The Car Tech blog

Hyundai's new direct-injection engine delivers more power, better fuel economy.

(Credit: Hyundai)

Even as we approach an age of efficient and emission-free electric cars, the internal combustion engine still shows room for improvement. Hyundai just announced its 2.4 Theta II GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine, the first instance of the automaker using direct injection with a gasoline engine.

Although there were some early adopters, automakers began replacing carburetors en masse with injection technology around 1990. But most cars today still rely on port injection, the version of this technology that was originally introduced. Direct injection squirts fuel directly into the cylinder, without going through an intake manifold first.

The advantage of direct injection is a more efficient engine. For example, Hyundai claims its 2.4 Theta II GDI gets 7 to 12 percent better torque than an equivalent port injection engine, while at the same time getting 10 percent better fuel economy. These efficiencies come due to a more complete fuel burn in the cylinder. The one disadvantage is that direct injection tends to be louder than port injection, but modern sound-deadening materials keep engine noise from being intrusive in the cabin.

Hyundai will first use the 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injection engine in the 2011 Sonata, which goes into production next year. The engine makes 198 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The current, port-injected 2.4-liter engine in the Sonata makes only 175 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque.

Hyundai follows on the heels of other automakers that have adopted direct injection, including Volkswagen, Audi, GM, and Ford.

This last week saw yet another big auto show in the form of the 2009 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show ran from November 2 to Friday November 6, and boy, was there a ton of eye candy for us car enthusiasts. However, the SEMA Show was not open to the public--only auto industry insiders were allowed inside these doors full of what SEMA refers to as "automotive specialty products." This video is a teaser of some of the many automotive delights that were on display at this year's event.

Here we go with another quality highlight video from the folks at Inside Line courtesy of Edmunds.com. This highlight reel features Camaros galore, plenty of Ford mods, and the stateside debut of the $375,000 Lexus LFA. Other notable vehicles include the Hyundai Genesis (with the midcar engine), Kia's first foray into racecars, and the Brooks & Dunn sponsored Toyota Tundra with an onboard barbecue grill--yummy.

The GReddy Genesis Coupe is pretty heavily tuned and it wasn't even the craziest Coupe at Hyundai's booth.

(Credit: Hyundai)

Last year, Hyundai was all about the Genesis sedan at the 2008 SEMA Show. For 2009, the newer and sportier Genesis Coupe steps to the forefront for its share of the spotlight. Hyundai had no fewer than four Coupes in its booth and there were dozens more scattered across the rest of the show floor. If that's not enough to convince your that Hyundai's got a hit on its hands, we're not sure what will.

Among Hyundai's offerings were the wild midengine V-8 RM460 Genesis Coupe and the mild Hennessey Tuning School Coupe. Also in the mix was Hyundai's Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec, which we've already taken a look at, and a Genesis sedan that received custom hand painted graphics live during the show.

Check out our photos of Hyundai's assortment of Geneses for even more details.

The Genesis Coupe R-Spec is a low(-ish) cost, starting point for tuners and grassroots racers.

(Credit: Hyundai)

We knew that a stripped down version of the Genesis Coupe 2.0T was coming. We knew that it would be dubbed "R-Spec." Now, we know that it's going to cost $23,750, $3,000 cheaper than the fully loaded 2.0T Track model.

The R-Spec features all of the performance of the Track model. Under its hood is a 210-horsepower turbocharged engine that puts power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and Torsen limited-slip differential. (Hyundai's five-speed automatic transmission is not available on the R-Spec.) The R-Spec also features the same Brembo brakes, track-tuned suspension, and 19-inch wheels (probably not the best wheels for a track car) as the 2.0T Track model.

The R-Spec loses a few creature comforts in the name of weight and cost savings.

(Credit: Hyundai)

Specific to the R-Spec Coupe are a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts allow a little bit of customization right off of the showroom floor.

However, at a savings of $3,000, you can guess that there are going to be some sacrifices. In the name of weight savings, Hyundai has dropped some of the creature comforts, such as the automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents, steering wheel audio controls, and Bluetooth hands-free calling system. We're thinking this is more of a cost-saving measure, because none of these components really seem to weigh all that much.

Meanwhile, the stripped-out Genesis still retains heavier creature comforts such as air conditioning, power steering, a six-speaker audio system with iPod compatibility, and power windows.

The R-Spec is available only in red, black, and white and should start hitting dealerships this month. Is a V-6 R-Spec model around the corner? Hyundai isn't telling, but we certainly hope so.

The biggest change lies under the hood, err, under the rear hatch.

(Credit: Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing)

At the 2008 SEMA Show, Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) massaged one of the first available Hyundai Genesis Coupes into a wild, wide-bodied racer with a huge turbo and some crazy aero. For 2009, RMR plans to raise the bar with its RM460--a midengine, V-8-powered Genesis Coupe.

