The R-Spec allows enthusiasts to tune their own car to their desired specifications. R-Spec provides genuine track-readiness and powertrain scalability in an affordable model. The R-Spec adds core Track model 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.

In a special nod to tuners, R-Spec will also receive a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts (dealer installation – optional for customer to install) to further enhance initial turn-in and handling response. To reduce both cost and weight, the R-Spec eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as: Bluetooth®, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. Genesis Coupe R-Spec is priced $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades. Appropriately, R-Spec will be available in three exteriors colors most common among international racing teams: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. R-Spec comes with manual transmission only.

R-Spec equipment includes:

* 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 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)

The parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, invested heavily in improvements to design, quality, manufacturing, and long-term research. It also added 10-year/100,000-mile warranties to its American cars, and began to market very aggressively.

In 2004, J.D. Power and Associates ranked Hyundai second in “initial quality,” and it is now one of the 100 most valuable brands, worldwide. The slanted stylized “H” symbol of the Hyundai logo, meant to represent the company and customer shaking hands, is now familiar to most, as is the company’s official slogan, “Drive your way.”

Cortina, was released with the cooperation of the UK branch of Ford a year later. In 1975, the first Korean car - the Pony - was released. It featured styling by ItalDesign’s Giorgio Giugiaro, and powertrain technology furnished by Mitsubishi Motors of Japan. It began exporting to Ecuador and the Benelux countries the next year.

Hyundai didn’t arrive in the US until 1986, but it’s first offering, the Excel, was nominated for “Best Product #10″ in Fortune Magazine, mainly because of its affordability. In 1988, beginning with the Sonata, the company began to produce models using its own technology.

The Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, is a division of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, which is the largest car manufacturer in South Korea. It may seem like an upstart to many, but in 2005, the combined sales of the group made Hyundai Kia the world’s sixth largest vehicle manufacturer. In addition, the Hyundai manufacturing plant in Ulsan, South Korea, is the world’s largest such facility, and is capable of producing over 1.5 million units each year.

The MVi-spec coupé version won particular praise for its handling agility in the UK. Although the Accent was cheap to buy and insure, its engines were quite thirsty; the 1.5-litre returned 33 mpg-imp (8.6 L/100 km; 27 mpg-US) average according to list figures.

Though manuals exist for Accents before and after 1999, a manual for 1999 Hyundai Accent has not been published. Also 1999 Hyundai Accent owners were informed by their dealers that the power output of the 1.5 L engine is actually rated at 88 horsepower (66 kW).

Hyundai. In Australia, these models carried over the Hyundai Excel name, that used by the Accent’s predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea

Hyundai has announced that it has developed a new high-performance V6 Lambda RS (Rear wheel drive Sports) engine which will see its first application in the Genesis Coupe to be launched in Korea this month followed in spring 2009 by the North American market. Based on the current Lambda V6 engine that was first introduced in 2004, the RS edition features a series of modifications which have increased power to a maximum of 310 HP at 6,300rpm and peak torque to 36.8kg/m at 4700rpm.

As well as unleashing its all-new Genesis Coupe in the Korean market, Hyundai also released officials details on its rear-wheel-drive coupe that is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in spring 2009. But let’s cut to the chase. The Genesis Coupe will be offered with a choice of two engines, an entry-level 2.0 Turbo and a 3.8 V6.

Hyundai had the unfortunate chance to see how its brand new rear-wheel-drive Genesis Coupe performs in a real-world crash when a 2.0 Turbo slammed into the concrete surrounding of a metal pole somewhere in Korea. Despite the severity of the crash and as you can see in the photos that have been circulating around the Korean blogosphere the past few days, it appears that in this particular car, both the driver and front passenger airbags failed to deploy.