ATH @ Xtreme Events Cars of Florida!!!

 For the love of cars...


I first met up with the guys at Xtreme Events last year, when I attended their year meet in Orlando, FL. Since then I have been to one other meet hosted by XECOFL.com (Melbourne Beach). Everybody there has always been courteous and respectful toward all makes and models. It is literally a bunch of guys/gals that truly love cars. No matter what you drive you can bring it to an xecofl meet! There was flag football, Barbeque, and a DJ at today's meet! As always this meet was very well thought out and put together. There were all kinds of cars here. Miatas, MS3s, 370zs out the wazoo, Gen coupes, Elantras, Tiburons, Eclipses and there was even a lone Honda Civic Si and Veloster.

This particular yearly meet means a little more to me. It will be the last meet that I will be attending in Florida. I was fortunate to have most of my friends in attendance. I have met some wonderful people over the last 4 and half years. Most have been to my house to have work or modifications done. I have enjoyed my time and am grateful for the friendships I have forged over the years. So to Tara, Justin, Hayden, Dave, Ryan, Andy, JC, Phil, Kirk and many others whom I have met along the way...Thanks for everything! You will be missed but never forgotten. Hopefully with return trips I'll be able to visit. Maybe even catch up with my new found peeps at xecofl. Thanks again guys! It was a blast and a great way to spend my last Saturday in the state. I threw together a small video (after the pics)...Enjoy!

Hatches FTMFW!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

370's representing!

 

 

The very near future...

2013 Azera...


So with the L.A. Auto show about to start, the auto show season is officially up and running. So what is Hyundai up to? Well, I think its going to be quite an exciting show year. Hyundai has five models that they will be unveiling in the very near future. The Azera is the first one to be unveiled at the L.A. Auto show. I pulled some pics from the web. While not 100%, I'm fairly confident that we are looking at the production vehicle. I also know that Hyundai has a 3.3 GDI (293hp and 29 mpg on the highway) that will more then likely find its way into this car. With power and mileage up from the out going model, along with better looks, it should help move some units. The current model is sitting on an old platform and has been around since 2006 (It did have a face lift, but the interior and other tidbits have essentially stayed the same.) The new Azera will also use the SACHS system to adjust for road surfaces. This should improve  the ride quality and handling. Do not expect a canyon runner though, this is still grandpa's car.

 The interior is far superior then the outgoing model. The older version had hard plastics galore and the seats were not exactly supportive. The trim pieces were also very easy to scratch and could degrade the look of the interior quite quickly. With prices starting in the low 30k's, I'm not sure why somebody would want a near luxury FWD car anymore. The Genesis sedan 3.8 GDI is RWD and starts at essentially the same price. Although I have hear rumors over the years about the Azera getting AWD...and that would make it special!


2013 Elantra Coupe...



My buddies and I over at ElantraXD and Elantraclub have been waiting for this car for quite sometime. We often thought what it would be like to have our favorite cars turn into hot hatches. While CEO John Krafcik says that there is not going to be a sporty model to the Elantra Coupe (probably because of the #4 car on the list...the Veloster Turbo) I'm not going to rule out the possibility of maybe an R-spec E coupe. Perhaps even using the same 1.6 GDI turbo motor from the up and coming Veloster Turbo. My thinking is that some people do not like the third door or the somewhat funky looks of the Veloster (I personally LOVE IT! and will probably be putting on in my personal garage next year) and would prefer the looks of the Elantra. I can appreciate that. The car was set to debut at the L.A. Auto show along with the Azera but it was pushed back to the Chicago Auto show. I guess we have to wait a little longer, be we can use our imaginations for the time being.

