Here's a pic and article on the Hyundai:

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshow...e-concept.html

Also, since we are making comparisons, here's one on the V6 Mustang:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...stang-v-6.html

Even with a crappy engine, the Mustang is only a half second off the upcoming Hyundai, and rated better than a lot of the so-called foreign sporty cars. I've got to believe GM is going to put a decent V6 in the Camaro, so again, I'd put my money on the Camaro v. Hyundai. And with even only a "lowly" L76 V8, I would think there would be no contest against the top Hyundai.

 

But it sold pretty well even when it DID have direct competition (ie....the F-body).

I'm not argueing with ya Charlie....we hold very similar views...but its pretty evident to me that the average idiot that buys a Mustang or Camaro (or Challenger for that matter) isn't going to care that it weighs xxx amount more than you or I think it should.

Bob

 

Tks for the reference....disappointing as it is.

 

Yeah, but I'm sure it'll sell in some volume, no matter what.

Off the top of my head, let's call the North American coupe market a 350,000 unit niche, annually. Mustng gets the lion's share at about 150,000. Hopefully Camaro at 100,000. Challenger at 50,000. Then we have Eclipse, Accord, Camry, the new Altima coupe, the Tiburon which will be sold along side the Genesis, 350Z, G37 and about another couple dozen coupes in the 15,000 to 35,000 dollar range.

This Hyundai WILL take a piece of this pie and it probably will come out of the hides of one or all of these coupes.

 

I suspect the "niche" is growing. I can't imagine all the manufacturers making the effort they are in bringing new coupes to market if they didn't think it was worth their while.

The "empty-nester" demographic must be growing and the echo generation is probably getting a little more affluent as well.

In addition, while this segment of cars isn't exactly "fuel-sipping", they are a lot more frugal than the average truck or SUV.

 

I suspect you're right.

 

Based on its styling it seems more of threat to Eclipse, Accord, Camry, the new Altima coupe, 350Z, G37... heck even the BMW 3-series... than to Mustang, Camaro and Challenger.

The Hyundai RWD is not a musclecar by any means regardless of what is under the hood and which wheels the engine spins. While a handful of enthusiasts might cross shop, true musclecar enthusiasts walk a different line and will not simply be enticed by a budget import coupe no matter how well it performs.

 

Maybe, but how much of the total Mustang/Camaro/Challenger market is made up of "true musclecar enthusiasts", versus 25-yr-old guys with their first good jobs and/or 40something guys with older kids who have some money to spend, want a fun care to screw around with, don't have the time/skills/patience to deal with something older, and are open to considering a bunch of different brands?

 

Since I fall into the second category I can honestly say that I'd never buy a Hyundai as a "fun car" to screw around with. In fact other than Camaro, I'd probably consider the Nissan Z, BMW M3, and Mustang from the same class and possibly the Lotus Elise, Porsche Boxter or Jaguar XK from outside the class.

Secondly, as I have sons who fall in the first category, one of which is an enthusiast, I think I can speak for that group as well. That said, my youngest, who's had Mustang GTs, a Camaro and a M3, currently drives a 2007 Audi A4. He'd never buy a Hyundai either, and isn't very likely to replace his A4 with a Camaro in three years when his lease expires.

I'd consider both of us "true musclecar enthusiasts" yet we both fall into your categories of exceptions, so I'm not sure if I'm the best one to answer; however, I honestly don't see the Hyundai as a real threat to Camaro, Mustang or Challenger from a performance perspective. The base V6 models may have a slightly different market, but then I think even those folks will buy an American musclecar because it is an "American musclecar".

 

Isn't the Hyundai coupe a direct replacement for the Tiburon? Seeing as how the market for the Tiburon was pretty limited, I think it's going to take a while for this new offering to gain traction in the market, if it ever really does, regardless of how much "better" it is (better to us anyway because it is more performance-focused -- and I think that's a key distinction).

I honestly can't see your typical Mustang/Camaro gearhead visiting a Hyundai dealer with any frequency. I think this is a car that is aimed at the Asian performance market moreso than your traditional pony cars.

.....And in light of all this it still amazes me why people get upset with GM for not releasing details about the 5th Gen sooner. Now you know why they are puckered up about this car.

 

No. Hyundai has said that the Tiburon will continue as a FWD coupe. They are targeting a different audience with the Genesis coupe.

 

Ok then.

I still think this car is meant more as a cheaper 350Z/G37 alternative than a pony car alternative.

 

+1

 

Well, Hyundai is on record as saying that they benchmarked the E46 M3 - but
then again, who doesn't say that nowadays.

Certainly, Hyundai would like it's car to be considered a less expensive alternative to the 350Z/G37. In fact, they said so: But they're also targeting Mustang GT with the 310-320 hp V6 version as well.

 

I fail to understand how 200lbs is gonna make the Camaro a crappy handling turd. If that was the case...put a buddy in the passenger seatm and two friends in the back and the thing would hardly be able to move.

I will make a deal with GM, I will loose 50lbs if they find a way to shave 50 from the Camaro.