| Racecars are traditionally rear-wheel drive. As is the | | | | and on the one-two upshift. |
| 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Similar to a RWD racer, | | | | The V6 moves the Genesis Coupe into a different |
| the Genesis Coupe 2.0T model is quick, responsive | | | | realm. The V6 feels much less nimble than the four. |
| and fast. The standard engine is a 210-hp, | | | | Also, the V6's manual did not react well to |
| turbocharged, four that makes a whopping 230 | | | | performance-oriented shifts, responding with harsh |
| pound-feet of torque at a very low 2,000 rpm. Pricing | | | | drivetrain shocks, as if we had never driven a manual. |
| for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T is under | | | | Also, the linkage of both manual transmissions suffered |
| $25,000. | | | | from an extremely annoying buzzing. Unfortunately, we |
| The main purpose of front-wheel-drive, contrary to | | | | did not have the opportunity to sample either of the |
| popular misconception, is to increase interior room. | | | | automatics: five-speed with the four or six-speed on |
| (And, if you haven't heard, additional weight is not "road | | | | the V6. |
| hugging.") With a front-drive car, the front tires must do | | | | The Genesis Coupe 2.0T will go head-to-head with the |
| all of the acceleration and steering and about 80 | | | | likes of the Honda Civic Si and the V6 Ford Mustang. |
| percent of the braking, while the rear tires' main job is | | | | The four-cylinder turbo is rated at 30 miles per gallon in |
| to keep the gas tank from dragging on the pavement. | | | | the government's highway driving cycle and 21 mpg. |
| This means a front-driver has more difficulty | | | | The V6 gets 26 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in |
| simultaneously accelerating and turning (or turning and | | | | the city, when equipped with the six-speed automatic. |
| braking). With a rear-drive car, the rear tires | | | | Both engines are available in a "Track" configuration, |
| concentrate on putting power to the ground, while the | | | | which includes 19-inch-diameter wheels with very |
| fronts focus on turning and/or slowing down. The | | | | sticky Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer tires and |
| bottom line: A rear-drive car will always beat an | | | | stiffer suspension springs and anti-roll bars, as well as |
| otherwise identical front-driver around a dry racetrack | | | | Brembo brakes. The summer tires will help the |
| or up a mountain road. Not to mention, a | | | | Coupe's street performance but the stiffer suspension |
| rear-wheel-drive car can do things no stock front-drive | | | | will be difficult to live with every day in pothole-plagued |
| car can do: drifting powerslides and hooning, smoky | | | | areas. Unless you're really going to the track, stick with |
| burnouts. ("Hoon" is an Australian or New Zealand | | | | the regular model. There's also a "R" version that |
| word translates to anti-social behavior and driving | | | | removes some standard features, such as the |
| irresponsibly.) | | | | sunroof, to reduce weight. |
| The Genesis Coupe is also available with a | | | | Safety features include six airbags, active head |
| 306-horsepower 3.8-liter V6. While the Genesis Coupe | | | | restraints, standard electronic stability control and |
| 3.8 V6 is notably quicker at the drag strip, the turbo | | | | anti-lock brakes. Included is a 360-Watt, 10-speaker |
| four is the more enjoyable version of the car. Reasons | | | | Infinity sound system. Inside, the Genesis Coupe offers |
| are many: Much of the V6's extra 100 pounds is | | | | good quality materials and commendable fit and finish. |
| carried on the nose, which tends to overwhelm the | | | | This is one reason that the average residual value |
| front tires. The four also has much lower first and | | | | after 36 months for a Hyundai has improved to about |
| second gears in its six-speed manual transmission. The | | | | 43 percent currently from 37 percent in 2005. All is not |
| combination of big torque and low gearing gives the | | | | perfect as the blue on black digital information center is |
| four cylinder strong acceleration in the speed range | | | | difficult to read, and the speedometer and tachometer |
| that can be used on public roads without entering the | | | | are offset away from the center of vision, making |
| Highway Patrol's Frequent Offender Program. It also | | | | them a bit difficult to follow. |
| offers enough torque to squeal the tires leaving the line | | | | |