The Forza Motorsport 3 community is the big winner of the strategic partnership between Hyundai and the game’s creators, Turn 10 Studios. Hyundai is sponsoring a special downloadable vehicle package on Xbox LIVE on Nov. 17, 2009. It’s free. The download includes three scintillating drives; the Rhys Millen Racing Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe, HKS Genesis Coupe and a one-of-a-kind Genesis Coupe specially built by Turn 10.
Further, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe will also boast its own race series within Forza 3’s innovative Career mode. Hyundai is also developing an online photo and video upload contest so Forza gamers can take center stage and display their best in-game photo and video clips of the Genesis Coupe in action.
HKS Sport Tuned Genesis Coupe
Wearing the familiar Tskuba Red paint scheme immortalized on HKS’ dominating time attack Evo, this Hyundai Genesis had a decidedly different target; the street. The Korean automaker has really broken out with the Genesis, which has struck a chord in the mainstream tuning community and this car helped kick the door open at the 2008 SEMA Show.
Built with the enthusiast in mind, the angular coupe flexes a KENSTYLE body kit that delivers that JDM flair, or would that be KDM? Subtle ghostly graphics hint at its HKS origins. A hood mounted front spoiler, aggressive side skirting and rear diffuser add downforce and visual punch while the large-mouth front bumper accommodates a ready-for-big-boost intercooler.
Pop the hood and the HKS Hyundai Genesis coupe reveals a fully modded 2.0-liter turbo four. The engine features a GT Turbo upgrade, HKS engine internals, a limited-edition turbo exhaust system and a Super Mega Flow Intake System. With additional engine management compliments of HKS’ F-CON Pro tuning computer the powerplant easily eclipses its stock 210 horsepower rating, checking in nearer to 300.
The HKS Genesis Coupe rolls on a set of 19-inch Volk Racing RE-30 rims wrapped in hi-po rubber. The big lip aluminum frames a set of serious Brembo brakes featuring four-piston calipers and huge discs. A HKS Hipermax III fully adjustable coilover suspension provides the footwork.
While the car was built for the 2008 SEMA Show it’s currently still on the campaign trail for Hyundai, recently appearing at the 2009 South Florida International Auto Show. While others ogle it as it rotates on a pedal thanks to this free DLC offering from Hyundai you can get it to rotate around apexes on any of Forza 3’s high-definition tracks.
Rhys Millen Red Bull Genesis Drifter
Rigidity and steep steering angles are keys to a drift car’s success. So when the crew at Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) got their Hyundai Genesis coupe they tore it to shreds, stripping the coupe to bare metal. What do you usually do when stripped down? Take a bath of course. Which is exactly what the Genesis got.
The chassis spent five days in an Alkali bath removing all rubber and adhesives before being diligently stitch welded for added structural rigidity. Stitch welding is a line of spot welds on the seams of the chassis designed to increase rigidity.
Lighter means faster so RMR set off to drape the Genesis Coupe in carbon fiber. Using the molds that created RMR’s earlier “Art of Speed” SEMA concept car to replicate the hood, deck lid, roof, doors, fenders, front fascia and side skirts the drift coupe’s new parts weigh between 50 and 80 percent lighter than the sheetmetal they replaced. For example, a factory Hyundai Genesis Coupe door weighs 68 pounds but modifications made by RMR reduce the door weight to just 8.5 pounds.
The wide body Genesis can tuck serious rubber and its side skirts have functional flat rocker panels with ducts to pull air out from underneath the car. A functional splitter on the front fascia and a built-in diffuser create pressure without drag. A rear diffuser with long tunnels keeps the air moving underneath the car. Downforce has been further increased by an APR GTC-500 rear wing. It is fully adjustable and was designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The hood is vented to dissipate heat and Aerocatch hood latches are used for safety. The rear widebody fenders are also made out of carbon fiber and blend seamlessly into the vehicle design with a creative painting concept. The goal curb weight for the car was 2,400 pounds.
The RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe runs a KW Suspension remote reservoir three-way adjustable coilover set-up that enthusiasts can buy from most any shop. Adjustable chromoly sway bars dial the suspension in for true track performance. RMR also fabricated adjustable lower control arms, rear control arms and toe links to allow precise tuning of the chassis. The steering system was modified to provide more steering angle to initiate and recover from high angle drifts. The contact patch is provided by lightweight 18-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels and Toyo Proxes R1R tires.
Unlike the HKS Genesis this coupe is fitted with the Hyundai Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine. The plant was stroked to 4.1 liters and boosted via a Turbonetics turbocharger. An AEM EMS engine management system keeps the combination happy as it hits its target of 550 horsepower and 520 lbs-ft of torque. The Lambda plant is mated to a HKS sequential transmission that is up to the power-shifting abuse seen on the drift circuit.
Forza 3 Collector’s Edition Genesis Coupe
The Forza 3 built and liveried Genesis may be the big stick of the trio. Where the RMR car is destined to slip the Forza 3 car is all about grip.
"The Forza Genesis is we what believe the Genesis Coupe would look like and how it would perform in either a touring car or SuperGT series,” says Scott Catlin a game designer at Turn 10.”Massive amounts of downforce, huge power, widebody stance, aggressive looks were on our spec sheet. The Audi A4 Touring Car and the Honda NSX race cars from the SuperGT series were our targets."
“The Forza 3 Genesis is a widebody version of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe designed to emulate the look and performance of JGTC race cars,” adds Turn 10 subject matter expert Matt Laverty. “Mods? Pretty much everything you can throw at the car. Twin turbos, adjustable suspension, anti-sway bars, the motor's already been bored and stroked...the car is a beast.”
The 3.8-liter V6 has been punched out to 4.2 liters and with its twin-turbos screaming at full song output is an impressive 660 horsepower and 638 lbs-ft of torque. The redline kicks in a 7,400 rpm. Like its sideways sibling the Forza 3 coupe tips the scales at 2,400 pounds and supplies a 50/50 weight balance.
A huge contact patch and wide stance speak to the Hyundai’s on-track potential. The car runs 330 width tires front and rear (330/40-18 front, 330/45-18 rear). The grippy rubber is wrapped around stylish Advan RG-II wheels. The wide body treatment increases track width 2.5-inches over a standard Genesis. Stopping power has been addressed with six-piston calipers and race-spec carbon-ceramic rotors on both ends of the car.
The Forza 3 Genesis has all the attribute of a fun ride, the astute balance, tuned suspension a contact patch needed to master the corner no matter how quick the transition and the unabashed bullying power to outmuscle the competition as the road ahead straightens.
The Hyundai Triple Threat is a collection of three decidedly capable cars. But beyond Forza Motorsport 3’s impressive high-def graphics and the most advanced vehicle physics modeling in a video game, the true brilliance of Forza 3 is how anyone can pick up a controller and drive these cars right on the edge where they belong. The game’s array of driving assists and adjustable skill levels mean fun for everyone and with the capability of these three cars the challenge will be getting players to put their controllers down. See you on the track.