2013 Santa Fe...

While I'm not particularly a fan of SUV's, the Santa Fe has always been a curious vehicle for me. Its odd shape and somewhat chunky interior was introduced in 2001. I was not really a fan of it and I thought its two tone body cladding was a bit odd, but over the years I have come to appreciate it. The 2.7 Delta was definitely the motor of choice for this vehicle. It also came with optional 2.4 Sirius and 3.5 Sigma, both were Mitsubishi design and electronics, were
horrible to work on and not very good on fuel. In 2007 the car had a make over and thankfully the interior and exterior were changed for the better. So were the motors. Hyundai used their 3.3 Lambda and a newer version of the 2.7 Delta. If you bought the base 2.7 Delta you could have it with a 5 speed manual. The first time I hopped into one of those, it was quite surreal. I thought it was pretty cool and if I were to buy one that would have been my motor and transmission of choice. While we see spy shots of the up and coming Santa Fe, I haven't read anywhere about where its going to be debut. If I had to take an educated guess...I'm thinking NYC Auto show. Fortunately for me, I'll be in the tri-state area once again and will be going to this show. While speculations have been made about what motors are going into this midsized SUV, I will venture that the 2.0 GDI Turbo motor from the sonata will be the base motor with the new 3.3 GDI making its rounds in the higher end models. This of course just coming from me and not really based in any sort of facts other then the trends that Hyundai has been setting. From the rough shots of the interior and exterior we can see that the outside will continue on with Hyundai's fluidic styling cues and same goes for inside the cabin. Perhaps maybe even a hybrid model (not sure you want to use the turbo motor for that one though.) I do  think that this will be the best one yet!

We have already talked about the last two vehicles. The 2013 Genesis coupe and the 2013 Veloster Turbo.


Far future...


Hyundai has been working on fuel cell technology for quite some time. They recently powered a 2011 Tuscon with a fuel cell and moved it across the USA. While hybrids are nice, I do not see them lasting too long. Please do not get me started on EV's. There lack of range and high sticker tags (even with government rebates as high as $7500 here in the States) do not make them accessible to the masses. Where are all of the charge stations? I would rather put money into Hydrogen fill stations rather  then charging stations. Who knows maybe both will flourish. EV's for around town and Hydrogen for cross country hikes. What I do know is that renewable sources need and should be implemented. Some of you will still be holding out and to be honest so will I, but there comes a point in time when the greater good trumps my need for speed.

This time for conservancy is NOT in my immediate future. I will be attending Xtreme Events Cars of Central Florida (also added them to my list of sites) Orlando meet this Saturday! I will also be driving another Genesis coupe sporting upgrades from Beyond Redline. AND I have trying to get my last test vehicle from great partners over at Coastal Hyundai.

2013 Gen coupe...continued.

So it would appear that the 2013 Genesis coupe will get a nice jump in power. I expected this though and as did everybody else. The question still surrounds the 2.0t motor. It was not shown at the release in Korea. I wonder why? Rumor has it that its going to be the same motor (non GDI) but will have a larger twin scroll turbo with increase boost. The current Coupe peaks at 14psi (approx 1 bar). So in order to increase the power that much your looking at the new coupe pushing about 19 psi. This also leaves alot of room for tuning the new motor as well. Its funny though...I know of another motor that is a 2.0 T and hits 274 hp...I wonder...

with out further interruption...


The 3.8 GDI will be making 350 hp. While the 2.0 T will be putting down 275 hp. I also snagged some more pictures of the new car at the unveil. Thanks to our friends in Korea for the pictures! Also if you want to see the picture larger just simply click on the picture.

Power Output for both motors

3.8 L GDI

New interior looks much better then the current one with hard plastics galore! This one looks like it has quite a few more soft touches to it. I like it! Especially the navigation system being higher up on the center stack. 

 

Although there are name changes to some of the colors and added a few (not pictured here, perhaps they are saving the really cool ones for the Detroit unveil.) they look very similar to the current colors. Here are a couple of them. 

 

 

  

They leaked!...thats gonna be a hot mess....

So Hyundai let out two pictures. Presumably in front of the Korean Debut of the car on the 19th of this month. While these pictures do not look horrible, I'm going to leave my final judgement until I see the car for myself.

