I just read the preview test drive of the 2013 Hyundai genesis coupes turbo and V6.
So here we are... faced with a 350z rebirth in our refreshed facia and a "Euro-Sport" tuned suspension. If we are lucky? The oil heating issue will come to an end? The steering lock issue would have faded away? And possibly, a small power bump that we haven't heard of yet if we are lucky???????? And that's just my wishful thinkiing. We start at approx $32000 for our Z, a base/sport is about $35000. Opt for an automatic its $33.5k and 36.5k. If you want leather and some novelty bits? You pay $42k if you want NAV to go with the novelty its 44k.
The Hyundai Genesis coupe is rubbing shyt in all car companies faces right now. A completely modifiable 259hp on regular gas, 274hp on premuim, TWIN SCROLL TURBO on the 2.0 for $27k and a 3.8 liter GDI 348hp engine (340 on regular).
The suspension is considered "true sports car level and daily driveavle. Fuel economy hasn't changed with a huge power bump. Both models get the V8 genesis sedan transmission that holds a 429hp v8 engine and it features, normal, manual and sport modes... This means the 2.0 will be able to hold a serious amount of power when modded on an automatic engine. If the gen sedan R spec is rated at 429hp, I wonder how much more HP can their auto hold??? 550hp maybe???
The only genesis coupe flaw I see right now is that its ugly as hell. But ugly holds no weight in what the new package presents. I'm personally happy to see the Gen move up in the world. I'm just upset that as it stands... hyundai has no competitor. It takes another car company to want to matdh power and improve handling to stay ahead of the competition. That's definately nissan right now. With one of the weakest refreshes in the game. Is Nissan even going to compete in the sports arena? Or will they do a Honda/toyota of the past and run away from the game out of fear of the comp? The 2013 Nissan 370z is the weakest answer to the gencoupe refresh. A V6 car that from 2009-2011 can run the quarter mile equally to a 2010-11 camaro SS. When the Genesis coupe can run the quarter mile on the track and get 1g on the skidpad. Why would it be worth even buying a Z other than saying it looks cool?
Here's a preliminary article of the Genesis coupes.
Preview: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a reborn sports car
Carl Ghosen or whoever is running nissan right now. Take a thermometer. Check your temperature,eat some chicken soup and when you wake up in the morning, think about how badly you are fking up the Z reputation with this weak refresh and reinforcing recurring negative C&D articles. Not addressing these issues is leading the Z to failure. Its no ones fault but nissan.
The altima coupe is a failure at a budget representation to the affordable sport coupe. The canned silvia project should be resurrected and the Juke motor should be re-researched and designed to make 240hp/220lb tq on a 2600lb Silvia chassis that can acieve 27/35mpg's and a Dual clutch option and turbo mod capability of 500hp. The price range for this car would be 24k to 33k.
The Z needs a 3.4ltr Twin-turbocharged motor with 400hp 8100rpm redline on a 2900lb chassis and 750hp mod capability. The 340z. In order to be leaders in the game, Price won't technically skyrocket, but they way options are structured would change. What are options now like premium stereo and dual zone climate will be standard. Power seat will no longer be available to save money. Tonneau covers will be stand alone accessories and aluminum pedals will be standard. The sport pkg would be standard and the Z start price would be $35,900 for manual and 39k for dual clutch. The Z is pretty much bordering being overpriced compared to the price competitive, competitors. Going my route would make it the price leader again. I think it will take the competition years to catch up.
Packages would include a $2500 nav pkg, $2000 targa pkg and $2000 leather pkg which would be leather manual leather/suede heated seats with lumbar support vs the standard leather bolstered cloth mixed seats on the standard Z.
A highline color pkg should be an option. Deep yellow, sunburst orange, electric blue and cayenne red make up optional paint. Black, white, silver,magenta, grey, grey, and another gray and another gray will be standard.
A real track 440hp 8400rpm redline. NISMO with recaro and 6 piston-F/4piston-R BREMBO pkg model would be $46k-48k, 100lb weight reduction, the unique wide tire pkg and unique functional bodykit.
The current AKEBONO sport pkg would be standard on a Z and optional on a Silvia. Having a sport only Z would cut option costs of having a standard and sport Z. for the Z only making NAV and leather optional. Kill the touring pkg gimmicks. The touring stereo is weak and gimmicky as is the power seating. It would be more cost effective to have manual-heated seats with lumbar support rather than the current offering...
The cars would both come with bluetooth, USB standard as well as premium stereo. NAV optional for $2000. Leather seating will cost 2.5k The standard stereo would come with a 480 peak-watt premium android/iphone app capable stereo with 10inch sub.
This would be doable at the price range considering very little would have to be done to an already perfect chassis and the upcpming improved suspension. The final perk would be a Z that can achieve 20mpg city and 28highway for a medium of 24mpg's and acceleration times would be 4.5/12.7 on the Sport Z and 4.4/12.5 on the NISMO. Sport and normal mode to keep gas in check when necessary.
Better technology must be placed to keep the Z in its gas mileage range in normal mode. Unlike the current Z that gets a real world 19mpg when it claims 19city/27highway.
The GT-R should get a weight reduction to 3600lbs and a power increase to 600hp. Shorten wheelbase by an inch and shorten front and rear overhangs. $100k-110k would be fair.
This is the direction nissan should go. Enuff with the fluff and on with the fun.