The Chicago auto show is here, and one of the first reveals is the new Hyundai Elantra Coupe, as well as the GT hatchback.  While the GT Hatchback isn’t exactly new (more on that in a minute), the Elantra Coupe is.

Designed to compete with the Civic Coupe and the Kia Forte Koup, the Elantra 2-door takes Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” into a sportier package.  It’s a good looking car in my eyes, with a traditional coupe roofline and an abbreviated, swoopy tail.

With how well US sales of the new Elantra have gone (have you noticed they’re everywhere?) it makes sense that Hyundai would expand the lineup with some additional models – and a coupe and hatchback are probably a good place to start, considering corporate sister Kia’s Forte has all three as well.

The interior is largely the same as the normal Elantra too.  Power comes from the 1.8L I4 shared with the sedan, with 148 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.  With the 6-speed manual it will deliver 29 city and 40 highway MPG (a Civic with a 5-speed does 28/36, for reference) and 28/39 with the automatic.

The Coupe uses the same MacStrut/Torsion beam setup as the sedan, but tuned for better handling, with the SE model receiving 215/45/17 tires and an even stiffer setup.  The Coupe will be in dealers this spring.

The Elantra GT is basically an Americanized version of the European i30 hatchback.  Again, a somewhat conventional car – you don’t become profitable by selling rotary powered pickup trucks – but the key point with the GT is it’s weight.  At 2,784lbs for an automatic, it’s 175lbs lighter than a Focus, 151 lighter than a Mazda3, and 222 lighter than a Golf, thanks to the use of 57% high tensile strength steel in the chassis.  The GT uses Macpherson struts up front and a torsion beam in the rear; it’s tuned for better handling in the GT than the sedan, with stiffer springs and dampers, lower ride height, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar.  It also has a three-position driver selectable steering setup.

It too comes with the 1.8L DOHC I4, rated at 148bhp and 131 torque with a 6-speed manual or automatic.  The GT should deliver 28 city and 39 highway regardless of transmission choice, noticeably better than most competitors except the Focus and the new Mazda3 SkyActiv. Being a hatchback it’s got a pretty useful 23 and 51 ft³ of cargo room with the seats up and down, respectively.

Both of the new Elantras will be available with the kind of goodies buyers have come to expect in this segment now.  That means things like a 7″ touchscreen navigation system and rearview camera, dual zone climate, panoramic sunroof- and of course a stereo with all the modern hookups (Sirius Satellite, USB/Aux, Bluetooth etc.)  You can also get heated seats and cupholders, automatic headlights, and steering wheel hand controls.  The Elantra GT will be available this summer.

These two Elantra models follow the Veloster Turbo and updated Genesis Coupe as part of Hyundai’s plan to introduce 7 new models in 11 months.

January 2012

Kia Optima

It’s been available around the world for a while but the Kia Optima finally hits UK soil this month. Our man James has already reviewed the Stateside 2.0 Turbo petrol and he was very impressed. The old Magentis was pound-shop cheap but the Optima has got the executive car looks with a touch of Korean flair and at around £18,000 it’s great value.

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

Just like the last SLK, the new R172 pretty much steals the look of the German firm’s flagship supercar and shrinks them. This month will see the AMG version which has a 5.5L V8 containing 416 horses that will take it from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. It’s less powerful than the SLS roadster but the SLK AMG comes with a better folding metal roof and a slightly more frugal unit for around £58,000. That’s over £100,000 cheaper than its bigger brother.

Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Swift Sport comes with a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol with more power, more MPG thanks to a 6th gear and less CO2. The Swift is one of the finest handling superminis out there, almost as good as the original Mini as some have reported. The Sport version is predicted to be £14,000 which makes it a great value hot hatch. Car Throttle front man will get his hands on one in April to deliver his verdict.

February 2012

Audi A1 Sportback

The 3-door A1 is a great looking premium hatchback but practicality is flawed. The Sportback, though, comes with 2 extra doors and 3 rear seats for an extra £560 over the 3 door, making it more comfy for your mates. It’s also available in Samoa Orange which is an exclusive paint job to the Sportback and it will get the same engines as the standard car.

BMW 3 Series Saloon

There’s not much change on the outside of the F30 3 Series (the only big difference being the more poised kidneys) but inside it’s a complete revolution. The dashboard wraps around the driver like in the older 3-s and looks more lively than the last car. You can even have red trim pieces and stitching on the leather and fabric seats of the Sport models. Most magazines and websites have driven the new 3 already and the overall verdict is that it’s the best 3 Series yet.

Hyundai Veloster

The last coupe we saw from Hyundai in the UK was called the Genesis Coupé and, to me, it looked like a smaller and cheaper Jaguar XK. It was one of the best looking cheap coupés of its time. This one though is taking on the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe, though the Hyundai’s looks won’t appeal to everyone. It does have a unique trick up its sleeve which is the odd door layout (one door on the driver’s side and two on the pavement side) and means your friends won’t have to clamber over the front seats to get into the back. It comes with a 1.6 138bhp which is reported to be a tad slow but a 201bhp Turbo version of the Veloster will make it here in August. Pricing is competitive, starting at £18,000 for the standard car and £23,000 for the Turbo.

March 2012

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Finally, after a wait of what feels like decades, the Camaro has had its suspension tweaked for Europe and this means we’ll see both the Camaro Coupe and Convertible on British roads this March. Both Camaros come with a 6.2 V8 that produces 426bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds. The coupe could be yours for just £35,000 and the convertible for £40,000 the convertible, what a steal! The convertible is rumored to be left-hand drive only, however.

Citroen DS5

This has to be the coolest family car ever made. The reason: it’s just so different. Inside and out is as luxurious as the big executive saloons but the DS5 is a sort of estate/hatchback crossover with a raised ride height. The interior is inspired by cockpits of airliners and it shows. The big Citroen is also available with Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system, combining a diesel engine and an electric engine which will mean hardly any CO2 and massive mpg. Prices are predicted to be around £28,000. We’ll also see an Ultra Prestige version of the ever so popular DS3 from Citroen in March which has things like charcoal grey alloys, luxury leather seats and a white leather dash, ooh la-la!

Volkswagen Up!

The Up! is the first of a trio of city cars from the Volkswagen group to hit our roads. Even though it’s city car cheap (£8,000) it doesn’t feel it. It looks like a premium product and has an interior to match. It will certainly be a hit for new drivers especially since it comes with a cheap to run 1.0 3 cylinder engine. The 3-door will be available in March with a 5-door version arriving in July. The Seat Mii will arrive in May and the Skoda equivalent CitiGo will be on the road in June.

April 2012

Ferrari “F620″

The successor to the 599 is apparently going to be called the “F620″ but the car itself will be revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show in March along with the confirmed name. It takes an updated version of the 700bhp 6.3 V12 from the FF and promises a 0-60mph time of around three seconds, maybe less, thanks to a very light aluminium chassis.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

In a way, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is like the Chevrolet Camaro Coupe. It’s predicted to be £60,000 making it a value for money performance SUV which is way cheaper than rivals from Porsche, Mercedes, Audi & BMW. It comes with a 6.4 V8 that produces 470bhp.