What we also see are some of the lines from its small cousin the Veloster Turbo. From the spy shots of the turbo the foglamp configuration is going to be nearly identical and will also have a large grill out front. Probably more so the the coupe, as the front mount intercooler runs vertically instead of horizontally across the bottom like the coupe.


Enjoy!

SEMA, A wrap up...

Listen up!!!


Well most of you know already that CEO John Krafcik announced that the Turbo Veloster is officially going to be bowing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. See "Turbo Veloster and you!" for more information on this. He also mentioned a couple of surprises for the Genesis Coupe. I take this to mean that the motors and the facelifted Genesis Coupe will also be unveiled. RMR was there with his new creation.  The RMR 500. The 500 is for the Tau 5.0 V8 making 429 hp and 376 ft/lbs of torque. This motor actually is a winner of the Ward's 10 best motor's for 2011. CEO JK also said that "this could not be ruled out, I need your input!" So if you want it...you need to tell them!!!


SEMA awards...


What a let down, how in the world did the Fiat 500 pick up the Hottest Sport Compact? The Camaro won the Hottest Car award. Saw that coming from a mile away. The 4x4 went to Jeep Wrangler. Best truck went to the Ford F-150.


Hyundai Cars...


There where lots of them there, but I selected this handful as my favorites! First lets start with the Genesis Coupe's. These two are examples of the possibilities for Hyundai. First one is the Supercharged 3.8 putting down 450 hp! NICE! This was a combined effort of Hyundai and others in the aftermarket community.

 

Next is Rhy's RMR 500. This again is powered by the Tau V8 found in the new R-spec Sedan. It has a custom rear lip on the deck lid and some other goodies attached  to it. It does almost look OEM, but man I would hate to be the sucker to race it!

Next is the Veloster. New for this year its Hyundai's hot hatch. This is by far the car that should have won the Hottest Sport Compact award. Fiat? really? O'well...maybe next year with the Turbo version. Hyundai gave a handful of people some pre-production cars to work their magic on. These are the cars that they came up with. I like them!

Here is ARK's rally inspired Veloster. It has a custom widebody kit, rear wing, roll cage, big brakes, ARK's coilover system and a whole bunch more. 

 

Hyundai obviously has a partnership with RMR so obviously they would be showing off their FWD rallycross Veloster. It uses the 2.0 GDI Turbo from the Sonata and is putting down 300hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque

Next is Fuelcuture's Veloster. I  really like this car! The color is insane and with the sequence X lip kit it looks especially good. This Veloster also sports KW Coilovers, Konig 18" wheels, big brakes, and my favorites the Seibon carbon fiber hood and hatch! I was promised we would get the weight difference once these pieces go into production. It also features the KDM projector headlights, KDM LED tail lights, and the KDM signal side mirrors. I have an inkling that these three tidbits are going to make it to the production Turbo version.

 

 Another company that was given Veloster's was an entertainment company called Re:mix. They have three cars. One is done up with everything a connected person could ever need. Including android phone holder, Ipad holder in the dash, and tv in the seats. Although I'm not a fan of the all white interior or its practicality. I do have to give a thumbs up for effort. 

Next is a car for the DJ in you. There is a full set of DJ mixer's in the trunk and the audio system to boot. 

 

I'm not sure if these next two pictures are of the same car, but its the only green Veloster I have seen. Its Re:mix's Xbox car. Either way I LOVE this green and I think this is the green that should have come on the car in OEM trim rather then the Electrolyte green. Sorry EG Veloster owners...

 

What?...

All in all it was a good show for Hyundai. They showed the world what can be done with the Veloster and of course RMR always puts something crazy out there for us. The only thing that I could have wished for...was to be there in person! O'well...maybe next year?

ATH Presents: 2012 3.8 R-spec...A love affair...

Lust...

