Hyundai is on a tear with a constant barrage of new products, and the latest to make its debut is arguably the most exciting to date. The all-new Genesis Coupe first drew attention at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show while still in concept form, and very little was lost in translation from concept to production.

Displaying what John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's vice president of product development and strategic planning, describes as a “passion for car performance,” the new coupe features aggressive styling that was designed to emulate a predatory animal. This element is most noticeable in the angled headlights and twisting lines below the beltline.

“The mission for Genesis Coupe was to create a pure performance car with a design that would capture the imagination of hardcore automotive enthusiasts,” said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

The Genesis Coupe does more than just look the part — it will be available with a 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine expected to produce an estimated 306 horsepower. A 212-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will also be available.

Both engines will send power to the rear wheels via a standard 6-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic will be available with the V6, and a 5-speed automatic for the turbo four.

The Genesis Coupe also features a sport-tuned suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars. The top-level SE trim will feature a track-tuned sport suspension with a stiffer spring rate and unique shock valving, as well as Brembo brakes with 4-piston calipers.

Hyundai benchmarked many of the new coupe’s specifications against some of the best coupes on the market. For example, the company claims the Genesis Coupe is lighter than the Infiniti G37, and its chassis is 24 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than the BMW M3.

Inside, the Genesis Coupe echoes the performance-oriented exterior with comfortable but supportive sport seats with side bolsters, a push-button starter and a large speedometer and tachometer. At first blush the rear seat appears to be quite usable, with more legroom than one might expect.

The new sport coupe is the second vehicle Hyundai has introduced utilizing its new rear-wheel-drive platform. Earlier this year the Genesis luxury sedan made its debut in Detroit.

A 2010 model, the Genesis Coupe is expected to go on sale early in 2009. Pricing was not announced, but the new coupe will most likely be value priced in keeping with the rest of the Hyundai lineup.