Lotus Evora GTE

The lighter Evora GTE gets a tuned up version of the 3.5 supercharged V6 which aims to produce 438bhp. The plus is the fact that the GTE comes with carbon fibre panels that take 105kg off the original weight meaning that this Evora is going to be one heck of a bonkers Lotus. Prices are expected to be around £100,000.

May 2012

Audi S1

Yes, it’s another small Audi, but this is the spicy S1 with a 220bhp 1.6L petrol engine. It’s not totally immature, though, as it comes with four wheel drive and a wider track to provide secure handling. The S1 is also lower and stiffer than the everyday A1. A predicted price of £23,000 may put you off, especially since that’s low spec Scirocco money.

Fisker Karma

It’s the only plug-in hybrid you would probably lust for more than some supercars. It comes with a 2.0 four-cylinder petrol and two 199bhp electric motors which produce more torque than a Bugatti Veyron meaning a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Set the car into “Stealth” mode and it should return up to 100mpg. “Stealth” mode sounds a lot more hairy chested than wimpy “Eco” mode doesn’t it? The Surf shooting brake will follow suit in July.

MINI Roadster

The most controversial part of the MINI Coupe was that big backwards baseball cap of a roof, which I personally hate. Thankfully, MINI have addressed this issue and made a roadster version to take on the likes of the Mazda MX-5. It looks better than the bigger MINI convertible as well thanks to the fabric roof properly folding away into the boot instead of lying on the rear deck like a tired walrus.

June 2012

Audi S8

If Jason Statham was still transporting goods with no questions asked, the new S8 would be his vehicle of choice. The 4.0 513bhp twin-turbo V8 goes from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph. The S8 has an invincible feeling cabin with features such as double glazed privacy windows and a noise cancelling system. I would want to hear the V8 though.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

The biggest gripe that everyone has with the 6 Series Coupe is the fact that the “practical gran tourer” struggles to fit two human beings in the back. This 6 Series though is stretched and has two extra doors so that two friends can sit comfortably in the rear seats. This means that four people can enjoy the beautifully designed interior and the excellent engines from the 6 Series coupe. Prices start from £61,380 which is more than the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7 it is up against.

Peugeot 208

The newest Peugeot supermini fixes the big lumpy looks of the old 207 to offer a fitter and sharper looking package. Even though it’s smaller than the previous car, the 208 promises more space for people in the back and more things in the boot. Every version besides the standard car gets a very nice touch screen multimedia system which controls most of the car’s functions. Nearly all of the engines promise under 100g/km of CO2 and prices start at £10,500 for this attractive small car.

July 2012

Ford Focus ST

The last ST was famously nicknamed the “ASBO” by an old geezer named Jeremy Clarkson. With this in mind, the new ST will probably get handed a community service sentence with a 0-60mph time of 6 seconds and a predicted top speed of 155mph thanks to a 2.0 Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 247bhp. The new ST will be easier on your wallet with better economy than the previous 2.5 5-cylinder car and it’s more practical too with a choice between a 5-door hatch and estate. What would complete the range is a sporty 3-door coupe-esque version of the Focus, in my opinion.

Subaru BRZ & Toyota GT-86

Ladies and Gents, the old school, rear wheel drive, purists’ coupe is back and it comes with a choice of two badges and bumper styles; Subaru and Toyota. Both versions get a 2.0 flat-4 boxer engine that produces 197bhp and goes from 0-60mph in 7 seconds. The GT-86 and BRZ can fit four people in comfort (if the people in the back seats are under 5ft 5″ that is) and prices for both cars are predicted to start at around £25,000. They’re the cars that everyone is waiting for this year and we’re dying to try both of them out.

August 2012

Audi S6

Imagine putting the 513bhp 4.0 twin turbo V8 from the new Bentley Continental and S8 in the lightest executive car out there. No need to imagine after August as Audi will fit the new engine in both the new A6 Saloon and Avant. If this is just the S6, I wonder how insane the next RS6 will be.

Porsche Boxster

The next version of the class leading, mid-engined roadster looks a bit like a baby Carrera GT but shares all the tech with the new 911. The standard car will have an all new flat four unit producing 270bhp and the Boxster S will use the same 3.4 flat six as the 911 Carrera.

Vauxhall Astra VXR

The most powerful hot hatch of the 2012 bunch is the new Astra VXR. It promises up to 280bhp which means a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds thanks to a 2.0 direct injection petrol. It also comes with more aggressive looking trinkets than the standard Astra GTC and it’s much more pleasing to the eye compared to the predecessor. All yours for £25,000.

September 2012

Ferrari F70

Introducing the next Ferrari flagship to take over the Enzo, the F70. No official performance figures have been released yet but it’s rumored to have over 700bhp thanks to an all new twin-turbo V8. Mix this with a very light carbon fibre chassis and it sounds like it will be the next ultimate road car. It’s also very expensive with an estimated price of £750,000.

Mercedes SL

The Mercedes SL has been one of the best sports cars ever since the 1950s and this latest one aims to be much better to drive thanks to better suspension. It’s also the lightest and has a more luxurious interior inspired by the SLS supercar. It’s the first SL to get ‘Magic Sky Control’ which lets you alter how much light gets into the car when the roof is up, much like the sunroof on a Maybach. Fancy schmancy.

Renault Clio Williams

To celebrate the end of the current Renault Clio, the company have teamed up with F1 Team Williams to create the last hurrah, just like they did in 1993. It’s pretty much a RenaultSport Clio 200 but with a unique paint job, a better engine and a very special interior.

November 2012

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

There’s only going to be 150 of these so if you like the sound of the new Zagato then you better have the cheque book out. It’s based on the V12 Vantage but contains the design house’s luxurious cabin and has a carbon fibre body. Write £400,000 on that cheque before they’re auctioned for more.

Ford Fiesta ST

Available as a 3 door here in the UK and a 5 door in the US, the other ST from Ford has a 178bhp 1.6 Turbo petrol taking it to 60mph from standstill in under 7 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. Just because it’s a powerful supermini don’t go thinking it will guzzle petrol as it promises up to 40mpg. It should be a fantastic hot hatch especially since the current Fiesta is one of the best to drive. Prices will start at around £17,500.

Maserati Quattroporte

The new Maserati takes some of the looks of the odd looking Kubang and puts them in a much more gorgeous package. The new saloon is set to be even more desirable than the previous Quattroporte with an updated V8 and prices will start at £85,000.

December 2012

Alfa Romeo 4C

There’s a couple of great coupes joining the BRZ & GT-86 this December. The first is the 4C which has a beautiful Italian body and a carbon fibre chassis courtesy of KTM underneath. Power comes from a new 1.8 Turbo petrol producing nearly 300bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 5 seconds. The car’s target market is America which means it will come with Alfa’s twin-clutch automatic but an option of a manual would make it even better. Prices are expected to start from £40,000.

Jaguar C-X16

The second of the coupes is the C-X16 which is nicknamed “the new E-Type” all because it’s pretty much a new version of the old girl. Unlike the E-type, there’s a 375bhp 3.0 V6 mated to a 97bhp electric motor underneath which should keep the bank manager and your environmentally conscious friends happy but it’s not clear if the production version will get the electric motor.  0-60mph is around 4 seconds and the top speed is limited to 186mph with prices predicted to start at £50,000.