At times it can be a fantastic feeling. My lust for the Genesis coupe started back in 2007 when I started working as a Hyundai technician. It was a very exciting time for me.  I had just changed careers and was now working on the cars that I have known for quite sometime. However, there were rumors of a new RWD platform in the works. My mentor and close friend at the time, Jerry Lawson, would be off at training sessions in Miami at Hyundai's technical facility in Doral. He would come back with tidbits of information on this new platform and other cars that were in the works. What I really wanted was a RWD sports car and my obsession began. Fast forward to April of 2009. I had switched dealerships trying to find work. I was now in a small dealership in Vero Beach, FL and on one bright sunny afternoon, there it was...the object of my affection. A nordscheife gray coupe 2.0 turbo just came off the truck. It was gorgeous! It was everything that I had imagined it would be. Seeing pictures of it just did not do it any justice. I asked my manager if  I could do the pre-delivery inspection (PDI) on the car and knowing my obsession with it, he agreed. On one stipulation, absolutely NOTHING happened to the car while on my test drive. I agreed. I looked over the car with hungry eyes. Completing the PDI, it was time for a test drive. I was in heaven.

R-spec'd!


The R-spec is a trim level that Hyundai designates as their race edition. The car comes with all of the hardware from the Track edition but without the frills. There is no cruise control, no moonroof, not even a wing and some other fluffy comforts are taken away. The result is a vehicle that weighs 76lbs lighter and a price tag that was lighter on the wallet. This was only available on the 2.0 turbo, until 2010 when Hyundai released a 3.8 v6 edition. Even more cuts were made to the car. So now you could get into a 3.8 Genesis coupe for just under 27k. Doesn't sound like a bad deal. right? You get the big Brembo brakes, a torsen limited slip differential, and larger 19 inch wheels with summer compound tires.


All of the go fast parts are there and to be used at your will. Then this year Hyundai surprised us again with the R-spec Genesis sedan. This car gives you a 5.0 GDI V8 putting down 429hp and 376 ft/lbs of torque. It also gives you larger 19 inch wheels specific to the R-spec. Colors are also limited on the R-spec sedan, just as they are with the coupe. One thing though, it adds weight, presumably from the larger motor. How come the R-spec coupes do not give you more power? Are there other R-specs in the works? Maybe, with the Veloster Turbo to debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Elantra coupe to debut at the L.A. Auto show, I'm sure anything is possible. On the other hand though, I want the options AND the go fast parts. I'm a firm believe that weight savings starts with the driver!


Finally...time alone.


I picked up my Interagos yellow 3.8 R-spec from the dealership and was ready to drive off into the sunset. That is if I could get out of the parking lot. I must have stalled it at least three times, how embarrassing. The clutch is heavy and very un-Hyundai like. Reverse does not have a lock out, but a pressure gate. It is left and up. You also get a little "Ding" when putting the car into reverse. I finally made it out of the parking lot and onto the main roads. For me, this is BIG car. Its almost a eight inches wider and longer then my Elantra. So needless to say I was being extra cautious. My initial impressions were that the car had quite a stiff, almost harsh ride. The steering was quick and accurate for the most part, though my tester did not want to center itself. The motor is powerful and will move the car very nicely. The interior is not that shabby with well placed controls, comfortable well bolstered seats and a good driving position.(the R-spec comes with red inserts and red leather on the doors) It's a nice place to be, even with all of the hard monotone plastics. The dash pad itself was soft touch, but not much else. The transmission is notchy and vague at times. I found that downshifting from 5th gear a little difficult. It would feel like it was being held up and would not move. I also found reverse to be slightly annoying. I was at a stop light putting in my flash drive into the center console usb port, when the light went green. I went to throw it into first gear, but instead I went into reverse, pulled it out, and went into reverse AGAIN! Getting honked and yelled at by a middle aged woman biker on her harley is not cool.


The sum of all of it's parts...


