Sport compacts rule the Hyundai display at SEMA 2011

While last year’s Hyundai display at the SEMA Show focused more on their flagship Equus sedan, the 2011 SEMA display from the booming Korean automaker focused on the high performance aspect of their popular sport compacts – specifically the unique new Veloster hatchback and the Genesis Coupe.

The big unveiling for Hyundai at the 2011 SEMA Show was the Rhys Millen Racing designed Hyundai Genesis Coupe RM500 which packed the power of the Tau 5.0L V8 into the sleek 2-door but around the Hyundai display, show goers got a look at the Genesis Coupe and the Veloster hatchback modified for both style and performance. Hyundai also included a gaming area featuring Forza Motorsport 4 with two stations, allowing gamers a chance to go head to head in fast paced racing action while being surrounded by the modded up Korean sports cars.

The new Hyundai Veloster was designed to be a “green” sport compact that leaned more towards the green side of things than the performance side but the company is quick to point out that they stressed sport as much as they did efficiency and economy. This was bolstered by company CEO John Krafcik announcing that the Veloster will soon be benefitting from a new 1.6L turbocharged engine option and while the company is keeping the actual specs of the new boosted mill a secret for now, Hyundai offered a spread of tuned Veloster models that helped top reinforce the sporty nature of this innovative 4-door hatch. This spread of modded Velosters included one that took the look of a rally car with help from ARK Performance which, coincidentally, had a turbocharged 1.6L Gamma 4-cylinder that offers 210 horsepower. Hyundai also brought out a handful of less modified Veloster models including one that was fitted up to be the ultimate gamers car. Finally, no celebration of the Veloster’s performance capabilities would be complete without Rhys Millen’s super-modified rallycross Veloster sponsored by Red Bull.

The main attraction when it came to the Genesis Coupe was the 449 horsepower RM500 version but Hyundai also brought out the powerful Genesis Hurricane SC Coupe (shown on the right) which uses the 3.8L V6 from the standard production version of the 2-door sports car fitted with a Magnusson supercharger package to pound out some 450 horsepower. The Hurricane SC is also clad in a unique body dressing to make it stand out in the crowd but the biggest news pertains to the high performance modifications. In addition to the blower that helps pack enough power to tackle the top muscle cars on the market, Hyundai built this Coupe up with various Rhys Millen Racing components including an intake and exhaust package to boost the output – also adding a performance suspension and braking package to make sure that it corners as well as it accelerates.

Hyundai has made great strides in working their way into the performance market in the US and at the 2011 SEMA Show, the Korean automaker showed that while they are among the most fuel efficient brands in the US – their cars also have a distinctly sporty side.

Check out the gallery on the right for a closer look at some of the Hyundai products to come to the 2011 SEMA Show by clicking any of the thumbnails and stay tuned to TorqueNews as we bring you a final look at the best of the Vegas show.

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