Rhys Millen Racing building midengine Hyundai Genesis Coupe

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.