RHYS MILLEN HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE DRIFT CAR (News Update)

[MonkeySlide]

Well it looks like Rhys was able to talk Hyundai into it after all. They made their official debut this morning at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.

http://www.motorworldhype.com/2009-0...upe-drift-car/



Here is the Press Release:

HYUNDAI LAUNCHES RHYS MILLEN RACING RED BULL drift TEAM SPONSORSHIP AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2009 - With enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the upcoming launch of the 2010 Genesis Coupe, Hyundai is adding to the excitement by teaming with Rhys Millen Racing and Red Bull Energy Drink to campaign the car in the high-energy sport of drift racing this year.

At the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its motorsports program in the U.S. with the help of drift champion Rhys Millen, who will fabricate and race a 550-horsepower Genesis Coupe in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship and at select Redline Time Attack series events in 2009.

“Today’s announcement puts the Genesis Coupe into three great motorsports series,” said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We like to refer to the Genesis Coupe as the sinister sibling to the North American Car of the Year, the Genesis sedan and we look forward to Rhys harnessing every ounce of energy in the Coupe as he campaigns it.”

Millen and his team are an ideal match to launch Hyundai’s racing efforts. Millen’s driving credentials include movie stunts, multiple drifting championships, a Pikes Peak world record and his recent New Year’s Eve Las Vegas truck flip. But behind Millen’s success in the driver’s seat is a full team of engineers and fabricators that know how to maximize the potential of a race car.

Millen had his first opportunity to test drive the Genesis Coupe’s performance credentials when he performed precision driving for the car’s debut advertising campaign. Millen flogged a Genesis Coupe for three days during the filming process at Road Atlanta racetrack, and the car never missed a beat.

“The Genesis Coupe Concept inspired me to seek out a relationship with Hyundai and it has developed into multiple projects,” said Millen, professional race driver and founder of RMR. “The immediate focus is developing the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe into a drift car with a 550-horsepower engine and a lightweight, rigid chassis. We are applying everything we know about fabricating into building this car.”

THE CHASSIS BUILD

Six RMR employees have already stripped a Genesis Coupe to bare metal and the chassis has spent five days in an Alkali bath removing all rubber and adhesives. The chassis has also been stitch welded for added structural rigidity.

CARBON FIBER BODY PANELS

Millen quickly decided to take the already light weight Genesis Coupe and make it even lighter. His crew will take the molds used to build the “Art of Speed” SEMA car to once again replicate the Genesis Coupe’s body out of carbon fiber. The hood, deck lid, roof, doors, fenders, front fascia and side skirts are all built out of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber panels range from 50 percent to 80 percent lighter than the sheet metal 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. This weight-saving approach is carried throughout the car without compromising its powerful curves, surface detail and “Z” bodyside line.

The 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 that 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 for the car is 2,400 pounds.

INTERIOR

The interior of the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe is unrecognizable from its origins as a well-appointed 2+2 coupe designed with everyday driving in mind. All comfort and convenience features are removed to make way for a custom-fabricated eight-point safety cage and firewall which reinforce the Genesis Coupe’s already stiff chassis. By removing the roof, the RMR fabricators welded every aspect of the safety cage to the frame of the car. The braces on the A and B pillars also tie into the strength of the body. The safety cage is required for racing and a single Sparco racing seat further protects the driver in the overhauled cockpit.

SUSPENSION

The RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe utilizes a KW remote reservoir three-way adjustable coilover suspension. Adjustable chro-moly sway bars dial the suspension in further for true track performance. RMR also fabricated adjustable lower control arms, rear control arms and toe links to allow precise tuning of the chassis.

ENGINE AND TURBO KIT

The Hyundai Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine, which comes standard on the Genesis Coupe 3.8, will be stroked to 4.1-liters and further enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger. An AEM engine management system will also be used. The engine will be mated to a HKS sequential transmission. The end result is a Genesis Coupe that will produce 550 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque.

WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES

To ensure that the enhanced power plant translates all the way to road performance, RMR added 18- by 8.5-inch front and 18- by 9.5-inch rear Enkei RPF1 light weight wheels and 225/40-18 Toyo Proxes R1R front tires and 265/40 Toyo Proxes R1R rear tires.

PAINT SCHEME

The paint scheme is a combination of blue, silver and unpainted black carbon fiber with its signature weave pattern.

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

· Toyo Tires

· Genius Tools

· Sparco

· Royal Purple

· Turbonetics

· APR Performance

· KW Suspension

· AEM

· BC ( Brian Crower)

· Exedy

· Enkei Wheels

· JE Pistons

· The Driveshaft Shop.

RHYS MILLEN - DRIVER, OWNER RMR

With more than 16 years of racing experience, Rhys Millen has established himself as one of the premier rally/drifting drivers in North America. Born in New Zealand in 1972, Rhys is the son of famed rally and off-road racer Rod Millen. Rhys joined Rod in the U.S. as a teenager and soon afterwards established himself as racer by taking first at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the Open Division and winning Rookie of the Year. He won the Formula Drift championship in 2005 and was runner-up in 2006.

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS - 2008

· Red Bull Drifting World Championship winner

· Pikes Peak Time Attack 2-Wheel Drive Champion (set new world record)

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS - 2007

· Pikes Pike Time Attack Champion

· First Place - Long Beach Team Drift

· Second Place - Formula Drift, New Jersey

· Third Place - Formula Drift, West Virginia

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS - 2006

· Formula Drift Champion Runner-Up

· Formula Drift Tires.com Triple Crown Champion

RHYS MILLEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS - 2005

· Formula Drift Champion

· First Place - Formula Drift, New Jersey

· Second Place - Formula Drift, Irwindale

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

[markshatchi86]

[Slapshotnerd]

Somebody get an underhood shot

[valve timing]

wow this car looks amazing. i cant wait for the season opener

[Bebop]

man... this is cool, but I wished the RMR guys didn't straight up lie to the public like we are idiots

"this will not be our drift car" BS

we all knew it was going to happen

lol @ toyo tires, what have too bridgestone...too broke to sponsor drifting?

[markshatchi86]

Originally Posted by Slapshotnerd

Somebody get an underhood shot

Yea! Doesn't it have like a VQ or SR in it?

[Sebring]

Is he still running his cars on Ethanol?

And yeah I like the new genesis coupe. I think it looks better than a solstice.. so Hyundai did pretty good there. This will be good for Hyundai's reputation I think.

[Justin Banner]

Gee, we didn't see this coming, did we (sarcasm )?

[sabbasaun]

Here is a link to Hyundai's image gallery, has some more images of the RMR coupe:

http://www.hyundainews.com/Auto_Show...hicle_List.asp

[Sebring]

This thing has a really nice exhaust note.

[Slapshotnerd]

Originally Posted by markshatchi86

Yea! Doesn't it have like a VQ or SR in it?

not according to the press release

ENGINE AND TURBO KIT

The Hyundai Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine, which comes standard on the Genesis Coupe 3.8, will be stroked to 4.1-liters and further enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger. An AEM engine management system will also be used. The engine will be mated to a HKS sequential transmission. The end result is a Genesis Coupe that will produce 550 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque.

more than one person have mentioned to me that it's a VQ

[markshatchi86]

That sounds exactly like a VG too.

[Bebop]

yea, it sounds just like tanners car

[markshatchi86]

Its a VQ.....

[MonkeySlide]

Originally Posted by markshatchi86

Its a VQ.....

Did you see for yourself or did you hear this from someone at the show?

[Cavi Mike]

Just because they sound the same isn't going to tell you they're the same engine. As long as they're both 60degree V6's and have identical firing order, they're going to sound indentical.

Now, when you say it's a VQ, is that because RMR put one in or because Hyundai is actually sourcing their engines from Nissan? This is nothing new for Hyundai, Mitsubishi used to supply their engines, so I wouldn't be surprised if the 3.8 in the Genesis coupe is a slightly modified VQ.

[MonkeySlide]

Originally Posted by Cavi Mike

Just because they sound the same isn't going to tell you they're the same engine. As long as they're both 60degree V6's and have identical firing order, they're going to sound indentical.

Now, when you say it's a VQ, is that because RMR put one in or because Hyundai is actually sourcing their engines from Nissan? This is nothing new for Hyundai, Mitsubishi used to supply their engines, so I wouldn't be surprised if the 3.8 in the Genesis coupe is a slightly modified VQ.

Hyundai is still getting their engines from Mitsubishi. I'm not 100% sure about the V6 but the turbocharged four cylinder offered in the genesis is the mitsubishi "world" engine

[110octane]

Sorta makes sense that it's a VQ. It'll only take one look under the hood. I notice the BC stickers on the car and I know Crower has a 4.1L stroker kit for the VQ already in production. Kinda smart actually. It's a proven motor and they do sound sooooo good!

Anyone from RMR wanna confirm? Ahhhhh dumb question.......prolly not.

**EDIT**

I guess it doesn't really matter but I found an article about the Genesis build and while perusing the pics from the shop I spotted a VQ style intake manifold laying out with the rest of the Genesis parts.........



I guess that confirms the rumors?

[Justin Banner]

Originally Posted by 110octane

Sorta makes sense that it's a VQ. It'll only take one look under the hood. I notice the BC stickers on the car and I know Crower has a 4.1L stroker kit for the VQ already in production. Kinda smart actually. It's a proven motor and they do sound sooooo good!

Anyone from RMR wanna confirm? Ahhhhh dumb question.......prolly not.

**EDIT**

I guess it doesn't really matter but I found an article about the Genesis build and while perusing the pics from the shop I spotted a VQ intake manifold laying out with the rest of the Genesis parts.........



I guess that confirms the rumors?

From what I understand and read the Hyundai Lambda engine is produced in house. RMR could have started early development work with Brian Crower to make high performance engine parts.

Also I'm pretty sure RMR and MillenWorks probably does work on other cars than just what they are racing in.

[110octane]

From what I understand and read the Hyundai Lambda engine is produced in house. RMR could have started early development work with Brian Crower to make high performance engine parts.

Also I'm pretty sure RMR and MillenWorks probably does work on other cars than just what they are racing in.

Possible, but not likely. It's a VQ.

[sabbasaun]

Originally Posted by MonkeySlide

Hyundai is still getting their engines from Mitsubishi. I'm not 100% sure about the V6 but the turbocharged four cylinder offered in the genesis is the mitsubishi "world" engine

Technically speaking the Mitsu World engines are Hyundai World engines. Hyundai was the lead designers of the World engine block that is used by Chrysler and Mitsubishi. Chrysler and Mitsubishi produce their own engines based off of this block but they are essentially the same. All three together form what's called GEMA.

Originally Posted by Justin Banner

From what I understand and read the Hyundai Lambda engine is produced in house. RMR could have started early development work with Brian Crower to make high performance engine parts.

Also I'm pretty sure RMR and MillenWorks probably does work on other cars than just what they are racing in.

This is correct, the Lambda engine is in house. The Sonata's use a smaller 3.3l version and the Genesis Sedan uses a detuned 3.8l making 290hp. The Genesis Coupe makes about 306hp.

Originally Posted by 110octane

Possible, but not likely. It's a VQ.

This is not the VQ, multiple sources indicate that this is the Lambda engine that Hyundai builds.

[INFO]

from Rhys Millen;

the motor in that video is a stock 3.8L v6

[djricepik]

From the guy that did the renderings, shot the photos / video and edited everything- its a bone stock HYUNDAI engine... The race car is being built as we speak, this is a mock up for the Chicago Auto Show... I think the only performance modification was the exhaust system. I think the video shows what the car can do out of the box with someone that is competent behind the wheel.

Photos of the real race car as of right now: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/au...ftcarnews.html

Rhys took me for a spin around Horsethief in the car as you see it in the video and it was impressive to say the least. Heading out of the S's and up the hill on the double apex right hander, I thought we were flying off onto the big track... I think he already likes rolling on the Toyo's. Its as Rhys had done it once or twice before...

-DC

[MonkeySlide]

Originally Posted by djricepik

From the guy that did the renderings, shot the photos / video and edited everything- its a bone stock HYUNDAI engine... The race car is being built as we speak, this is a mock up for the Chicago Auto Show... I think the only performance modification was the exhaust system. I think the video shows what the car can do out of the box with someone that is competent behind the wheel.

Photos of the real race car as of right now: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/au...ftcarnews.html

Rhys took me for a spin around Horsethief in the car as you see it in the video and it was impressive to say the least. Heading out of the S's and up the hill on the double apex right hander, I thought we were flying off onto the big track... I think he already likes rolling on the Toyo's. Its as Rhys had done it once or twice before...

-DC

Thanks DC this is what I was waiting for.

All too often people are "sure" of something without any hard proof. If something like this got out of control it could have ruined a deal that Rhys worked really hard to get.

[markshatchi86]

Originally Posted by MonkeySlide

Did you see for yourself or did you hear this from someone at the show?

I just know

Trust me, I am willing to stake money on it.

There IS a VQ in there