With the extra power on tap, we found the Turbo to be very forgiving. Shifting too soon and landing too low in the revs was not a huge problem. Just lay into the accelerator, and the forced induction makes up for any errors. Yes, we were surely slower when we did that, but the engine didn’t feel like it was penalizing us too much for a small error or circumstantial necessity.
The dynamic performance of the Elantra Coupe never really came together. The steering, while decently weighted, lacked a real sense of feedback. Although things felt okay on-center, it was difficult to garner feedback through the steering wheel in the bends. To be frank, we found ourselves guessing as to what the front tires were doing as we zipped through the Irish Hills.
This week we give you a tour of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec. Turn your speakers up for the second half of the video when we open up the taps on the 348-horsepower, 295-pound-foot V-6.
In this week’s video, we take out BMW’s stunning 650i Convertible.
Today we show you around the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO.
The car’s 5.0-liter V-8 its a superb engine, whether you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry, or just cruising in laidback comfort. The gas pedal offers some travel to play with, so you aren’t chirping the tires at every stoplight. Step hard on the pedal, though, and the Equus will happily launch forward with urgency. It accelerates smoothly, even when done fast, and the little bit of engine noise that makes its way to your ears sounds robust and sonorous, never harsh or loud. The attached eight-speed automatic transmission helps to change gears quickly and smoothly, without interrupting the linear feel of the acceleration.
So where does the Genesis sit in the coupe spectrum? Well, the honest answer is everywhere. We’ll elaborate on what we mean later, but suffice it to say that this is a vehicle that’ll appeal to a variety of buyers.
This week we drive the 2012 Hyundai Azera.
If you can get over the engine (and I can), then the Azera is an excellent big sedan. Its ride balances being smooth and quiet without feeling completely detached from the road like a Toyota Avalon or Buick Lacrosse. Wind and road noise are well controlled, as well.
The 3.8-liter engine gets you moving quickly once the eight-speed trans finds the right gear. Soft suspension and numb, lightweight steering compromise sporting intentions. Decidedly more luxury sedan than sports sedan. There’s more “rear-wheel-drive” feeling here than is allowed to come through in most large luxury sedans though. You’ve got to push harder in the 3.8 than you would in the beastly 5.0-liter V-8 car to find it, but that rear end is willing to play if you’re willing to keep your foot down.
It’s been a darn good year for the auto enthusiast. We’ve seen the launch of an all-new BMW 3-Series, the hugely anticipated Scion FR-S, a worked-over Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and a bevy of other new performance cars. One of the biggest names, that we’re stuck waiting on until the end of the year, is the all-new Ford Focus ST.
Hyundai has given a massive revamp to its Santa Fe range at this year’s New York Auto Show. Two different body styles and three different engines are just a few of the changes for 2013.
My wife, Catheryn, and I recently spent the week in Arizona visiting some family. Our car for the week: a Vitamin C (read: orange—and it got a lot of looks from passersby) Hyundai Veloster. I was happy to finally get a chance to spend some time with the car, as I had missed out on any decent driving when we had it at our Michigan office. When I picked up the vehicle, I was instantly impressed.
Thanks to leaked photos of a South Korean brochure up on HyundaiBlog, we now have a pretty clear picture of what the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will look like when it is officially launched at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.
Hyundai has given us a peek at its I-oniq concept car ahead of its full reveal at the Geneva Motor Show later this month.
Based on the same platform as corporate partner Hyundai’s Genesis and Equus, Kia’s first rear-wheel-drive product should be compatible with the same 5.0-liter V-8s we’ve tested in the Equus and Genesis.
Hyundai has done with the Azera what it did with the Sonata, Genesis, and Equus. It’s built a car that is exceptionally styled, packed with technology and standard features, and bestowed with a comfortable, quality driving character. Considering the last-generation Azera’s anonymity, this new car represents a significant leap forward for Korea’s largest car manufacturer.
When we tested the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, we mentioned we were at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, in Pahrump, Nevada, roughly an hour west of the Las Vegas Strip. With multiple track configurations, including kart-specific setups, Spring Mountain is a gearhead’s paradise. Track distances range from 3.4 miles for the full course layout, to a half-mile for the smallest karting layout.
In the newest issue of Winding Road, we drive the updated Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which promises to bring stiff competition to American muscle. Plus, we scrutinize a lot of other great cars this month.