By Marc Lachapelle

Korea’s number one carmaker is on a solid streak. Shortly after winning the overall Car of the Year award from AJAC with its Genesis luxury sedan, Hyundai unveiled the 2010 Genesis Coupe, its next contender, at the CIAS.

Built off the same rear-wheel drive platform as the Genesis sedan, the coupe will be available in two versions. The 2.0T Coupe is powered by a new, direct-injection, Theta II turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that develops 210 horsepower and has a starting price of $24,495.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The 3.8 Coupe gets an all-aluminum, DOHC V6 that produces 306 horsepower on regular gasoline and is priced at $32,995. Standard are a six-speed manual gearbox, 18-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, electronic stability control and ABS brakes. A premium package adds luxury and power accessories but performance enthusiasts will be more interested in the GT package that adds brakes from Italian master Brembo, a Torsen-type limited -slip differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights and special black leather seats with red cloth inserts.

Hyundai is also going racing with the Genesis Coupe in the Canadian Touring Car Championship with a pair of Auto Trader-sponsored cars that will be built at the Sprongl brothers’ famed FourStar Motorsport shop.