| Concept Car Review | LA Auto Show 2007 | Hyundai Genesis Coupé concept |

Hyundai has shown off its sleek new Genesis Coupé concept in Los Angeles this week. Apparently taking inspiration from street tuners, Le Mans racers and even die-cast models, the car met the media with a mixture of orange paint, carbon fibre and additional body modifications. But importantly, sources suggest that the concept is actually very close to the production car despite its obvious showmanship.

This is no bad thing for us because the Coupé's heavily sculpted flanks and nose - not dissimilar to the Lexus LF-A's - are great to look at; as are the stylishly spiky front and rear headlights. A carbon fibre bonnet boasting numerous cooling vents and 20-inch alloys certainly give a street modified look, whilst other nice touches include air-gulping silver-accented front intakes and two exhaust pipes also finished in eye-candy silver. All good news from Hyundai's design team then.

But there's more. With such good looks, one can't help but hope the Genesis will deliver something special. Thankfully, Hyundai has gone some way to meeting that expectation, as Joel Piaskowski, chief designer explains: "The mission for Concept Genesis Coupé was to create a pure performance car with a design that would capture the imagination of hardcore automotive enthusiasts."

The Genesis will use a front-engine rear-wheel drive set up to rival that of the acclaimed BMW 3 Series Coupé. With a reported 300+bhp on tap managed by a six-speed transmission and a limited-slip differential offering traction support, the Genesis Coupé has been given everything it needs to have a go at some of the most established in the business.

Is there a 'but'? Well, yes. It is not known whether the Genesis Coupé will make it to UK shores, with the saloon version already ruled out. But fingers crossed Hyundai UK is attempting to persuade the people that matter. With rear-wheel drive and a target of becoming the most affordable 300bhp car on the market, we certainly hope it makes it over.

Meanwhile, Hyundai will give us our first look at the full production version at the New York motorshow in April next year.

Kyle Molyneux - 17 Nov 2007