Fast, good-looking and top-notch JDM performance. These are terms not typically associated with the H badge from Korea. When Hyundai enlisted major aftermarket teams to build up a pre-production Genesis, HKS was at the top of their list. After accepting the proposal they had their work cut out for them. The idea was straightforward-build a realistic representation of what could be done with the new platform. And build it in a manner that any real enthusiast would not only respect, but be proud to own themselves. To say that the end result was a success would be an understatement.
Anyone in the scene would be able to describe HKS as an aftermarket powerhouse of JDM brands. Even if this is the first time you've ever picked up a copy of Super Street, you've most likely at least heard of HKS. In the off chance that you grabbed this magazine because you thought it was Maxim and are not familiar with HKS let us fill you in. HKS is responsible for a fleet of amazing Japanese makes, including numerous record-setting time attack monsters, many of which have graced the cover of Super Street. However, this would be the first time they would dip their feet into a Korean-make this intensely. With a reputation to uphold and a community of tuners to impress, HKS set forth on the Hyundai build.
With SEMA as the official debut, HKS got down to business making all of the chassis-specific parts you see from scratch. Since the Genesis is a new body style, and at this point still pre-production, HKS had nothing to work with for this platform. With the exception of a few electronics pieces everything had to be designed, tested and tuned for the first time. When I got word that I was going to be shooting the vehicle I didn't really know what to expect, but from the moment I saw the car I was blown away. Even more so once the hood was raised, the quality of workmanship is truly second to none.
I couldn't believe my eyes at first sight of the bay. The first thing that drew my attention was all the carbon, this isn't your run-of-the-mill carbon-look bs. It's almost as though they gave up on using metal. It's a treat to see Ti or custom-welded aluminum pieces used in an engine bay from time-to-time, but when I saw the carbon intercooler and intake piping, I had to do a double-take. Aside from racecars, I can't recall ever seeing this method applied to the breathing system of a car. Not to mention the intake scoop, box and strut bar are also carbon. But it gets even better, not only are the parts carbon. HKS took it up a notch by fabricating dry carbon pieces. It doesn't get much better or more baller than that!
Having been around the block more than a few times, the guys at HKS knew that in order to get the response Hyundai was looking for out of the car they would have to do more than just blingy power-adders. Working side-by-side with the people at Kenstyle, this Genesis took on a whole new look. For those of you that didn't see the "Intel" section in our December 2008 issue, we've included a shot from the process. The procedure is so crazy even I didn't believe it until seeing the photos. Even after seeing the photo it's still hard to believe. Kenstyle sent a specialist from Japan out to HKS' US headquarters in Torrance to build the body kit from scratch.
Using little more than wood, putty and some sculpting tools, one man perfectly crafted an exact replica of the computer illustration created back in Japan. This is the type of craftsmanship you can only get from a true JDM body kit, no knock-off stuff here. When the dust cleared, the Kenstyle specialist had handcrafted a front bumper, a rear bumper, side skirts, a hood-lip and an engine cover. A far cry from what the vehicle used to be, all I thought was "damn... that's a Hyundai!?"