Ah, the Genesis Coupe. Today seems to be full of news regarding Hyundai's new pride-and-joy sports car. To further show that Hyundai is dead serious about the two-door Genesis being a performance car, they have now unveiled a new R-Spec edition, complete with nineteen-inch gunmetal alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza rubber (225/40YR19 up front, 245/40YR19 out back). Additionally, the braking system has been upgraded, and the R-Spec will use Brembo discs measuring 13.4 inches up front and 13.0 inches at the rear.

Powering the R-Spec will be the base Coupe's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, good for 210 horsepower, a top speed of 137 miles per hour, and the ability to achieve 30 miles per gallon on the highway. A limited-slip differential and a track-tuned suspension will also be standard fare on this tuned up Genny.

Pricing for the R-Spec has been set at $23,750, which is $3000 less than the high-grade 2.0T Track model. Hyundai says that this will allow customers to have a bit of cash leftover for their own tuning needs. Click through for Hyundai's press release with the full R-Spec details.

Editor's Note: Hyundai currently does not have any press shots available at this time, and when we went back to the show floor to bring you live shots, the R-Spec Genesis was nowhere to be found. We promise to upload photos as soon as they become available, but in the meantime, our friends at Autoblog managed to snag some pretty good shots of the car during the short time that it was out in the open.

Hyundai Debuts a HIGH–PERFOMANCE BLANK canvas for tuners: GENESIS COUPE R-SPEC

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2009 – When the colors of your new turbocharged rear-wheel-drive sport coupe are named after international racing circuits, you’d better have the performance and confidence to back it up. Now, Hyundai is upping the ante by announcing an R-Spec version of the all-new 2010 Genesis Coupe, designed to appeal to true enthusiasts who want a low starting price and the ability to tune their car to their own specifications. R-Spec will be available as a mid-2010 model year introduction.

R-Spec provides genuine track-readiness in an affordable model. The R-Spec adds core performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as: Track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance summer tires, Brembo® braking system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and R-Spec badging. To further reduce cost and weight, it also eliminates some non-essential convenience equipment such as: Bluetooth®, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls. The Genesis Coupe R-Spec will be priced at $23,750 and $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades. Appropriately, the R-Spec will be available in three performance oriented exteriors colors: Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red.

R-Spec equipment includes:

· 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210-hp, an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph

· 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission

· Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist

· 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)

· Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)

· Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)

· Torsen-type limited-slip differential

· R-Spec badging

· Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)

· Tire Pressure Monitoring System

· Front, side, side air curtain air bags

· Active front head restraints

· Driver’s lumbar support

· Air conditioning

· Remote keyless entry system

· Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

· Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors

· AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers

· iPod/USB/Aux jack connectivity

· Projector beam headlamps

· Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

· Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec