Hyundai 5.0 to take on Mustang with 429 horsepower?

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Hyundai, Rumormill, Luxury

Hyundai Genesis Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

“Anything you can do, I can do better” might be playing on the loudspeakers in Korea right now, as Hyundai is apparently set to introduce a bored out version of the formerly 4.6-liter Tau V8 for action in the Genesis Sedan and Equus. More interestingly, this new 5.0 may do duty in the Genesis Coupe as well. This new 5.0-liter V8 was mentioned during a media event at Hyundai R&D and if the claimed numbers are legit, this Mustang-challenger will produce a few more ponies than the Blue Oval bruiser. Where Ford is getting 412 horsepower from its five-point-oh in the 2011 Mustang, Hyundai says its 5.0-liter V8 will be packing 429 hp when it reaches production.

No official word from the South Korean automaker yet, but this new direct-injection 5.0 in sure to be fitted to the Genesis Sedan for 2011, reportedly backed by a new eight-speed automatic transmission developed by Hyundai. Chances are it will eventually find its way under the hood of the Genesis Coupe, possibly backed by a proper stick. Hyundai is apparently launching the Equus with the 4.6-liter Tau, but the new flagship sedan will get the upgraded mill soon after, right about the time the upgraded 2011 Genesis Sedan appears. The output figures being reported are 429 hp at 6,500 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm, with an 11.5:1 compression ratio – a healthy jump above the 385 hp, 333 ft-lb for the 4.6 liter V8 currently found in the Genesis Sedan.

If the 5.0 does show up in the Coupe, we will definitely have to revisit our comparison test subjects from last month. These arms races can start so innocently, but never end well, so don’t be surprised to see Ford’s 5.0 get a bump if this comes to fruition.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track