LexFather

By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter

Hyundai Motor's latest model, Genesis Coupe, got a total of 1,029 orders on the first day the sports sedan went on sale here, the automaker said Tuesday.

``A lot of customers have been showing interest in the model, and some even called Hyundai headquarters asking questions on the vehicle," said Ryu Seung-hee, a public relations official of Hyundai.

Genesis Coupe, a new version of luxury sedan Genesis debuted on the Korean market Monday with a launching ceremony held on Jeju Island.

A 38-year-old dentist in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province became the first owner of the red-hot vehicle, who won after drawing lots with others who ordered the vehicle in advance.

First unveiled here at the Busan International Motor Show in May, the high-tech rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, which succeeds the Tuscany, stole some of the spotlight before its launch on expectations of superior design and performance. A total 182.5 billion won ($151.3 million) budget went toward its development over 25 months.

Hyundai expected no problem in achieving its sales goal of 2,500 vehicles for this year.

"The coupe will play 100 percent of its role attracting young and new customers and providing a whole new driving experience," said Lee Hyun-soon, Hyundai's president of research and development, at the launching ceremony.

The automaker is planning to maximize market attention to the latest product by holding various events including test rides nationwide.

Genesis Coupe is scheduled for introduction in the United States early next year.

hckim@koreatimes.co.kr

BIG TY

iTrader: (4)

I LIKE THE NEW LOOK BUT IT IS STILL A "Hyundai"

Rash

iTrader: (1)

really amazing, I am really impressed.

check this website http://coupe.the-genesis.co.kr/

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

I like the wheels on the car.

as it says, they will sell more than 2500 per year.

bruce van

I've seen the Genesis driven around Hyundai design HQ in Irvine. Looks pretty good, but not WOW.

I think Hyundai styling borrows a bit from Infiniti.

darkdream

ofcourse it sold a lot in Korea... their tax on imported cars is crazy high...

Rash

iTrader: (1)

quick chop

TripleL

I'm going to reserve judgment until I see one in person next year.

From what I've seen and read I'm still not sure if this car will be a 2 door version of the sedan we get, or just a refreshed Tiburon (sp) with a Genesis badge that's a little more up market.

Regardless, I think the car will sell well for Hyundai

TripleL

farquad

LMFAO^
nice chop
is it just me or does anyone else see a resemblance to the LF-A's bumper in the genesis coupe's?

Gojirra99

Dunno, not too fond of the G37 coupe design(a big step back from the G35 coupe it replaced), but I still think the G37 coupe looks better than this Genesis coupe.

ecr527

Americans need to get over the stigma that Hyundai's are POS's. Although I myself am still not willing to pay upwards of $40K for one, their quality and design have come a long, long way. Yes, their design looks a lot like other car maker's designs, but what car company isn't guilty of that? We all looked on in disgust at the "Bangle butt" of the BMW 7 series when it first came out. Now everything from Camrys to Lexus' own LS have design cues that look similar.


I think the G37 coupe looks better than this Genesis coupe too, but it also will probably cost about $10-15K less.

dunnojack

i don't like the design at all.

the front end is like a sumo wrestler's face.

as of the first week, it's a hit. but that could also mean that everyone who wanted one bought them this week.

starting next week, sales will fall precipitously.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

with the girl in the red modeling, no wonder.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

There's nothing about it that shows it's a 2 door Genesis sedan (which is pretty lame imo). Should've gave it another name.

I saw a couple on the road and it can be mistaken for a refreshed tiburon

joshthorsc

LOL! It does look like the new G37.