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In 2009, Hyundai dropped a bomb on the sub-$30,000 sports car segment by introducing the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Rear-wheel drive, 210-hp turbo engine and a bodacious bod, it quickly made us forget the not-bad Tiburon and gave the Korean brand some newfound street cred.

But the Genesis Coupe was also available with a raucous, 306-hp V6 that allowed it to nip at the heels of the potent Nissan 370Z and Mazda RX-8, and eat the Mitsubishi Eclipse for lunch.


The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ will soon hit the streets, Ford is constantly improving its Mustang, while the RX-8 and Eclipse have fallen. Hyundai chose the right time to update its sports car and give more power - lots more. The improvements are so significant that it despite its age, the 2013 Genesis Coupe has all it takes to stay competitive against its newer rivals.

More muscle underhood
While the turbo four receives a massive output gain, climbing from 210 to 274 hp, the 3.8L V6 hasn't been ignored either. Now with direct injection, power rises from 306 to 348 hp, torque rises from 266 to 295 lb-ft, and it all makes this car very, very fast.

It also sounds very, very mean. The V6's soundtrack has gotten aggressive to the point where you could almost mistake it for a V8 once it hits 3,500 rpm. The 2.0L turbo should satisfy the vast majority of Genesis Coupe buyers, but the 3.8 is mighty tempting.

Zero to 100 km/h now takes 5.6 seconds, thanks in part to the reworked six-speed manual. What used to be notchy and unrefined now delivers solid, clean shifts, although engaging reverse is still somewhat of a hassle.

The 3.8L V6 produces 348 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque and a wonderfully aggressive soundtrack. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Overprotective stability control
Once you calm your right foot down, you'll get decent fuel economy. My average of 11.3L/100km isn't bad at all considering engine size and output. At 100 km/h in sixth gear, the engine spins at about 2,300 rpm.

Hyundai claims to have recalibrated the Genesis Coupe's hydraulic power steering, and it does feel more responsive and more sports car-like than the old setup, cutting down some of the understeer I felt in the old car.

However, Hyundai's stability control system is about the most aggravating in the industry. It's over-reactive to the point of cutting off all power and applying the brakes at the slightest chirp of a wheel, very frustrating for even the mildly experienced behind the wheel.

It is better for 2013, though, which will please the mildly experienced, as Hyundai has added an intermediate mode which reduces the overprotective nanny assist. So when you feel like driving more, say, enthusiastically, you should flip modes.

The electronic stability control system is way too overprotective. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Revised dashboard
Inside, the steering wheel, instrument pod and door panels are virtually unchanged. That's not necessarily a bad thing; apart from the power window switches, which Hyundai thinks can be operated with your knuckles, little needed improving. The steering column now telescopes, which is a welcome addition.

What has been redesigned is the centre stack layout. Fan speed buttons are replaced by a rotary dial, which is good. The navigation screen has moved up to the top of the dash, which is also good. But for the rest, it's just different and not, well, better.

Actually, the three needles added to indicate real-time fuel consumption (off by about 1.5L/100km), torque (in newton metres) and oil pressure aren't very useful, and take up real estate for nothing. Oh well.

As before, the Genesis Coupe benefits from excellent seats, covered in perforated leather in the 3.8GT. They also look fabulously upscale, especially in brown as is the case in our test car.

A great-sounding Infinity stereo with 10 speakers and touchscreen navigation is included in 2.0T Premium and 3.8GT trims, complete with Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity as well as a USB port. Unfortunately, almost every time I started the car, I had to manually reconnect my iPhone to the system; this also happened in other Hyundais (and Kias) previously tested.

The interior fit and finish is superb inside the Genesis Coupe 3.8GT. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The look
When the first pictures of the 2013 Genesis Coupe were revealed, I wasn't too sure about the new front-end treatment. The clean mug of the old car is replaced with a wider mouth, fake hood vents, LED daytime running lights and a general appearance that bears a family resemblance to the Veloster.

I don't think it looks that much better, but everybody else seems to: the new car is drawing a lot more attention then the 2011 version I drove last year. People stare, point a finger and raise their thumbs. I have to admit that the 2013 car looks much more aggressive, and that's probably what makes it more noticeable.

Higher price for the V6
The base 3.8 model is no longer offered for 2013, which means the price of admission for the V6 engine rises from $33K to $36,999 before taxes, freight and delivery charges. The 2013 Genesis Coupe 3.8GT is an interesting alternative to a $41K Nissan 370Z, or even a $39K Ford Mustang GT.

Base price for the 2013 Genesis Coupe is $26,499; our 3.8GT tester costs $37K. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The 2.0T Genesis received a $1,600 price hike, although the improvements are arguably worth it. I'd miss the character and sound of the V6, but a well-equipped Genesis Coupe with the turbo engine for less than 30 grand is quite a deal. If you prefer power over handling, the Hyundai might be a better choice than the new FR-S or BRZ.

Subaru BRZ

Ford Mustang

Nissan 370Z

Gabriele Tarquini has admitted that he was in discussion with team Honda to join the Japanese squad for their WTCC return next season.