Volkswagen Beetle R

The Beetle returns at the beginning of the year and it’s aimed to appeal to us men. To make it appeal to men even more is this R version coming in December which has the same 2.0 TSI as the Golf GTI as well as more aggressive looks and bucket seats. Prices are expected to be around the same as the GTI which means it’s a good alternative if you find the Golf’s looks a bit boring.

So there you have it, 33 of quite a damn few new cars coming in 2012. We hope to test drive most of them plus more for you and with a growing team and site you’ll want to stay online with us.

Which car are you most excited about seeing this year? Let us know in the comments.

…oh, sorry, got caught up in Auto Show mode there.  I’m just glad we don’t have to deal with teaser images of a small SUV any more.  Look, I love auto show season.  Even after years of this, it still gets my blood going – who doesn’t like seeing new stuff for the first time?  But not everything that comes out at the auto shows are worth an entire article.  Thus, Car Throttle News Bites: Detroit Auto Show Edition.  If you missed the earlier coverage, you can find it under the Detroit 2012 Category.

Speaking of that Buick Encore, did you hear?  The Buick Encore is here!  Let’s get an Encore!  Buick’s small crossover debuted yesterday to the thunderous applause of… Alright, I’m stretching this.  The Encore is a tiny SUV, riding atop a stretched version of GM’s Gamma II architecture, so think Chevy Sonic or Opel Corsa.  Tiny?  Quite tiny.  A Sonic has a 99.4″ wheelbase and a 159″ overall length – the Encore is 100.6″ and 168.5.”  It’s pitched against other small luxury SUV’s like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.  Thanks to the transverse front-drive layout, it’s got more interior space than both.  Power comes from the same 1.4L Turbo EcoTec four-cylinder that powers the Cruze and Sonic, with 140 horsepower and 148lb-ft, hitched to a 6-speed auto.  It will come standard with front-drive, but AWD will be an option.  That’s great, but can we have an Insignia VXR shipped over here as a Grand National for Buick’s real “product renaissance” please?

Acura is another brand that’s trying to desperately re-invent themselves.  I’d say the sexy, high-tech NSX Concept is a great start, but they brought two other new products with them.  The new RDX (pictured above) is the second generation of the CR-V based luxury ute, and while the styling is familiar, under the hood is new.  Two things that have never really mixed: Hondas and turbos.  The old RDX was the only factory-turbo Honda in production, and despite decent power density (240bhp and 260lb-ft from 2.3L) it was a reliability concern – and a gas hog, at 19/24 for EPA numbers.  The turbo K-series is dropped in favor of a more conventional 3.5L J-series SOHC V6, which pulls off a triple crown of more power (273bhp), more cylinders (6), and better fuel economy (20/28).  It also gets a sixth gear in the box.  Although the looks are familiar, the new RDX is based on the fourth-generation CR-V now.  I guess my dream of a 2.3 Turbo Acura TSX isn’t going to happen.

Speaking of the TSX, this is it’s likely replacement.  It’s the ILX concept (can Acura go back to actual names now?  I know Integra is taken, but damn!), and it’s a preview of a new entry-level Acura.  Based on the current-generation Civic, this will leave a wider gap between the bottom Acura (TSX) and middle (TL) than before, when there was some overlap.  The ILX thankfully doesn’t look much like either the current Civic or the overstyled Acura TL; it’s actually an attractive design.  Word is the ILX will come with 3 powertrains.  First is a direct-injection 2.0L I4 with an automatic for base models.  The performance model (probably Type-S) will get the 2.4L VTEC 4-cylinder from the Civic Si/TSX, with a 6-speed manual.  And the ILX will be Acura’s first hybrid offering – with the 1.5L/IMA/CVT combo from the Civic Hybrid.  Can you believe Honda – the pioneer of Hybrid tech – has never made a hybrid Acura?

Honda presented the 2013 Accord Coupe Concept, which is an accurate preview of what the all-new 2013 Accord will look like.  Answer: somewhat disappointing, especially next to the new Fusion.  Still, crazy styling has never been the Accord’s forte, and that won’t change.  Like the current Civic, it looks more like an evolution of the outgoing model than something entirely new.  No weird rocket turbines under the hood either.  The base engine is a revised version of the 2.4L K-series, now with direct injection and a CVT (sigh), rated at 181bhp and 177lb-ft.  The 3.5L V6 remains, with 6 speed manual or autos.  Honda says the V6 makes more power (not how much), the auto gearbox gets another ratio, and V6/Autos will get cylinder shutdown.  At least you can still get a torque-steering V6/6spd coupe.  Bigger news is the Accord Plug-In Hybrid.  It uses a 2.0L Atkinson I4 combined with a 6 KwH lithium ion battery and a 120 Kw electric motor, putting power through a CVT.  This is Honda’s first parallel hybrid: that is, it can move on electric, gas, or combined power.  (Previous Honda hybrids just had the electric motor assisting the gas, basically).  They claim 10-15 miles on all electric power up to 62mph, and some quick recharge times: 4 hours on 120 volts, or 1.5 hours on 240 volts.  It’s no new S2000, but Honda’s gotta keep up with the Joneses.

With the new Fusion comes a new Lincoln version, called the MKZ.  Lincoln showed the next-generation MKZ concept today at Detroit, as an attempt to revive any kind of interest in the moribund Lincoln brand.  Compared to the Cadillac ATS (the MKZ’s likely competitor), it’s a bit of a weak showing – but at least the styling is noticeable now.  As to whether it’s in a good way, I’ll leave that up to you – but I think they should be doing something besides “make the baleen grille bigger” if they want to attract buyers.  Good stuff?  the Genesis-esque swell of the front end, stretched green house (terminating nearly at the end of the decklid), the panoramic glass roof, those pronounced “shoulders”, and the clean rear end.  The MKZ concept is an inch wider and 5″ shorter in wheelbase than the current version – giving it a squat stance that would look really nice without all that chrome.  The interior has the latest high-tech Ford stuff: a 10.1″ TFT display in the cluster, an 8″ touch screen in the dash, a push-button transmission(!), and poplar wood and satin metal trim with two-tone leather.  No word on powertrain – it’s “based on a new midsized sedan platform,” so it’s a Fusion, and FWD or AWD will be available.

In their continued attempts to scare off the enthusiasts that continually shout the brand’s merits to anyone who will (or won’t) listen, Volkswagen is introducing a Jetta Hybrid.  If you’re wondering “Why would they do that, they have a Jetta diesel?” then you’re not alone.  The gas-electric version of the milquetoast new Jetta is powered by a 150bhp 1.4 TSI engine, combined with a 20 Kw electric motor fed by a 1.1 KwH battery.  It uses a 7-speed twin clutch ‘box with decoupling, which allows the Hybrid to run on gas, electric, or both.  By the numbers: 170 combined horsepower, 1.3 miles on pure electric power up to 44mph, 220lbs heavier than a normal Jetta, 0-60 in around 9 seconds, and 45mpg (US) average fuel economy.  Sounds like a more complicated Prius; I’ll pass.  Why wouldn’t you just get the diesel?

