Track Tested: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec

The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is instantly recognizable. For this model year Hyundai ditched the blobular look that the Genesis Coupe debuted with and replaced it with a sharp, angular face and a hood with cutouts that you can see from a mile away. Hyundai also added an additional 64 horsepower and 52 pound-feet of torque for a total of 274 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.

Last time we tested the previous iteration, a 2010 Genesis Coupe 2.0, it hit 60 in 6.9 seconds (6.6 with rollout) and went on to a quarter-mile of 15.0 @ 91.8 mph. How did this one do?

Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec

Odometer: 3,184
Date: 5/1/2012
Driver: Mike Monticello
Price: $27,375 (base price)

Specifications:
Drive Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed manual
Engine Type: Turbocharged inline-4
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 1,998
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 274 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 275 @ 2,000
Brake Type (front): 13.4-inch ventilated discs with four-piston fixed calipers
Brake Type (rear): 13.0-inch solid discs with two-piston fixed calipers
Suspension Type(front): Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, monotube shock absorber, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 225/40R19 (89Y)
Tire Size (rear): 245/40R19 (94Y)
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE050A
Tire Type: Asymmetrical summer performance
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,406

Test Results:

Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.3 (2.9 w/ TC on)
0-45 (sec): 4.2 (5.4 w/ TC on)
0-60 (sec): 6.5 (8.0 w/ TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.3 (7.7 w/ TC on)
0-75 (sec): 9.0 (10.5 w/ TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 14.6 @ 96.6 (15.6 @ 94.8 w/ TC on)

Braking
30-0 (ft): 28
60-0 (ft): 112

Handling
Slalom (mph): 69.6 (67.0 w/TC on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.89 (0.87 w/TC on)

Db @ Idle: 42.6
Db @ Full Throttle: 77.1
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.3

Comments:

Acceleration: The Genesis isn't overly hard to launch (4,000-rpm drop-clutch worked best to get that perfect amount of wheelspin), but it has some type of thoroughly annoying drivetrain-saver system that bogs the power down temporarily just as you let the clutch out for the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Got around this by shifting at a slightly lower rpm. Shifter is a bit notchy, but throws are short and gates are easy to find.

Braking: Slightly spongy pedal, but minimal nosedive and no side-to-side wiggling. Good, short and consistent stopping distances. First stop was shortest at 112 feet. Longest was second stop (out of six) at 114 feet.

Handling:

Skid pad: Front tires seem to be offering little grip, as the car just understeers around with little help from drop-throttle action. But the numbers, in fact, show that lateral adhesion is decent. Running with ESC on was frustrating, as the spastic system would cut throttle massively, then unleash full power, then cut power...over and over.

Slalom: Quick and precise steering, but the stiff suspension and squirrelly tires make the Genesis Coupe rather twitchy, especially over our mid-course bump. It continues to switch back and forth between the front losing grip and then the rear losing traction. It's a bit of a handful to keep fully in control, but the speed is impressive.