Honda competed in the World Touring Car Championship several years ago, has planned a return to the series in the last three rounds of the 2012 season - which will be held in Japan, China and Macau - before a full effort starting in 2013. The Italian squad JAS Motorsport will run the Civic in the WTCC.

Photo: JAS Motorsport

Gabriele Tarquini, the 2009 WTCC champion is rumoured to join the team next season.

"I've been speaking with them for the past three months, but at the moment nothing's in place," said the italian driver to touringcartimes.com.

"Maybe they're not worried to choose their drivers yet, as next season is still a long way away. There's still the winter break, this summer - so there's a lot of time to decide, I don't think they'll decide their drivers for next season immediately."

"I'm in a deal with LUKOIL for 2012," he added, "and I want to respect that deal and I will be in the SEAT all the way up to Macau, I'm 100% sure."

2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited

The Hyundai Sonata is a really compelling option in its segment.

The Hyundai Sonata really is a compelling option in its segment, because it is very stylish, comfortable, spacious, and reasonably priced. I can't get over just how composed and comfortable the ride was over a few hundred miles of highway driving over the weekend. Equally impressive was that the Sonata is very quiet inside, with only a little wind noise when you have the power sunshade open.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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Driven: 2012 Honda CR-V

Honda's compact crossover defines the category.

Compact crossovers are where the volume is in the SUV segment, and the volume leader among compact crossovers is the Honda CR-V. (That's in 2012 year to date. In 2011, Ford managed to push out more Escapes, even though that vehicle was at the very end of its long life cycle. But one suspects that those cars all disappeared into Hertz fleets, because, where I live at least, you hardly ever see an Escape on the road whereas it often seems like every other car is a CR-V.)

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Honda CR-V - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Honda CR-V - Automobile Magazine

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New-car registrations in Germany fell 4.8 percent in May leaving five-month growth at 1.33 million, 0.3 percent higher than in 2011, the federal transport authority said.

Volkswagen's overhaul of senior management aims at improving the group's performance in three key areas: China, Audi and heavy trucks.

Ford is in talks with its partners to introduce local brands in China, while it focuses on building up its own brand in the world's biggest auto market, its China chief said today.

Our exclusive images show the sensational new BMW-rivalling Pajun saloon could look when it arrives in 2016

NIssan Leaf-buyers in Australia must now take a suitability test

The European debt crisis, the appreciating yen and slowing automobile demand in the United States are among the concerns facing Japan's automobile industry, Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota, told reporters in Tokyo today.

Aston Martin unveiled a coupe concept called the AM310 last week at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como, Italy.

Mercedes increased its lead over rival BMW in the U.S. luxury-vehicle sales race for the year, as deliveries in May rose 19 percent to 22,515. Sales of BMW-brand cars increased 7.3 percent to 22,168 and Lexus, the No.

Ford's doing great. Their mainstream brand has got plenty of products in the pipeline and they're constantly improving their current line-up.

To balance their books, Ford unloaded all the luxury brands that were bought under previous management over the last few years, namely Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin and Volvo. Of course, that was after adopting their platforms, safety technologies and performance know-how. Then, Mercury was killed off; a virtual carbon copy of Ford's products, so no big deal.


That leaves Lincoln as Ford's premium stable-mate which has been suffering for a while, not quite certain of its mission or who their target audience should be.

The company is hoping that will soon change, as the Lincoln brand is in the process of reinventing itself. There will be a greater distinction with Ford products, starting with styling. Max Wolff, their new Design Director, has started by applying his artistic creativity to the 2013 MKS sedan, the 2013 MKT crossover, while totally reskinning the 2013 MKZ sedan, due this later this year.

Mild changes for now
The new MKS hasn't been reinvented, but has received redesigned front and rear fascias. The car's nose now boasts the new Lincoln corporate visage, complete with a grille that mimics an eagle's spread wings. Wolff and his team could have been a little more adventurous, as the MKS doesn't boast the uniqueness, the boldness that certain other luxury brands flaunt.

Ditto for the car's posterior; the reworked taillights fail to add character to the overall appearance. On the other hand, the MKS is elegantly subtle, and there are people out there who dig a set of wheels that doesn't stick out of the crowd.

The 2013 Lincoln MKS receives mild cosmetic revisions, including a new corporate face. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers)

Now AWD only
A 3.7L V6 remains as the base engine, which produces 305 hp (up from 273) and 280 lb-ft of torque (up from 270) and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Those who wish for more muscle can opt, as before, for the twin-turbo 3.5L V6, good for 355 hp and 350 lb-ft.

All-wheel drive, which used to be optional, is now standard fare in the Canadian-spec MKS. In addition, Ford claims a fuel consumption reduction with both engines.

Reworked suspension
To make Lincolns more appealing, one of the aspects taken into consideration is improving their handling capabilities. As such, the 2013 MKS swaps the old car's fixed-rate dampers for continuously controlled ones.