Slightly goofier (and a lot cuter) is the E-Bugster concept.  Just the name is adorable.  The E-Bugster is a new Beetle with a chopped roof, A-pillars, blanked out rear windows, and an electric drivetrain.  Called E-Blue Motion, it’s a 114bhp (85kW) electric motor up front, and a lithium-ion battery in the back.  It’ll take 120 or 240v charges, can do 100 miles on a full charge, and if they make it, will be filling up parking lots at a Whole Foods near you soon.

Audi brought a concept and some news to Detroit. The concept is called the Q3 Vail.  The Vail is named after the ski resort by the same name in Colorado – so this Q3 is a winter-sports themed concept version of the production Q3 compact SUV.  The biggest difference between it and the normal Q3 is under the hood:  the 2.5L turbo I5 from the RS3 takes the place of the normal 4 cylinders, putting out 314bhp and 295lb-ft through a 7-speed twin clutch and AWD.  There are some other neat add-ons: what looks like an Audi-designed coffee mug in the cupholder, some flashlights mounted in a charging station in the back, and roof racks with wide-angle lighting up top.  I could dig an RS3-powered SUV; it would be pretty great for bombing around a ski town!

News?  Well, Audi will be bringing the A4 Allroad (pictured) to America next year.  The Allroad is an off-roady version of Audi’s regular wagons; the last one they sold here was the A6 Allroad in 2005.  The Allroad will be replacing the Avant in the US lineup, which brings light to an alarming trend:  manufacturers are slowly replacing their wagons with pseudo-off-roaders, even wagon stalwarts.  Audi won’t sell the Avant here, Subaru replaced the Legacy Wagon with the Outback, and we aren’t getting Volvo wagons much longer- the V60 doesn’t come here (though the dealer would be happy to sell you an XC60) and the regular V70 and V50 won’t be around soon.  Still, the Allroad is a pretty cool wagon – it will come standard with Quattro, a 2.0T, and an 8-speed automatic.

The other Audi news?  The brand will sell a version of the A8 large sedan in the US next year with the oddly-named 3.0T V6, which is most definitely supercharged.  This same engine is already under the hood of other cars in the US (S4, A6, Porsche Cayenne/Panamera Hybrid), and it will be sold in high-output form in the A8: 333bhp and 325lb-ft.  The A8 3.0T is the first six-cylinder A8 Audi will sell in the US, but with Mercedes and BMW both selling six cylinder versions of their largest sedans again (740i, S400) it makes some sense.

Hyundai’s stand featured two performance cars: the new turbo version of the Veloster (above) and the updated Genesis Coupe.  The nifty Veloster hatchback/coupe/thing has been met with a pretty resounding “meh” by the press, mainly for being about 25% as fun to drive as it is to look at.  Hyundai is looking to rectify that with the Veloster Turbo, aiming directly at fun-to-drive stuff like the Golf GTI and Mini Cooper S.  On paper, there’s a lot of promise – but the same was said about the regular Veloster.  Hardware?  The Turbo retains a 1.6L engine, which is boosted to high hell.  Direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, and a free flowing exhaust add up to 201bhp@6,000rpm, and 195lb-ft from 1,750-4,500rpm.  The Turbo will be available with a 6-speed manual or automatic, and Hyundai says the 3-pedal will do 27/38 for fuel economy numbers – handily beating the Si, GTI, and Cooper S.  There’s a more aggressive front bumper and foglights, turn signals in the mirror, and special wheels to differentiate it from the normal Veloster.

We’ve talked about the updated Genesis Coupe before, but Detroit saw the official debut of the facelifted, more powerful 2013 model.  The biggest outside change is the new front clip, bringing it more in line with the styling of the rest of Hyundai’s current range.  There are also LED taillights.  The bigger changes are under the hood: the 2.0L Turbo base model jumps from 210 to 275 horsepower, and 223 to 275lb-ft torque.  The 3.8L V6 now has direct injection, and is rated at 348 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque now.  Both models have standard 6-speed manual transmissions, with a new 8-speed automatic optional.  Hyundai says the new 3.8L Genesis Coupe will hit 60 in the low 5′s – right quick.  Other changes include interior refinements, recalibrated suspension, and a shorter steering rack ratio.

Photo via carscoop.blogspot.com

Chrysler brought a few other things to Detroit in addition to the new Dodge Dart.  That bizarre looking thing above is the Chrysler 700C concept, based on the underpinnings of the current Town & Country minivan.  It’s supposed to show the future of the minivan – assuming that the minivan actually has a future seems pretty bold, but it’s a pretty well-styled concept.

The Chrysler 200 might just be a rehashed Sebring with a nose job and new interior, but at least Chrysler’s trying to drum up some interest.  This is the Chrysler 200 Super S by Mopar, a concept showing off some of the factory accessories for the 300′s little brother.  It’s basically a body kit with some black satin trim, coilover suspension (on a 200?), and intake and exhaust mods.  If it’s got some Dre Beats speakers, Eminem would probably approve.

They also brought two concept Chargers to Detroit.  Pictured right is the Redline, which will be a three-stage upgrade package for the large sedan from Mopar.  (I guess since Saturn’s dead they don’t mind the stolen name?)  Stage 1 is cosmetic stuff and wheels, Stage 2 includes a strut tie bar, cat-back exhaust, and brake upgrades.  Stage 3 sounds like the most fun, with a non-street-legal Mopar 426(ci) Hemi crate motor.  This 7.0L V8 is a punched out version of the 6.4L SRT V8, with a hot cam and trick cylinder heads good for 590 horsepower.  Om nom nom.  The other is the Charger Beats, with – you guessed it – a “Beats by Dr. Dre” Stereo.  Fabulous.

And finally, by far the most exciting debut at Detroit – or at least, moreso than the Buick Encore – is this sick lawn tractor.  Called the Craftsman CTX, it’s the Sears brand “luxury” tractor, with amenities like cupholders, power steering, a push-button deck adjustment, and a blistering top speed of 8mph.  It’s appearance at NAIAS is just a publicity stunt by Craftsman, but an amusing one.  That is, except to GM bigwig Bob Lutz, who was not amused – he said “It’s an automobile show, stupid, not motorcycles or garden implements.  What’s next? Plumbing and bathroom fixtures? A Toto-toilet stand? An Art Van furniture stand?”  (Reuters).  Geez Bob, chill out.  Rumors that the CTX would have an optional LS9 V8 from the ZR-1 Corvette were apparently unfounded.  Hopefully Craftsman will realize soon the ultimate tractor luxury is burnouts.

