Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis PM580 Pikes Peak Race Car Unveiled
04-19-10, 09:02 AM
#1
Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis PM580 Pikes Peak Race Car Unveiled
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...-unveiled.html
They say the best things in life are free…but they haven't seen the incredible RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580. Designed to run the Unlimited Class at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the PM580 is basically a Le Mans-style prototype racer — with all-wheel-drive. And at least 650 horsepower.
Hyundai sent out a preview of the car, but, well, we weren't expecting this. Let's hear from Rhys Millen, the car's designer and racer who will tackle the mountain this summer.
“We are building a car for today’s road,” said Millen “The car will have a sleek aerodynamic body, the grip of Toyo Proxy tires and the power and durability of a Hyundai engine. This is the package I need to break the record.”
By any estimation, the vehicle should be ballistic. A target weight of 1,850 lbs. — less than a Lotus Elise — ensures the 650+ horsepower 4.1-liter turbocharged Hyundai Lambda engine won't go to waste. Also part of the package is an active rear wing to allow a more slippery profile on straights, plus a Quaife active center differential. Hyundai and RMR believe this setup will help the car transition from asphalt and dirt, something the 12.42 mile course does numerous times.
Let's make no mistake: Hyundai is gunning for the outright Pikes Peak record. The current world record hold is Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, who ran a 10:01.41 on the 12.42-mile course in an extremely modified Suzuki back in 2007. Tajima’s time bested the standing world’ record of 10:04.06, set in 1994 by Rhys’ father Rod Millen.
Hyundai sent out a preview of the car, but, well, we weren't expecting this. Let's hear from Rhys Millen, the car's designer and racer who will tackle the mountain this summer.
“We are building a car for today’s road,” said Millen “The car will have a sleek aerodynamic body, the grip of Toyo Proxy tires and the power and durability of a Hyundai engine. This is the package I need to break the record.”
By any estimation, the vehicle should be ballistic. A target weight of 1,850 lbs. — less than a Lotus Elise — ensures the 650+ horsepower 4.1-liter turbocharged Hyundai Lambda engine won't go to waste. Also part of the package is an active rear wing to allow a more slippery profile on straights, plus a Quaife active center differential. Hyundai and RMR believe this setup will help the car transition from asphalt and dirt, something the 12.42 mile course does numerous times.
Let's make no mistake: Hyundai is gunning for the outright Pikes Peak record. The current world record hold is Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, who ran a 10:01.41 on the 12.42-mile course in an extremely modified Suzuki back in 2007. Tajima’s time bested the standing world’ record of 10:04.06, set in 1994 by Rhys’ father Rod Millen.
04-19-10, 09:56 AM
#2
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Hyundai is serious. they want to build a heritage. you gotta start somewhere.
anyway, am i missing something here? how can you climb anything with that? that looks like a race car. it's way way too low.
gotcha.
anyway, am i missing something here? how can you climb anything with that? that looks like a race car. it's way way too low.
gotcha.
Last edited by joe80; 04-19-10 at 10:51 AM.
04-19-10, 10:38 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Adjustable ride height, and despite Pikes Peak road being unpaved in sections, it's not a Jeep trail by any means.
04-19-10, 01:52 PM
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04-19-10, 10:30 PM
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That's a Pike's Peak car? Are they for real?
I have serious doubts that they can break the record with that car. It doesn't look like the proper design for a Pike's Peak car IMHO. Also I think it's lacking some power compared to cars that previously set records.
I have serious doubts that they can break the record with that car. It doesn't look like the proper design for a Pike's Peak car IMHO. Also I think it's lacking some power compared to cars that previously set records.
04-19-10, 10:33 PM
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why does everything have to be called the genesis
before we know it, this will be called the genesis too
as for the racing car itself
i doubt it would last the whole race
before we know it, this will be called the genesis too
as for the racing car itself
i doubt it would last the whole race
04-19-10, 10:51 PM
#12
RMR is one of the closest thing the US has to Prodrive...
they know what they're doing, here's a pic of the "modified suzuki" they were talking about...
987hp, awd, active everything.
remember, pike's peak is at it's core, a RALLY special stage, mix of tarmac and dirt/gravel roads. travel isnt that big a deal...
they know what they're doing, here's a pic of the "modified suzuki" they were talking about...
987hp, awd, active everything.
remember, pike's peak is at it's core, a RALLY special stage, mix of tarmac and dirt/gravel roads. travel isnt that big a deal...
04-19-10, 11:02 PM
#13
i really wanted to see rod millen break the 10-minute barrier w/ his one-off pike's peak celica GT-4...
but a sub-10 minute hyundai? eh...
i suppose there's something to be said about technological innovation through motorsports, backed by hyundai...
chirp chirp... chirp chirp...
(pindrop)
(silence)
but a sub-10 minute hyundai? eh...
i suppose there's something to be said about technological innovation through motorsports, backed by hyundai...
chirp chirp... chirp chirp...
(pindrop)
(silence)
04-19-10, 11:14 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Those Pikes' Peak Hill Climb drivers, BTW, have guts. It's a LONG way down off the edges of a lot of those curves, and they have no guard rails or other protective barriers. Yet some drivers tail-slide their rear ends to within a few feet of the edge. Too risky for me.
04-19-10, 11:49 PM
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heres Rhys last year in a hyundai 2WD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMuFnaKCuaQ
in car (nose cam) footage
pretty scary edges indeed
on some corners if the rear had slid out a bit more....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMuFnaKCuaQ
in car (nose cam) footage
pretty scary edges indeed
on some corners if the rear had slid out a bit more....