The MKS and MKT also receive what is called Lincoln Drive Control, an electronically adjustable suspension with three drive modes: Comfort, Normal and Sport. This will be exclusive to Lincoln vehicles. Basically, you can program what mode you want when the shift lever is in the 'D' position, and in the 'S' position, too.

With very little time on a closed circuit with the MKS, and no time at all on the open road, I didn't notice any difference between the three modes. I did drive an MKT through the countryside, however, and again, no difference besides perhaps a more responsive throttle in Sport mode. We'll have to further evaluate this when we perform a full road test.

The big downside: unlike similar systems in rival luxury brands, you can't simply press a button to switch suspension modes, you must fiddle through the on-screen menus to change modes, which you shouldn't be doing while driving.

A new, electronically adjustable suspension is now featured in the MKS. (Photo: Ford)

Better steering feel
The braking tests we were invited to perform, between the 2013 and outgoing 2012 models, also didn't produce any convincing results, despite the larger diameter front and rear discs; again, the very limited time behind the wheel didn't help.

On the other hand, what has significantly improved is the MKS' steering feel. It boasts a quicker ratio and is now electrically assisted with both engine choices, not just the EcoBoost V6 as before. It's more responsive to driver inputs, and makes the car a lot more enjoyable. How little things can do wonders.

More gadgets
For 2013, the Lincoln MKS gets a bunch of new high-tech gizmos, either standard or optional. The list includes: MyLincoln Touch, lane-keeping assist, a driver drowsiness detection system and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control, collision warning, Active Park Assist, blind-spot monitor and other stuff are still offered.

Inside, the steering wheel and centre stack are redesigned, looking much better. The finger-swiping volume and fan speed interfaces, like those in the MKX, are now found in the MKS, which may not please everyone. A heated wheel is now available, as is new wood (real) and leather colours.

Inside, the steering wheel and centre stack are redesigned, looking much better. (Photo: Ford)

Price decrease
The 2013 MKS starts at $47,700, while the EcoBoost version costs $52,200. That's a $2,500 drop in price compared to their 2012 equivalents.

So, the 2013 Lincoln MKS full-size luxury sedan will be an in-betweener car. It's an improvement over the 2012 model, without being the result of the brand's new strategy and creative direction. Still, it's not at all bad for representing Lincoln through its transition period.

Cadillac XTS

Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

Volvo S80

A new touchpad controller system may soon simplify BMW's iDrive interface. Developed by Preh GmgH, which also supplies Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the current prototype allows friendlier browsing and selection.

New functions could be integrated as well to limit the number of buttons on the centre console.

Touchpads are starting to grow in popularity within the auto industry. The Audi A8 was one of the first vehicles to include one, and now more and more manufacturers are following the lead.



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Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn replaced three Audi board members and added a board level post for China as part of a shake-up of top management to push forward his growth plans for the automaker.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn replaced three Audi board members and added a board level post for China as part of a top management shake-up to push forward his growth plans for the automaker.

A court in Germany ruled this week that the grandchildren of a German industrialist have a valid claim to a classic Mercedes car worth about $4 million that was taken by American soldiers during World War II.

Ford will pursue its boldest attempt yet to tackle a nearly $50 billion risk to its business when it begins offering lump-sum pension payout offers to 98,000 white-collar retirees and former employees this summer.

Mazda Motorsports announced earlier this week it would make its new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine available to racers of the new Rolex Sports Car Series GX class.

Mazda customers are already looking forward to working with the new unit.

"As a motorsports engineering firm, we love a challenge," said Sylvain Tremblay of SpeedSource Engineering. "Starting a new program with a stock-block SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine gives us a wonderful opportunity."

Mazda Motorsports' latest baby (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

The GX class is the latest addition to the Grand-Am family. It's a category made specifically for alternative technologies cars. GX competitors will be on track with both the Daytona Prototypes and the GT cars.

Mazda's SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine boasts a 14:1 low compression ratio, a new two-stage turbocharger and a 5,200 rpm redline. Compared to Mazda's production 2.2L diesel, the SKYACTIV-D unit is 20% more fuel efficient and 10% lighter.

"This opens a new chapter in racing for us," said Jay Amestoy, vice president of Mazda Motorsports. "We've won with rotary technology, and now we're looking to again put our customers in the winner's circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based power-plant the sport has ever seen."

Source: Grand-Am.com

From GMM

Sergio Perez is not a leading candidate to replace Felipe Massa next season, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said.

"We never take a decision before the second half of the season," the Italian told Reuters.

Montezemolo acknowledged Brazilian Massa's surge of form in Monaco last weekend, amid speculation Sauber's Perez - already the cream of Ferrari's driver development programme - might nonetheless be fast-tracked into the race seat for 2013.

"No," he said of the 22-year-old Mexican.

"Perez is a good driver but to drive a Ferrari you need more experience."

That is where 35-year-old Australian and Monaco winner Mark Webber might come in, with multiples sources indicating a one-year Ferrari deal for 2013 would pave the way for Perez to step up a season later.

But Red Bull's Webber insisted: "This (speculation) always happens around this time of year.

"Only rarely does anyone do anything now, or make any major decisions," he is quoted on Saturday by AFP news agency.