Cadillac’s ATS has been circulating the rumor mill for a while now.  This small, rear-wheel-drive sedan is pitched directly against BMW’s all-conquering 3-series and Audi’s A4.  We’ve known a bit about it’s underpinnings for a while now -- it will sit on GM’s new Alpha RWD chassis, which fits below the Zeta RWD chassis -- G8, Camaro, CTS, etc.  GM announced what you’ll find under the hood, and there’s reason to get excited.  Not about the base model, which will be powered by a 2.5L I4 (likely the same one in the new Malibu, with 190bhp/180lb-ft).  No, the mid-level engine is what’s got me excited: the RWD ATS will have a 2.0L “LNF” turbo engine as an option.  This is the same direct-injection powerplant under the hood of the Regal GS, Cobalt/HHR SS Turbo, and Solstice GXP/Sky Redline models.  I’m a fan.  In the ATS, it’ll make 270 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque -- from 1,500-5,800rpm.  Top of the heap will be GM’s ubiquitous 3.6L 24v V6, making probably around 320bhp.  I’d skip the V6 and get the turbo 4.  The ATS debuts at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

Buick is bringing a new car to the Detroit show, as well.  Called the Encore (“Can I get an encore, do you want more, cookin’ raw with the Brooklyn Boss!), it’s a small “CUV” that will be positioned below the brisk-selling Enclave in Buick’s surprisingly desirable US lineup.  This right here?  This is the Encore’s headlight.  Are you excited yet?  Official debut is January 10th at Detroit.

Nissan announced two things they’re bringing to Detroit in a press release today, as well.  The first is a concept version of the next-generation Pathfinder SUV.  The current version (above) launched back in 2005, so an overhaul was expected.  It will likely be moving to a more car-like unibody construction with independent suspension, to lure in buyers that are leaning towards car-based SUV’s these days.  That’s kind of a shame, because the Pathfinder is one of the few “real truck”-based SUV’s left with actual off-road ability for a reasonable price.  (Well, it and the Toyota 4Runner.  The Grand Cherokee is now unibody, but it still has off-road chops.  Explorer?  Bah.)  The other is an electric version of Nissan’s NV commercial van.

Hyundai showed a teaser sketch of the concept car they’ll be bringing to Geneva in a few months, called the I-oniq.  Funny phonetic spelling aside, if you can tell what kind of car this is (hatchback?  Coupe?  Pickup truck?  Motorcycle?) then leave a comment in the box at the bottom, ’cause I haven’t the foggiest.  Thomas Bürkle, Hyundai’s European Chief Designer, says that “Two strong arched curves define the silhouette of I-oniq, creating a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features.”  I believe him.

Aston Martin has a pretty great business model.  They have one basic chassis (the Cygnet does not count) and two engines, but somehow they manage to get 14 models out of that.  Seriously!  DB9 Coupe/Volante, DBS Coupe/Volante, Virage Coupe/Volante, V8 Vantage Coupe/Roadster, V8 Vantage S Coupe/Roadster, Rapide, V12 Zagato, One-77, and V12 Vantage.  Well, it seems now they’ve figured out the perfect permutation of all those various parts.  That is, smallest chassis with the biggest engine and a folding roof.  Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, told GTSpirit last night that there will soon be a drop-top version of the droolworthy V12 Vantage (above), probably to debut at the Geneva Show.  Sure, it’s another combination from the same parts bin.  But it’s a delicious parts bin.  Link here.

Porsche’s new (991) 911 hasn’t been around long, but like any German sports car, there’s already tuning options available for it.  Well known Porsche tweaker TechArt released some pictures and details of their 991 parts today.  20 or 21″ wheels that are up to 15% lighter than the factory offerings, chrome tail pipes, and interior goodies like a three-spoke wheel with paddle shifters, custom leather trim, and some performance upgrades (yet to be announced) will be revealed at Geneva this year.  Man, that is a good picture, right?

And finally, the whimsical part of the news today: Hyundai released a pretty cool video of Rhys Millen drifting the pants off his Genesis Coupe in Hyundai’s abandoned headquarters in Fountain Valley, CA.  Watching him blow smoke rings around a security guard in a golf cart… fantastic.

That’s it for News Bites today!  See you tomorrow, readers!

Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe took everyone by surprise when it came out in 2009.  A brand previously known for building cheap, boring transportation appliances had given us a shapely rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with great weight balance, and a choice of two engines: a tuner-friendly 2.0L Turbo base model, and a 3.8L V6, both available with 6 speed manual or automatic transmissions.

In doing so, they pitched the GenCoupe directly against established musclecars like the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger – as well as against some import sports coupes like the Eclipse, Infiniti G35/G37, Nissan 350/370Z, and the BMW 1-Series.  It’s a tough crowd.  And while the Genesis still shines as a driver’s car, it doesn’t shine as brightly in comparison any more.  Almost all it’s competitors have gained extra muscle, so it’s time for an update.  The Mustang’s 4.6L 3v V8 used to compete against the Genesis’ 3.8L V8 (315bhp), but now their 3.7L 24v V6 does that, with 305bhp.  The Camaro V6 is up to 323bhp.  Even the Challenger, which has never been a ton of fun with a V6, now has 300+bhp.

Criticisms were also leveled at the base 2.0L Turbo.  While it’s a reasonable daily-driver engine, with 210bhp it was behind the bell curve for turbo technology, despite sharing a lot of DNA with the 4B11T in the Lancer Evo.  All these things have been fixed.

The 3.8L V6 gets the direct-injection setup that first showed up in the refreshed Genesis 3.8L sedan.  In that application it makes 333bhp; in the Coupe it’s tuned for more power – 350bhp and 295lb-ft, up 43bhp and 29lb-ft, respectively.  The 6-speed manual remains, but the 6-speed automatic is replaced by Hyundai’s new 8-speed automatic.

The 2.0L Turbo gets just the update you’d hope for – it’s swapped out for the direct-injected twin-scroll turbo unit that’s in the Sonata, Optima and Sportage.  This Theta II I4 gets a big jump over the old 4B11 – now up to 275bhp and 275lb-ft, an increase of 65bhp and 52lb-ft.  It too retains the 6-speed manual, and the 5-speed automatic has also been replaced by the Hyundai 8-speed unit.  With this much power, and direct injection, the new GenCoupe 2.0T could actually be a worthwhile option to the V6 – save some cash for modifications.

The Coupe also gets a mild facelift, with a front end that apes the Veloster sports car.  There’s a full-length hexagonal grille, more shapely headlights, and more aggressive air ducts – which fixes the one thing I didn’t like about the old Genesis, the awkward-looking front beak.  LED running lights and tail lights spruce up the exterior, and a new center console with the return of Hyundai’s weird “torque gauge” round out the changes.  Hyundai released all this data on the 2013 GenCoupe at the Korea Speed Festival in Yeongam this Saturday – there will probably be more pictures and details in the near future, so stay tuned!

Edit: more picture of the new GenCoupe in the Korean brochure added to the Gallery via carscoop.blogspot.com below.

A phrase I’m sure you’re tired of hearing: “Hyundai’s on a roll!”  Of course they are.  Sales are up.  Residuals are up.  They’re making cars that people want because they’re nice, not because they’re 10% cheaper and 50% better warrantied.  And now that Hyundai’s gone past cheap, they’re going for exciting.  Sort of.

The big thing for Hyundai is the Veloster.  So big in fact, they brought six of them.  But more interesting to me than the front-drive, Accent-based Veloster is the Genesis Coupe Hurricane SC concept.

