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The RM500 Genesis Coupe. Image: Hyundai Motor America
We couldn’t make it to this year’s SEMA show, since no one picked us up hitchhiking on I-95. Instead, we’re at the mercy of the manufacturers, many of which flood our mailboxes with press releases on the latest SEMA decal kit or paint job. Some build cars that we’d really like to drive, and topping that list is the Hyundai Genesis Coupe built by Rhys Millen Racing (RMR). In fact, we’d go so far as to say it’s a car that Hyundai itself should be building.
The RM500 Genesis Coupe. Image: Hyundai Motor America
RMR started out with a 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, then shoehorned in a 5.0-liter Hyundai Tau V-8, good for 450 horsepower thanks to some tuning and an RMR exhaust. Next came some tasteful carbon fiber trim, which RMR will be bringing to market soon. To ensure the RM500 handles and stops as good as it looks, RMR bolted on 19-inch forged HRE wheels and used Brembo carbon ceramic rotors in all four corners.
The RM500 Genesis Coupe. Image: Hyundai Motor America
Inside, the driver and passenger get Sparco Chrono sport seats and an RMR interior suede package, which gives the Genesis Coupe an upscale feel. The car is sprayed in black, which only adds to its “don’t mess with me” demeanor.
The RM500 Genesis Coupe. Image: Hyundai Motor America
John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, is said to be a big fan of the 5.0-liter Genesis Coupe, but that doesn’t mean it will see production. Hyundai has dismissed the car as “too expensive to build,” and believes that a V-8 Genesis Coupe may steal buyers away from the Genesis R-Spec sedan. We’d beg to differ, since a 5.0-liter Genesis Coupe could be positioned to combat the Ford Mustang GT and the Nissan 370Z, something the current 3.8-liter Genesis Coupe doesn’t do well.
The RM500 Genesis Coupe. Image: Hyundai Motor America
Production versions would have to see some cost saving measures, so things like the HRE wheels and giant carbon-ceramic brakes would likely get the axe. The oil cooler and rear differential cooler would probably be cut, too, since these are only needed for serious track duty. Still, there’s enough of the good stuff left over to make a V-8 Genesis Coupe interesting, and we’d bet that Hyundai could bring one to market for around the same $30k starting price of a Mustang GT.
