The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec is, with a starting price of $23,750 and manual-tranny-only option, a hot and proper little rear-drive coupe for tuners on a budget. With a Mitsubishi-sourced engine block (most closely associated with the Mitsubishi Ralliart though, which is different from the more structurally sound EVO X block) and stock turbocharging, power levels reaching into 350hp+ is certainly possible and safe with mostly bolt-ons we'd wager.

The block is of open-deck design however, so too much boost could warp the cylinders, and we're not sure how friendly your  local Hyundai dealer would be if they see an upgraded turbo and 3" straight exhaust bolted on your Genesis Coupe and you're coming in with a burnt-out clutch asking for a replacement under warranty...

Actually, that's the dilemma new-car tuners face everyday: serious mods that get you decent power gains are hard to hide and if they catch you with 'em they'll void that sweet little warranty you were excited about when you bought your first new sports car.

Actually, here's an  interesting little illustration (according to our experience) of the progression most new car tuners go through and that we figure most serious Genesis coupe tuners will as well.

1. Buy new tuner-friendly turbocharged car. Keep relatively stock, maybe add a manual boost controller and ecu reflash but no exhaust. Try to remove/hide said mods when going into the dealer for service.

2. Have a close call with the dealer and realize it ain't worth risking your warranty by going to the dealer (plus it's expensive) so you start doing all oil changes and stuff yourself. 

3. Figure that if you aren't gonna go to the dealer at all, then you might as well start really tuning your car (full straight-pipe exhaust, turbo-upgrade, injectors, standalone, headwork etc.) and you're happy for a while

4. Sooner or later something big breaks: the stock clutch wears out, something's not right with the tranny, you can't clear an engine code etc. and realize this hobby of yours will cost more than you expected because you can hardly take the car to the dealer, so you will have to fork up the cash for aftermarket mods and fix everything yourself, or pay a shop.

5. You put in many a thousand Dollars in your tuner car, and at this point it's fast as freakin' hell, and you're in love.

6. More things start to break (or you stuff the car into the wall) when you get into some competitive events (track days, time trials, drag racing etc.) and warranty/insurance won't help you of course.

7. Realize you have other places you'd rather put your money (or that maybe just maybe you should start saving for that house, engagement ring, etc.) and sadly realize you must part with your pride and joy but don't know how much you can sell it for.

8. Realize your pride and joy is worth a whole lot less than you put into it, and you take a big loss on the sale.

9. You become older and wiser and richer over a period of years.

10. Get the tuning/racing itch again and start over, except this time you can actually afford the hobby. And hopefully your partner/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/gold-digger will support you.

The end.

Here's the complete specs of the car by the way, courtesy of Hyundai:

    Production R-Spec to Debut at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas

    FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., oct. 27, 2009 – The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec, the perfect blank canvas for tuners, priced at $23,750 is beginning to arrive at dealerships across the country. R-Spec takes the core performance equipment from the 2.0T Track model and eliminates non-essential convenience equipment to reduce both cost and weight. The Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec – the first production R-Spec model to arrive in the U.S. – will make its world debut at the Hyundai booth at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 3 – 6 (Booth # 24387).

    The R-Spec allows enthusiasts to tune their own car to their desired specifications. R-Spec provides genuine track-readiness and powertrain scalability in an affordable model. The R-Spec adds core Track model performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as: Track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance Summer tires, Brembo® braking system, Torsen® limited-slip differential and R-Spec badging.

    In a special nod to tuners, R-Spec will also receive a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts (dealer installation - optional for customer to install) to further enhance initial turn-in and handling response. To reduce both cost and weight, the R-Spec eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as: Bluetooth®, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. Genesis Coupe R-Spec is priced $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades. Appropriately, R-Spec will be available in three exteriors colors most common among international racing teams: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. R-Spec comes with manual transmission only.

    R-Spec equipment includes:

    · 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph

    · 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission

    · Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist

    · 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)

    · Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)

    · Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)

    · Torsen-type limited-slip differential

    · R-Spec badging

    · Tire Pressure Monitoring System

    · Front, side, side curtain air bags

    · Active front head restraints

    · Driver's lumbar support

    · Air conditioning

    · Remote keyless entry system

    · Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

    · Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors

    · AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers

    · iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity

    · Projector beam headlamps

    · Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

    · Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec