DeNunCianDo - CAMARO vs. GENESIS

“For $24k, Loh could get the superior in every aspect, 2010 Chevy Camaro V6 with ~310 HP and 29 miles per gallon.”
- lite_reading333ny

"The 3.8 [Genesis Coupe] is the car for Loh…It’s not perfect..but tell me, what could you rather have for ur 24 grand?”
- alfietcr

“Wow all these new Camaros, Mustangs, Zs, and now the Genesis are going to create a huge tuner(and poser) uprising…be afraid Hyundai-lover Loh, a storms coming.“
- -RWC-

Now I said some love-ly things about the Hyundai 2.0T. I also said love-ly things in my First Look piece on the Camaro late last year. So if it’s all the same to you RWC, I’ll remain brave and unafraid in the face of the, uh, approaching storm.

As for Camaro V-6 vs Genesis Coupe 3.8? Excellent question. Much of the buzz this week has been about the SS and how it matches up with its V-8 rivals, however I’d argue that the more compelling story is the Camaro V-6. While V-8s make big noises and smoky burnouts, it’s the base model V-6 that will keep Camaro brand alive and the lights on at GM. How tough will that job be with a new Korean opponent stepping into the ring?

I had the chance to drive both recently -- a dark blue Camaro V-6 with the RS package and a bright red Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to drive them back-to-back for an extended period of time, so a full comparison will have to wait. We can however compare the important specs:

Camaro RS Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
Engine: 3.6 liter V-6 3.8 liter V-6
Transmission: 6 speed auto 6 speed auto
Power: 304hp 306hp
Torque: 273 lb-ft 266 lb-ft
0-60: 6.0 sec 5.5 sec
¼-mile: 14.6 sec at 96.3mph 14.0 sec at 101.0mph
Weight: 3770 lb 3474 lb
Fuel economy: 18/29 mpg 18/26 mpg
Base price: $28,780 $31,750

Right away you can see that these two are primed for an octagon style face off. A slightly larger (+200cc) engine yields a two horsepower advantage for the Hyundai but seven less pound-feet of torque. The Genesis Coupe is half a second quicker to 60 mph and full sixth tenths swifter through the quarter mile, primarily due to its 300 pound weight advantage. Our test crew informs me the conditions weren’t exactly ideal and that you could see the Camaro times drop a couple of tenths in warmer conditions. Still, it’s impressive that a Korean upstart stomps all over one of America’s proudest pony cars at the drag strip.

Almost as impressive (and ironic) is seeing GM get the better of Hyundai at the gas pump. The efficiency of direct fuel injection gives the Camaro V-6 three extra highway mpg over the lighter but thirstier Genesis Coupe. For those who don’t care so much about drag racing that might be the most compelling specification of all.

Well, next to the price. Forget how much they want for those tarted up RS and Track models I drove. At $25,000, the Genesis Coupe 3.8 is a steal, until you compare it to the $22,995 GM wants for a base model Camaro LS. No doubt engineers and bean counters from Dearborn to Pusan are having fits figuring out how the General manages to offer up so much car for so little money. When I previewed their car last year, Hyundai execs told me that had taken aim directly at the Mustang GT, and hoped to have the most affordable, 300hp, rear wheel drive car in America. Well, looks like they will be able to run with that claim for only the next few weeks. When Camaro officially goes on sale later this spring, you’ll be able to get a 300 horsepower rear driver for about the price of a VW GTI.

Of course horsepower, miles per gallon, and dollar comparisons only go so far. Here are a few back of the napkin observations regarding the look, feel, and drive of these two modern muscle cars.

*Both cars are sexy in their own way, the Camaro is just more curvy – Angelina Jolie to the Hyundai’s Keira Knightley. Both exteriors are derivative, the only difference is that while Chevy obviously mined its rich Camaro history, Hyundai went looking at the competition. Here's another tasty bit of irony: while Korean designer Sang Yup Lee penned the latest version one of America’s most iconic musclecars, the Genesis coupe was birthed by Joel Piaskowski, a former GM designer who moved to Hyundai and recently took a position with Mercedes-Benz.

So which one is easier on the eyes? Depends whether you're into retro or modern design. For me, the hips have it. Despite the compromises of the Camaro style (ridiculous rear seat room and porthole like trunk opening), those flared rear fenders get me every time. I’ve always lusted after the ’67 Camaro shape and the GM designers got the profile and front three quarter just right.

*The tables turn on the inside. Despite some very nice touches in the Camaro cabin including squircle gauges and a four pack of meters, you can definitely see where GM cut costs. If you opt for cloth trim, you’ll find door panels covered in featureless swathes of it. The lack of a true nav system is also a bit ridiculous. I’d rather not tell some nice lady in Arkansas where I’m driving my RS late on Saturday night, if you know what I mean. The Camaro's cabin is by no means terrible – in fact, its claustrophobic style and beefy controls perfectly match the car's macho personality. I just think I'd find the Genesis Coupe’s cockpit a more open, comfortable and appealing place to be in on a day-to-day basis.

*Comparing engine notes is a head scratcher. The Genesis’ RS 3800 engine sounds exactly the way you’d imagine a modern V-6 would sound. Word on the street is Hyundai engineers modeled the RS after the Nissan VQ, but I find none of that engine's distinct throatiness when mashing the throttle. It’s not a bad sounding engine, just not special. The Camaro also sounds like a modern V-6, which makes for a bit of cognitive dissonance since you hear it coming out of such a throwback shape. It’s like watching clips of Bob Cousy throwing down tomahawk dunks. Still, the Camaro’s DI V-6 has a velvety roar at wide open throttle that becomes infectious. Even in the quiet Camaro, it sounds great. Outside, it's even better -- the way the engine and exhaust sound waves carom and Doppler off canyon walls, you'd think a jet was streaking past.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPP6UdoSMVw

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErezdY2Ct7I&feature=channel

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