The big news is the supercharger, if you missed it.  The Magnuson blower sits to the side of Hyundai’s 3.8L 24v V8, breathing 6-7psi of boost through an air-to-water intercooler on the top.  A set of Deutschworks 600cc injectors and a high flow fuel pump take care of the AFR’s, and an RMR exhaust and intake setup add power.  But this isn’t just a SEMA show toy, they went to lengths to ensure it can be driven hard without blowing up as evidenced by all the coolers.  Perma-Cool units were used for engine oil, power steering fluid, and differential fluid, with a MOCAL differential fluid pump.  A SPEC flywheel and Stage 2 clutch makes sure the blown V6 can put the power down, while a Torvec IsoTorque rear diff splits the power.

The bodywork is more extreme than RMR’s 5.0 Tau-swapped Genesis, and I’m not really a fan of the huge jutting front bumper.  All aero bits come from RMR, including the front bumper, side skirts, rear carbon decklid/spoiler, rear valence, hood and grille.  Enkei 19″ wheels (8.5″ front, 9.5″ rear) and Hankook tires, a Bilstein suspension setup with a Cusco strut brace help out the handling, and there’s a (probably necessary) Brembo brake upgrade at all four corners.  The interior gets a custom Katzkin suede treatment and a Harman/Lexicon stereo system, but is otherwise stock.  It’s a remarkably developed car considering it was made to show at SEMA.  Any guesses on if Hyundai will sell this supercharger setup as a warrantied add-on or a factory model?

As for the Velosters – I showed you pictures and a few details of two of them (the PM Design and ARK Performance models) in Part I of the preview post, but now we have real pictures and information on all six.  First up is the ARK Performance turbocharged one (pictured right), that looks a lot less crazy in the flesh.  The matte-black wrap is sinister, if a bit played out at this point, but the visible front-mount makes up for it.  The bright-green roll cage in the interior is pretty neat (visible through the windows), but I’m not sure if I’m totally sold on the bolt-on overfenders.

PM Design/UTI’s Veloster looks great.  the Smurf-blue on black paint scheme accentuates the Veloster’s lines nicely, and they got the stance just perfect – great offset, beefy tires, not overdone.  The interior is a trip, though.  Tan buckets with green Takata harnesses, and a Snap-On toolbox where the driver’s side rear seat would go.  There’s also a set of Snap-On tools, an amplifier, and a Nitrous Express bottle in the rear hatch, along with a subwoofer and some Royal Purple fluids.

Hyundai also brought 3 different Velosters done up by Remix, each with a theme:  Music, Gaming, and Technology.  They’re all fairly similar, so here’s the best looking one – this evil flat black audio-themed car.  It’s got a built-in guitar amp, suede interior surfaces, and an electric guitar hanging from the roof.  The bright green one is gaming-themed, and includes an XBox, wireless controllers, and a giant flat-screen TV in the trunk.  The monochromatic white one is tech-themed, and it’s got a Mac Mini built into the dashboard, on-board wifi, and a big flatscreen monitor with a keyboard and a mouse in the trunk.

If there’s a modified Hyundai somewhere, chances are RMR had something to do with it.  They were very busy for the SEMA show – another concept they presented is this tasty-looking Veloster RMR Rally car.  RMR first revealed their rally Veloster at the Chicago show in February, at that time with a 2.0L turbocharged motor, AWD, and 500bhp.  This is likely the 2WD version, but either way it looks wicked.

Gallery below with all the stuff that wouldn’t fit in between the text!

Finally.  This was bound to happen.  Hyundai sells two cars called Genesis -- the sedan and the coupe.  And while they’re somewhat related, they’re more different than similar under the skin.  So while the sedate (albeit good-looking, well-equipped, and well-priced) Genesis sedan and the related Equus uberlux liner enjoy the silent thunder of Hyundai’s 4.6L and 5.0L 32v Tau V8, the company line is that all that quad-cam V8 goodness just doesn’t fit under the hood of the smaller coupe.

This is a bummer.  The Genesis goes up against cars like the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger -- all of which offer gigantic V8′s with north of 400bhp -- and some north of 500bhp -- as upper level options.  The Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s 3.8L 24v V8 is pretty healthy, but lining up against a GT 5.0 at a stoplight is sure to end in tears.  Hyundai’s solution for this is the Hurricane concept -- a 3.8L with a Magnuson supercharger and air-to-water intercooler slapped on, for 450 horsepower.  That should be enough for a 0-60 somewhere in the 4′s, and fair races with GT 5.0′s, Challenger R/T’s, and Camaro SS’s.

But apparently with all this talk of the Tau just not fitting in the GenCoupe, no one actually tried to see if it would fit?  Because it appears that it does.  Ask RMR, or Rhys Millen Racing, who has been in the business of making stupid-fast Hyundais for a while now.

Yup, that sure looks like a 5.0L Tau V8 under the hood of a Genesis.  Called the RM500, the goal was to make it as smooth and OEM-looking as possible.  To that extent, the Tau V8 is largely stock -- then again, when “largely stock” means 429 horsepower, that’s ok.  One of the challenges with this swap is that no Tau V8 comes with a manual transmission attached, and as good as Hyundai’s new 8-speed auto is, it would be a bit odd in a GenCoupe.  So RMR fabricated a bellhousing adapter to mate the V6′s 6-speed manual to the 5.0L.  There’s also a lightweight flywheel and upgraded clutch to deal with the extra power.

Being a show car, it’s not rolling on stock wheels.  Silver HRE 793′s (19″, 8.5″ front 9.5″ rear) mount Hankook Ventus V12 tires (245/40 front, 275/35 rear), covering upgraded Brembo ceramic brakes -- 15.5″ 6-piston front, 15″ 4-piston in back.  They didn’t bother to slam the hell out of it, because it’s already a GenCoupe with a Tau V8.  Other modifications include a custom RMR Stainless dual exhaust with GReddy SE Titanium rear box, a differential cooler, and an oil cooler.  Along with an AEM tune, the 5.0 now kicks out 449 horsepower.

The body isn’t extreme either.  A full RMR carbon-fiber bodykit blends in well with the black paint, and includes front and rear valences, side skirts, a spoiler, grill, and yellow fog lights with brake ducts.  Inside there’s an RMR suede package, Sparco Chrono Trip seats on RMR tracks, an RMR steering rack extension, and a leather shift knob.

Now that we know it’s possible, I’m anxiously awaiting the first time I see a Tau-swapped GenCoupe at a drift event.  With a big twin-screw blower sticking out of the hood.  Get it done, aftermarket!

The yearly SEMA (Special Equipment Manufacturers Association) show happens in Las Vegas.  That’s enough reason to want to go to it.  But more than the exotic locale (way better than, err, Detroit), SEMA is a hotbed of aftermarket parts.  If you’re inclined to think this is a no-big-deal sort of affair, that’s not the case.  The SEMA show attracts so much attention that manufacturers themselves have been getting into the SEMA game for a few years now, whether directly or through various 3rd party companies.

There are so many “new car” debuts prior to SEMA that I would literally flood your RSS feed with them.  I don’t want to do that.  Plus, I can’t write an entire article about a Chevy Sonic with a bodykit.  So here are some of the goods that are coming out at SEMA this year, split up into two convenient posts for your reading pleasure, by manufacturer.

