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2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
After appearing in lightly disguised "concept" form at last fall's L.A. auto show, Hyundai's Genesis coupe now presents itself in showroom-ready trim. Riding on a cut-down version of the Genesis sedan's rear-wheel-drive platform, the coupe has a wheelbase that is 4.6 inches shorter, and its overall length is trimmed by 13.6 inches.

The sedan's V-8 engine is nowhere to be seen, but the coupe will get the four-door's 3.8-liter V-6, here bumped up to 310 hp, as well as a 2.0-liter turbocharged four good for 223 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard with either engine, and optional automatics will sport five gears (four-cylinder) or six (V-6). A four-wheel independent suspension is standard, as are stability control and antilock brakes. An optional Brembo brake package boasts larger discs and monoblock, four-piston calipers. A limited-slip differential is also available. The Genesis coupe will be Hyundai's first serious performance car, and the factory promises a 0-to-60-mph time of "under six seconds" for the V-6 (no word on the turbo four) and top speeds of 149 mph (V-6) and 137 mph (four-cylinder).

The car's closest current competitors may be the Infiniti G37 and the Ford Mustang, but the Genesis coupe could also be seen as the second coming of the Nissan 240SX. Widely ignored while it was still in production, the 240SX has achieved fame in the decade since its cancellation as a favorite steed for drifting competitions and for drift fans who want to share in the tail-out good times. A price starting in the low $20,000s should put the Genesis coupe within reach of that market, but whether it will pick up that tire-smoking thread is something we won't know until next spring, when the car goes on sale as a 2010 model.

2009 Honda Fit
Honda isn't offering the full scoop on the 2009 Fit just yet, but we have the official images and a few tidbits on the all-new B-segment star. Honda will offer a satellite navigation system with voice recognition for the first time in its subcompact and iPod integration is now standard on the Fit Sport.

The Fit is still motivated by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, but the engine is new. No specific power figures have yet been released. Honda promises the best mix of power and fuel economy from the new engine, but that mix will clearly be skewed towards fuel economy. Transmission choices include a true manual and an automatic with optional wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Both the automatic and manual transmissions feature five forward gears. Engineers worked hard to enhance the Fit's sporty image by tightening up the suspension, increasing body rigidity, and revising the steering system. We don't have specific information on how these components were changed, but that information will be available closer to the car's launch this fall. Rim size has been increased to 15-inches for the Fit and 16-inches for the Fit Sport.

Safety enhancements are always important in the B-segment, and the Fit delivers. Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure is now built into the Fit along with active head restraints. Electronic stability control is optional for 2009. The usual mix of advanced airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake force distribution round out Fit's safety features.

To be specific, the FX35 will produce 303 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 28 hp, but a loss of 6 lb-ft of twist compared with the outgoing FX35. Both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models use a new seven-speed automatic transmission with manual override and rev-matching downshifts. Magnesium paddle shifters are available for those who wish to maximize the effectiveness of the manu-matic option.

The FX35 will not be available with the 21-inch Enkei rims found on the FX50. Base models make do with 18-inch alloy wheels, but 20-inchers with a metallic finish are available. Another difference between the FX50 and FX35 is only the FX50 will have the option of active rear wheel steering. Inside the FX, the V-8 model has an 8.0-inch information display to the V-6 model's 7.0-inch display. Features like heated and cooled seats, driver's seat memory function, aluminum pedals, and Bluetooth capability are optional on the FX35, but standard on the FX50.

2009 Dodge Challenger
Dodge rolled out the 2008 Challenger SRT8 in Chicago, but saved the complete 2009 Challenger line for the New York Auto Show. R/T models feature the new generation 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with 370 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque while SE models utilize a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 250 hp and 250 lb-ft. Dodge expects the R/T model to be the volume seller.

Buyers who opt for the six-speed manual transmission will get a slight upgrade in power: the 5.7-liter Hemi is tuned for 375 hp and 404 lb-ft when mated to a manual transmission. This is the first application of a manual transmission in an LX car, but we're hoping it won't be the last. The slight bump in power means owners will be asked to burn premium fuel, but the addition of variable valve timing and dual ignition net the 5.7-liter V-8 an estimated five percent increase in fuel economy.

Dodge adds hill start assist for manual Challengers, so drivers in hilly areas will have an easier time taking off from a stop. A new limited-slip differential helps keep drive wheels hooked up during hard acceleration. Thankfully, SRT8 buyers will be offered a six-speed manual option for 2009. An impressive collection of Mopar accessories are available to enhance your Challenger right at the time of purchase. Upgrades range from basic air intake systems all the way up to revised camshafts, cylinder heads, and forged crankshafts. A coil-over suspension kit drops the ride height by 1.625-inches and should improve ride quality. Most of the performance parts are for the Hemi engines, but the interior and exterior upgrades can be fitted to any Challenger model.

The Challenger R/T and SE retain the SRT8's lines, but will offer a slightly softer suspension and less aggressive tires. With correspondingly lower prices, the less-powerful Challengers will make this pony car more accessible to the masses.

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