In case you needed another reason to make a pilgrimage to Las Vegas for this year’s SEMA show, here it is: Hyundai has teamed up with new development partner Cosworth to create what it’s billing as the “ultimate” Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Called the Cosworth Genesis Racing Series (CGRS), the satin blue coupe is designed to deliver performance gains without sacrificing driveability, making it the best compromise between a street car and a track day car.
Starting with Hyundai’s 3.8-liter V-6, Cosworth adds its own intake and exhaust systems, installs its own ECU programming and improves thermal management to boost output to 389 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. That’s a gain of 41 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque compared to a stock 3.8-liter Genesis Coupe.
Further enhancing performance, the CGRS gets a Cosworth big brake system and a Cosworth performance suspension. Details on either upgrade are lacking, and Cosworth is best known for its engine tuning, so we suspect the suspension and brake upgrades come from a third-party manufacturer.
The Cosworth Racing Genesis Series, coming to SEMA 2012
Aside from the in-your-face satin blue paint, exterior changes are subtle to preserve the Genesis Coupe’s styling. Add-ons include a new front bumper with brake cooling ducts, a front splitter, side skirts, a diffuser, a trunk spoiler, unique wheels and Cosworth logos. Unlike many SEMA concepts, this is one you could drive to work without embarrassment.
Inside, the CGRS gets a Cosworth-logo steering wheel, shift knob, machined pedals and shift boot. Further styling tweaks include two-tone seats and a two-tone interior treatment.
We hope this is the start of a lasting relationship between the two companies, because a Cosworth-engined production Genesis Coupe would certainly get our attention.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