Chevrolet is bringing a whole bunch of Sonics and Cruzes decked out with aftermarket goodies.  This is a definite change from the Sonic’s predecessor, the Aveo – to which the best modification would be the addition of plastic explosives.  Above is the Z-Spec #1, which has Torch Red paint, a mild bodykit, and a vinyl job.  There are also upgraded 4-piston front brakes, a new exhaust, and suspension bits – as well as a short shifter, flat-bottomed wheel, etc.  The Z-Spec #2 (white one) has all the same upgrades but with a more aggressive body kit.

Chevy will also be bringing two other Sonics to SEMA – the Z-Spec 4D (with the same modifications as the two 5-door concepts) and a Sonic Dusk, which is a dark blue with 18″ wheels, etc.  There will also be a Cruze Z-Spec and a Cruze Dusk concept to match the Sonic concepts – both of which get Z-Spec body kits, 18″ wheels, and interior modifications (like the shifter, flat-bottom wheel, and specific trim) as well.

Chevy is also showing a pair of concept Corvettes at SEMA – the Carlisle Blue Grand Sport, and the Ron Fellows Z06 Hall of Fame Tribute.  The Carlisle Blue concept (pictured) features a new paint color that will be available on the Corvette next year, as well as a set of staggered-size wheels (18″ front, 19″ rear) called Torque 2′s that will be available soon.  There are also six-piston brakes, a dry-sumped LS3 under the hood, Magnaride shocks, and a lot of aesthetic goodies.  The Ron Fellows edition Z06 is a Z07 package car built to honor the Corvette Racing driver’s induction into the Corvette Hall of Fame, and features a lot of cosmetic enhancements like a raised carbon hood, black headlight housings, and a custom interior.

Chevrolet will also bring no less than four Camaro concept cars to SEMA.  Two of them are just sticker, paint and alloys type of deals – the Red Zone and Synergy concepts – but the 1LE and ZL-1 Carbon concepts are more interesting.  The Carbon concept (pictured right) is a regular ZL-1 Camaro – all 580 supercharged horsepower of it – with a smattering of carbon fibre trim to liven it up.  Carbon fibre gills in the hood lump and a carbon rear spoiler along with a set of lightweight 20″ wheels (10″ front, 11″ rear) give the ZL1 a meaner appearance, and the massive two-piece front Brembo rotors with 6-piston calipers will probably help the heavy ZL-1 slow down.  There’s also a lot of suede and carbon-fibre (with a flat-bottom wheel, which Chevy is apparently fond of) inside.  The other interesting concept – the 1LE package – combines parts from the SS and ZL1 Camaro to make a more track-ready SS.  It adds a lot of things not normally available on the SS- Magnetic Ride Control, ZL1 rolling stock, the same two-piece front rotors with six-piston calipers, a ZL-1 style active dual exhaust in a diffuser, and some ZL1 interior pieces.  Chevrolet says the 1LE could become a production option, and I certainly don’t see why not – the SS could benefit from the ride and handling improvements that Magnaride offers.

Mopar is bringing a bevy of concept to SEMA as well.  Pictured above is the Challenger ACR concept, made to celebrate the defunct Viper ACR’s recent ‘Ring lap time record.  It has a pile of Mopar performance accessories to make it go, turn, and stop faster: a cat-back exhaust, long-tube headers, and a short throw shifter help with the accelerating, while a set of adjustable coilovers as well as front and rear strut braces help the big Dodge turn.  Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires provide the grip.  The black-on-white color scheme with a single red stripe and mirror caps is pretty menacing, as well.  Inside, the rear seats are gone, and front buckets with harness pass-throughs, a roll cage, and a flat-bottom wheel make it lighter and more focused.  Dodge:  build it!

Less interesting, but far more, umm, orange is the Durango Tow Hook concept.  (Tow Hook?  Why?)  It’s basically a Durango painted really freaking orange with a black roof, huge wheels, and 25mm lower ride height.  There’s apparently a custom orange interior, which I can’t wait to see, and the Hemi makes lovely noises through a Corsa cat-back exhaust.

Since Chrysler and Fiat are now linked at the hip, the Mopar boys are bringing a pair of tuned Fiat 500 concepts to SEMA as well, although they didn’t bother to release any pictures other than a close-up of a headlight.  The 500 Titanium will feature a matte Titanium paint finish, 16″ two-piece alloy wheels, a body kit, and lowered suspension and upgraded brakes.  the 500 Carbon will of course have a bunch of carbon-fibre components attached to it; stay tuned for pictures and info on these two.

In the “not too surprising” category is the Ram SRT 392 Quick Silver concept.  Dodge isn’t exactly unfamiliar with the fast-truck genre; they basically invented it with the late 70′s “L’il Red Express.”  And for a while they were scaring the bejeesus out of unsuspecting passengers with the Viper-powered Ram SRT-10, all 8.3L and 500bhp of it.  The SRT 392 Quicksilver is exactly what you’d guess- a single cab Ram R/T that’s had the SRT Group’s 392ci (6.4L) Hemi V8 shoved under the hood.  With 470 horsepower, plus a cold-air intake and a set of long tube headers with electronic cutouts added (mmm!), this concept truck seems like a no-brainer, considering Ford has abandoned the fast-truck market.  Turning and stopping are improved with custom suspension providing a 2″ drop, while 15″ rotors are pinched by Brembo 6-piston calipers up front.  The truck rides on 22″ alloy wheels with massive meats – 275/45/R22 front and 305/40/R22 rear.

Honda hasn’t exactly been on a roll lately with cars appealing to drivers, but that doesn’t mean the aftermarket is any less fond of them.  The new 2012 Civic Si is just rolling into dealerships now, and here’s a crazy widebody boosted one already.  The biggest change for the 2012 Si was the replacement of the high-revving torqueless 2.0L K20Z3 with the larger 2.4L K24Z7 that can be found under the hood of the Acura TSX.  On paper, I’m not a huge fan – it’s only got 4 more horsepower than the old one, and while the much higher torque output at low rpm’s is nice for a daily driver, I’d rather have my high-winding 8,000+ rpm Honda engine back.

Add in some boost though, and the story is different.  With more displacement and a lower compression ratio, the new K24 is a natural for some turbocharging, which is just what Fox Marketing did.  They claim their intercooled turbocharger setup is good for 450 horsepower (more than double the original amount) while retaining Honda civility and reliability.  I just want to experience how much torque steer a 2.4L, turbocharged Civic with a helical LSD has.

Being a SEMA show car, there is of course a wide-body kit, gigantic wheels and tires, custom paint and interior work, and stickers everywhere.  But I mostly am interested in that boosted K24.  Do want.

Hyundai will also have a pretty full stand.  The Genesis coupe has been with us for two years now, and it’s a great car, but like most other cars, it could use another hundred horsepower or so.  Hyundai (with the help of Magnuson, Rhys Millen Racing (RMR), Harman and Torvec) has just the thing: the Genesis Coupe Hurricane concept.

Beyond the badass matte-black paint and huge wheels, what’s important is under the hood.  The Genesis 3.8′s V6 engine, which normally makes 306 horsepower, is boosted by a Magnuson supercharger breathing through an air-to-liquid intercooler to the result of more than 450 horsepower.  Helping put all that supercharged grunt down is a new IsoTorque limited slip differential and 19″ Enkeis with sticky Hankooks.  (No Goodyears?  Hey, gotta keep it KDM, son!)  A new exhaust provides more growl, and six-piston Brembos with cross drilled rotors help with the stopping.  Finally, an RMR front clip and a Lexicon stereo amp up the pimpin’ factor.