RMR started by yanking out the Coupe's stock 2.0T engine, as well as the rather useless back seats. After a good deal of bending, fabricating, and welding, the new engine bay (located just behind the driver's seat) was ready for the RM460's new ticker. Rather than reusing the stock I-4 or V-6 engines, RMR chose to use Hyundai's 4.6-liter Tau V-8, an engine that typically makes its home beneath the hood of Hyundai's other Genesis.

In stock form, the Tau V-8 produces 375-horsepower. RMR managed to coax about 125 more grin-inducing ponies out of the power plant, for a total of around 500 horsepower.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe goes under the knife at RMR.

(Credit: Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing)

Torque still reaches the road through the rear wheels, but now it flows through a Mendeola five-speed sequential automatic transmission.

The mods don't stop at the power train. The rest of the chassis has been stiffened to accommodate the new engine configuration and the suspension, wheels, tires, and braking system have been buffed up to make sure the RM460 Genesis turns and stops as well as it accelerates.

If the custom carbon fiber and glass hatch and V-8 rumble don't tip you off that this is no ordinary Genesis, perhaps the RMR Signature bodykit, Sparco seats, and Alcantara interior trim will cause you to take notice.

We'll be bringing you live shots and more info on the RM460 as part of our coverage of the 2009 SEMA Show. So, stay tuned.

Before all is said and done, GReddy plans to more than double the Genesis Coupe 2.0T's power output.

(Credit: GReddy)

When Hyundai announced that it would be debuting a 2-liter turbocharged version of its rear-wheel driven Genesis Coupe, I thought to myself, "The tuner crowd is going to go crazy over this."

Not even a year later, it appears that I was correct. Case in point, GReddy performance parts will be bringing a tuned-up Genesis Coupe 2.0T--dubbed the "GReddy X-Gen Street Genesis Coupe"--to the 2009 SEMA Show packed to the gills with performance parts and spinning its flywheel to the tune of 350-horsepower.

Bear in mind that the stock Genesis 2.0T packs only 210-ponies under its bonnet, so that's a sizable improvement. So how did they do it?

Bolt-on upgrades include a GReddy Performance Products turbo upgrade kit, a large front-mounted intercooler kit, a cat-back exhaust system, and a fully adjustable coil-over suspension, along with numerous other modifications. Bringing the Coupe to a stop are GReddy six-piston front- and four-piston rear-brake calipers.

At the end of the day, the rather goofily named X-Gen Genesis will generate 350-horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. With that kind of power, GReddy expects 0-60 runs to take under six seconds. And GReddy doesn't plan on ending there: once SEMA is behind them, the Coupe will then be further modified with a 500-horsepower target. 250-horsepower per liter of displacement? I'll take two.

The GReddy X-Gen Street Genesis Coupe will be displayed at the 2009 SEMA Show in early November.

(Credit: Automotive News)

Its name once synonymous with cheap cars, Hyundai continues to strive for its luxury credentials. Now the Korean brand is taking aim at Mercedes-Benz and BMW with a stretched version of the Equus, its luxury flagship.

To create its limousine, Hyundai extended the Equus sedan's wheelbase 11.8 inches to about 132 inches--longer than stretched-wheelbase versions of the Mercedes S-class and BMW 7-series sedans.

The Equus Limousine is on sale in South Korea at prices ranging from about $113,700 to $123,100. That's right: almost a buck and a quarter for a Hyundai.

The Hyundai Equus Limousine outstretches a Mercedes and a BMW.

(Credit: Automotive News)

Orders are being taken, even though no production date has been announced for the limousine. But three bulletproof models have been built for service at South Korea's presidential palace.

The Equus shares a rear-drive platform with the Hyundai Genesis sedan. U.S. sales of the nonstretched version of the Equus begin late next year, with an expected sticker price under $60,000. Hyundai Motor America won't comment on possible U.S. sales of the Equus Limousine.

(Source: Automotive News)

Everyone is saying ENOUGH to driving while distracted; Volvo announces a plug in hybrid, while Mini wonders how to charge them; Chrysler gets rid of the book we never read, but always wanted; and we go for a ride in a really affordable performance car you wouldn't have taken seriously a few years ago.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

• U.S. to hold a summit on driving while distracted--soon a stigma equal to drunk driving?

• Volvo promises its first plug-in hybrid, in showrooms by 2012

• CNET takes a drive in the new Nissan 370Z Roadster

• Mini finds out that charging an electric car isn't as easy as just plugging it in

• Hyundai Genesis Coupe on the road with the editors of CNET. Look out!

The Citroen Revolte features suicide doors and a lounge-style rear seat.

(Credit: CNET)

Concept cars at the Frankfurt auto show--photos

Small is clearly in, as these concepts show. And since concept cars are a bellwether for upcoming automotive trends, expect downsizing to be commonplace among new cars. Most of these concepts are lightweight city cars, easily maneuverable and economical. Mini's entrants add a sporty flavor, while Citroen and Hyundai go for the futuristic. Mazda showed off a stripped-down version of its MX-5, more weekend racer than everyday driver.