Hyundai has released two teaser images that reveal the key styling elements for the 2012 Genesis Coupé, namely, the new face and the updated taillights.

The new front end is more aggressive than the outgoing model. A single, gaping mouth – reminiscent of its Veloster and i40 siblings – has replaced the small upper grille and wide, pinched lower intake. The bonnet is more muscular and the headlights now have a softer edge. At the rear, the taillights are now cleaner, with sharper, flowing details.

The Korean carmaker is keeping quiet on the topic of what will motivate the updated Coupé. The current 2.0-litre turbocharged engine produces 160 kW / 294 Nm and the flagship 3.8-litre V6, 228 kW / 361 Nm. Reports suggest both are in line to receive small power boosts, with some citing figures of 242 kW for the V6 engine that would put it on par with the Nissan 370Z.

The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupé will go on sale in South Korea and the US from early next year. While we haven’t heard any plans for the rear-wheel drive coupe to make its way to South Africa, it would make an exciting and affordable alternative to two-seater coupé offerings such as the Nissan 370Z, Audi TT, BMW Z4, Peugeot RCZ, and specifically, Toyota’s upcoming FT-86.

Just so it’s clear, this car won’t be coming to South Africa, not in the near future at least, but we sure wish it was. Why? Because the 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec is the perfect car to really pound home Hyundai’s competitive edge when it comes to making decent products, and it really expresses their concern for making exciting cars that are reasonably priced.

The new Genesis R-Spec is powered by the same, 228 kW, 3,8-litre V6 that’s in the normal Genesis Coupe, but the power is sent to the rear wheels via a proper Torsen-clutch limited-slip differential. The car also sees the addition of new 19 inch wheels, 13.4-inch Brembo brakes as well as stiffened suspension with adjustable camber settings.

Inside, there are new bucket seats covered in black leather with optional red cloth inserts. There’s also a tyre pressure monitoring system, six airbags, iPod-ready audio package and a six-speed gearbox as per usual Genesis Coupe specification. The sportier R-Spec Genesis Coupe does away with conveniences such as cruise control, automatic headlights or wood/metal grain interior inserts, which according to Hyundai has been done in an effort to save weight. To be honest, we’re not sure how much weight a cruise control button would save – we’re just saying.

With a power-to-ratio that betters the BMW 335i’s, it truly could be an affordable performance car. We can only hope Hyundai South Africa one day announces a local release, but unfortunately there has been no plans for any right-hand drive versions to be made.