New Innotech track-day machine, Hyundai Pikes Peak racer and tweaked Impreza WRX STI

[Wouter Melissen]

Czech specialist manufacturer Innotech have released the brand-new Aspiron track-day machine. It is built around a bespoke tubular steel spaceframe chassis and can be ordered with a choice of GM-sourced V8 engines. These range in power from 500 bhp of the base unit to 1000 bhp of the heavily tweaked supercharged LS9 V8. This power is fed to the rear wheels through a Ricardo 6-speed manual gearbox. The Aspiron will be built to custom order with prices starting at EUR 114,000 or $ 149,000. The new Innotech will make its first public appearance at next week's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
One of the main rivals of Sebastien Loeb and his record-breaking Peugeot 208 T16 at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was Rhys Millen with this spectacular Hyundai PM580-T. Like the Peugeot, the purpose-built Hyundai featured a steel spaceframe chassis with a mid-mounted V6 engine, which was good for a startling 900 bhp. Millen set a time of 9:02.192 in the Genesis PM580-T, which was an improvement of nearly 44 seconds compared to his 2012 time but not enough to match Loeb's record smashing 8:13.878.
Especially for the Japanese market, Subaru have developed the limited edition Impreza WRX STI tS Type A. Only 300 examples will be available of the Type A, which combines a revised body-kit complete with a unique orange paint-scheme and a more poised suspension setup. Optional on the Impreza WRX STI tS Type A is the NBR Challange package, which celebrates Subaru's recent outings in the Nurburgring 24 Hours races.

Enjoy the links:

2013 Hyundai Genesis PM580-T - Images, Specifications and Information

2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS Type A - Images, Specifications and Information

2013 Innotech Aspiron - Images, Specifications and Information

[Sledgehammer]

Does Europe have the Genesis Coupe as its known in the US?

[Ferrer]

Does Europe have the Genesis Coupe as its known in the US?

Hyundai imported a small batch of pre-facelift Coupes for Europe, both the turbo four and the V6, and that was that. We do not get the facelifted model, AFAIK.

I suspect they were a tough sell.

[Sledgehammer]

Hyundai imported a small batch of pre-facelift Coupes for Europe, both the turbo four and the V6, and that was that. We do not get the facelifted model, AFAIK.

I suspect they were a tough sell.

Other than the problems with the look with the "facelift" of which I would call more of a remodel as it is quite ugly, the coupe has made too many sacrifices to appeal to too broad of a market to be loved by any type of motorist. It is too big and weights too much for the purist. It is too impractical for those looking for a fun car with room.

[Ferrer]

Other than the problems with the look with the "facelift" of which I would call more of a remodel as it is quite ugly, the coupe has made too many sacrifices to appeal to too broad of a market to be loved by any type of motorist. It is too big and weights too much for the purist. It is too impractical for those looking for a fun car with room.

Well it was always going to face an uphill battle in Europe.

It is too large, too expensive and too thirsty, especially considering it comes from a car maker with no pedigree at all, and the car isn't iconic or different.

I'm pretty sure the Camaro, despite being even bigger, thirstier and more expensive, outsells/outsold it.

[Sledgehammer]

Well it was always going to face an uphill battle in Europe.

It is too large, too expensive and too thirsty, especially considering it comes from a car maker with no pedigree at all, and the car isn't iconic or different.

I'm pretty sure the Camaro, despite being even bigger, thirstier and more expensive, outsells/outsold it.

I disagree that Hyundai has no pedigree unless you mean strictly racing pedigree which to me doesnt account for much reason to pick one road car over another (I am not going to buy a Peugeot believing it to be as fast as their LMP1). But they have done a hell of a lot of improvement in the last 10 years in the US market and I would have no qualms owning one. Their current sales numbers are nearly identical with Nissan.

The difference between the Camaro and the Genesis are pretty large when it comes to practicality. If you have ever sat or looked at the Genesis, the backseat is laughable for anyone with legs, and the truck space is barely large enough to fit two duffel bags.

I think that the Genesis Coupe missed the targeted mark. If they made the car more similar to a larger Miata with the v4t or v6, it would have been a hell of a fun car. Eliminate the back seat and go on a diet both height, weight, and width. I think it would smoke the Toyobaru.

[Ferrer]

Oh, modern Hyundais are very good, I agree. We have one (an i30) and it's a brilliant handling car with a superb price tag and a nice smooth engine.

But when it comes to serious performance cars, no one thinks of Hyundai when shopping for them (at least in Europe). They also have an image of cheap, economy cars, which are practical and reliable. It is an image that they are overcoming slowly, but the Genesis Coupé was possibly too much of a stretch.

Then there was also the problem of the limited batch of cars imported as well as no media presence whatsoever. So pretty much nobody who was in the market for a performance car knew of them. I think that Hyundai made this move to test the waters, but it is still too early for a car like the Genesis Coupé in Europe.

The Camaro is equally a niche car, but it is a known quantity. The people who want one are not going to settle for anything else; meaning they are not going to accidentally end up hot hatch because they cross-shopped it with a muscle car. Therefore it is much more "successful" than the Genesis - despite the same lack of advertising or presence in the media.

[Sledgehammer]

Along with niche, I think brand loyalty is another reason the coupe doesn't see much success. Despite its acclaim in magazine articles, media presence is null. It hasn't even made it to the rungs of EVO or Top Gear, AFAIK. Even though the v6 is good for large hp numbers as seen be those who strap tt's to the V6, or use in events like pikes peak, your right Hyundai and performance don't naturally go hand in hand.

[Ferrer]

I don't recall ever seeing it in any car magazine/car website/car TV show that I've seen, other than to announce it was being imported.

Also, a black Coupé languished in a dealer in Barcelona for months. I still remember seeing it, sitting there unloved.

If I had been in the market for a car back then I would've at least considered it.

[Cobrafan427]

Even though the v6 is good for large hp numbers as seen be those who strap tt's to the V6, or use in events like pikes peak, your right Hyundai and performance don't naturally go hand in hand.

Rhys Millen really hopped on board the Hyundai bandwagon, that's been his maker of choice for 4 or 5 years now. Does he have much of a following in Europe? Also, is drift popular? If so then the Genesis should have been familiar with that type of demographic.

Another little tidbit of info, Hyundai prepared an Accent rally car for the WRC in the mid 2000's

[Ferrer]

Rhys Millen really hopped on board the Hyundai bandwagon, that's been his maker of choice for 4 or 5 years now. Does he have much of a following in Europe? Also, is drift popular? If so then the Genesis should have been familiar with that type of demographic.

Another little tidbit of info, Hyundai prepared an Accent rally car for the WRC in the mid 2000's

Drifting hasn't got a following here and nobody knows who Rhys Millen is.

By the way, they are also preparing a new entry in the WRC, based on the i20, although I don't know what's the state of the project.

[Cobrafan427]

By the way, they are also preparing a new entry in the WRC, based on the i20, although I don't know what's the state of the project.

Now that you mention it i do remember seeing that. It had a blue livery with black rims