The big news for the slanted H this year is the Veloster, though.  So Hyundai is bringing a few tuned Velosters to whet the appetite of the aftermarket.  First up is the turbocharged, wide-body ARK Veloster.  The engine gets a twin-scroll turbocharger and intercooler, oil cooler, custom turbo manifold, underdrive pulleys, and new exhaust from the turbo to the tips.  There’s also a six-piston braking system, a roll cage, and a pretty comprehensive suspension overhaul – including coilovers, sway bars, camber plates and adjustable control arms, and a strut tie bar.  ARK claims 210bhp for their turbocharged version of the Veloster’s 1.6 GDI motor, up from 138 stock.  Considering the factory Veloster Turbo will have 208bhp, this is right on point.  Then there are the cosmetic modifications, which basically replace everything but the roof.  Looks wicked.

The other Veloster that will be on Hyundai’s stand is a partnership between PM Design and UTI technical school.  This bright-blue on black Veloster was designed to showcase the kind of modifications people can do in their own garages.  To that point, it’s mostly a lot of bolt-on modifications.  Power comes from an AEM intake and a Magnaflow exhaust with high-flow cat, as well as a Nitrous Express giggle gas setup.  Preventing it from blowing up are an external oil cooler, Flex-A-Lite radiator and thermostat, and a SPEC clutch.  There’s also the usual chassis mods – big brake kit, KW coilover suspension, and 18″ Konig wheels.  PM Design claims 163 horsepower for their Veloster; presumably before the hit of nitrous.  On the outside, a custom BASF paint job mixes with some Seibon carbon-fibre goodies to increase the pimp factor.  Nicely done on this one.

Over at the Kia division, work continues (quite successfully, I might add) on ridding Kia of it’s barrell-scraper image.  To help with that, Kia is bringing two concepts to SEMA, a new Rio Hatchback (pictured left) and a Forte (below.)  The Rio is surf-themed, but to me it just looks like a stanced-out Rio Hatch with a roof-rack.  The paint is custom golden-brown, and there’s a wooden front splitter to match the surf board on the roof.  The Rio is obviously dropped to the ground on some sort of aftermarket suspension, with a set of gold-hued 3-piece 17″ wheels.  Is this the first stanced-out new gen Rio?  If so, the future is looking great for Kia’s smallest car, whose previous claim to fame was “cheapest, nastiest new car you can buy.”  Both of these concepts were made in conjuction with Antenna Magazine, who outfitted the trunk of the Rio concept with a custom “entertainment center” that can play 80′s arcade games and records.  Why?  Well, why not I suppose.

The Forte Concept is hockey-themed, which is also odd.  Built off of the newish Forte 5-door hatchback, the concept has the front clip from the Forte Koup SX grafted onto it, which is actually pretty good looking.  On the outside, there’s custom “Aviator Gray” paint and some very blue 18″ alloy wheels along with a custom body kit, a carbon fibre roof, lowered suspension, quad tailpipes (one for each cylinder?) and LED accents.  Inside, a miniature air-hockey table slides out of the hatch – maybe it’s the cargo cover when it’s inside? – and there is of course a hockey-stick holder in the interior.  The rear seats are individual buckets, and there are 7″ LCD screens in the back of the headrests hooked up to a PS3.  Pretty standard show car stuff, but I vote that Kia starts slapping Koup SX bumpers on 5-doors, pronto.

Mazda is bringing a pair of concepts to SEMA as well:  an ultralight-weight Miata concept like they’ve been teasing us with for years, and a turbocharged Mazda 2 hot hatch.  Mazda didn’t give a lot of details on either concept, so I’ll put on my conjecture hat.  The Miata Spyder has a much more aggressive looking front fascia grafted onto the current NC chassis Miata, with a grille opening that looks like it was borrowed directly from the RX-8.  There’s also a Boxster Spyder-style tent where the roof would normally be, presumably because it weighs less.  They say it has a “new, more aggressive look” – and that’s about it.

I’m more interested by the Mazda2 Turbo.  Mazda’s PR department says it combines “one of our most powerful, turbocharged engines in our lightest platform.”  (That’s no lie – the Mazda2′s curb weight is actually lower than that of the Miata, closer to 2,000 pounds than 2,500.)  What could that mean?  If I’m guessing (and I am!), I’d say there’s a 2.3 DISI-Turbo under the hood, the 2.3L direct-injected, turbocharged and intercooled I4 that powers the MazdaSpeed3 and the CX-7.  If the weight is kept around 2,200lbs, this 263bhp motor would make for an absolutely wicked little beast.  More details on this toy very soon.

I’ll cover the rest of the preview posts for SEMA in part II of this, so stay tuned!  SEMA opens it’s doors tomorrow, so there will likely be more cool stuff rolling out afterwards as well.

The Hyundai Veloster is a unique creation if there ever was one. It is remarkably adventurous endeavor for a mainstream company like Hyundai. We can admit to not being fans of it at first (to put it mildly). But, as is the case with a lot of things the Veloster’s looks have grown on us over time. We still aren’t completely sold on it yet though; we’ll have to wait until we see one in person.

The latest news from Hyundai Like Sunday, a company blog, indicates that we won’t have to wait too long to do that. The Veloster is arriving at Hyundai dealerships around the country, and the first one has been delivered to customer Daniel Jenkins. Based on the Elantra and powered by an 138 horsepower four-cylinder, the Veloster is aimed squarely at hipsters. That engine doesn’t seem to offer much power, but it helps that the Veloster only weighs 2,584 pounds.

With a hidden door, hatchback and coupe-like looks there is no telling how the car will fare sales-wise. At an $18,060 base price though, it definitely offers a lot of value for the money. A prime competitor would seem to be the MINI, although there really isn’t a defined category. What do you guys think about the Veloster? Let us know in the comments.

Hyundai followed an interesting strategy with the previous-generation compact Elantra. The United States demands that manufacturers offer traditional four-door sedan iterations. In Europe though, Hyundai’s offering in the segment is hatchback-only and known as the i30.

In order to offer a hatchback Elantra here in the U.S, Hyundai imported the i30 from Europe and called it the Elantra Touring. That gave the Touring model a much different feel than the standard Elantra model. This time around, Hyundai says it plans to offer a Touring model yet again. Until now we haven’t seen what it looked like however. Hyundai has released a few images of the i30 ahead of a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

This time around, the Elantra and i30 don’t look quite as different as before. The biggest difference is the grille, which features chrome bars on the i30. We aren’t fans of those.

The lessened differentiation is thanks to the spread of Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design language around the world. Some things never change though, and the i30 is a bit more upscale in implementation than the Elantra. It offers extras like projector-beam headlights and an LED lighting graphic up front. The interior is also more traditional in design.

We’ll get a look at the rear end of this car when it debuts at Frankfurt. No word on Hyundai on when (or even an 100% confirmation of if) this car will be arriving on our shores.