tire pressure is even better!
I love when automakers pay attention to the little things…things that many may not notice at all.
I’ve had my 2005 G35 with the Bose stereo for over a year now and every time this happens, it brings a feeling of appreciation with it. I’m pulling into a destination and have the music blaring. Key off. I get out and walk away. When I return to the car, I often am still in the mood for loud music. Perfect. It comes back on at the same volume. But what If I’m not in the mood? Well, a click or two of the knob to decrease the volume actually resets it to zero. No matter how loud it was before, I now have to raise the volume to hear anything at all. I’m sure many cars’ head units have a similar feature, but it still doesn’t detract from it’s usefulness.
On the flip side, the layout of the center stack and head-unit is horrendous and a Nissan designer should have been fired for it. Why in the world should one have to replace not only the center stack panel, but the air-conditioning control unit? It’s asinine.