It all looks so good. Literally, its a gorgeous car, but like the hot girl that you have always wanted, it comes at a price. The 3.8 liter v6 is thirsty! I averaged about 22mpg. Now granted I'm coming from econoboxes where anything less then 27 mpg is unacceptable. I just could not afford to put gas in this car as much as I drive in a week. The act of driving is quite impeded by the overly granny'd Traction Control System (TCS or ESC). I made the mistake of leaving the TCS on while trying to test acceleration. My head jerked quite bad when I made the 1st to 2nd gear shift. The car literally falls flat on its face and then a second or two later will start to accelerate again. 2nd to 3rd was the same way. This was ridiculous. It was a bright sunny day here in Florida, there was no need for it to kick in the way it did. Next time, with the TCS off, it was much better a nice chirp came from the rear tires when shifting into 2nd gear, but 3rd gear still fell short and would not keep with the same intensity that the first two gears did. How disappointing. I think the electronics of this car really take away from the experience. I could only imagine if this had a cable instead of an electric throttle body. Maybe that is where the guys at Poweraxel or Seoulful racing come into play.  Maybe it just needs to be programmed correctly.


My love affair...

Gencoupe.com member

I can see and feel the allure of the coupe. The looks you get in this car are quite nice, even after being out for three years peoples head's still turn. Maybe it was the extremely bright yellow. I even had a guy pull up in an S2000 and told me that he wanted to trade up, but sadly his wife won't let him. Yet another older guy in his HHR gave me a fist pump while in traffic. The adoring looks from young and middle aged women alike were nice, but sadly they weren't looking at me. It was the car. Regardless it made me feel good for the moment. In OEM form this car is very visually pleasing, but some of the guys over at Gencoupe.com have done some amazing things with aftermarket parts. Between the stance, wheel choices, and aero parts some of the coupes are down right sexy. Most even have the power the back up the looks. I would love to drive a coupe with aftermarket goodies bolted onto it. At the end of the day though my love affair was over.

Gencoupe.com member

How could it be? This was supposed to be THE car, but sadly its not for me. Its not even the really stiff ride, or how big it is. The notchy shifter I could probably live with, but man the accleration as good as it might be, it could be more linear and less jerky. Most people will say it pays to play, well I guess I'm not willing to pay for it. Having a 6 year old to tote around to hip hop and theater classes. the lack of backseat room made the front passenger very uncomfortable. If he was older and did not need the car seat then maybe, but that is going to be a year or so from now. I'm then reminded that the refreshed Genesis coupe is debuting at the NAIAS and with this leaked brochure photo...Well lets just say that I found out that the beautiful girl of my dreams has an STD. That is alot different then just having some annoying habits. (though some including Hyundai say its a Photoshop...if it is, its pretty damn close...I think its a case of CYA!)

 

A1A south between Melbourne and Sebastian

Even with the updated power (2.0 Turbo which is rated at 210 hp now is going to get a good bump in power. I'm suspecting the 2.0 GDI turbo from the sonata will be retooled to fit into the coupe, it has 274 hp. The current 3.8 v6 is more then likely going to get the 3.8 GDI from the Sedan, though traditionally the power output for the coupe is MORE then what the sedan sees. So the GDI motor is putting down 333hp we should see that number bump up to about 350ish?) I think it is time to find a new infatuation. Perhaps it's not the right place or time. What if I had tested it on MY roads back in PA would I have found the true prowess of the coupe. Maybe my flat Florida roads are just not appropriate for this car.

Another time another place...

One of many PA backroads...Near Bangor, PA

Turbo...confirmed!

So with SEMA came some great news. CEO John Krafcik told the world, or atleast his dinner party guests, that the Veloster Turbo is confirmed. The new 1.6 Gamma GDI-T will be making an impressive 204hp at 6k and 195 ft/lbs of torque at a mere 1750 rpms. What does that mean? It means that the sporty looking Veloster will have the power to back up its fantastic looks! Nuff said.


also...I think I have my next review car in the pipes now. Should be picking it up tomorrow. ;)