Hyundai, ARK Performance combine for SEMA-bound Legato Genesis Coupe

Tue, 08 Oct 2013

The latest body-kitted Hyundai Genesis Coupe scheduled to appear at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas is the ARK Performance Legato Concept. In a nod to performance fiends, Hyundai built a stroker V6 good for 400 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque to really set the coupe off.

The extra power is a very good thing when one considers how fast the Legato Coupe looks. Speaking of the Italian musical term "legato," it translates to "tied together," and it was the theme ARK adhered to when it designed the car. In ARK's words, the the Legato conveys "the seamless integration of exotic design, tuned performance and luxury coupe interior ambience."

ARK's body kit includes front and rear bumpers, side skirts, deck lid and "wide-body cues." The 3.8-liter V6 was stroked to 4.0 liters courtesy of JE pistons, connecting rods and a billet steel crankshaft. ARK supplied an intake system and headers, and bolted on a lightweight pulley kit. An ARK oil cooler keeps the engine running at the right temperature. The tuning company also bolted on one of its dual-mass flywheels and carbon clutch kit to handle the extra power.

The car is lowered on an ARK coilover suspension system, sports Rays Engineering wheels and has an interior with Takata Drift Pro LE seats, AiM Sports Strada GT steering wheel, digital gauge cluster and a Rockford Fosgate sound system.

Check out the press release below for more details, or go see it in person at SEMA on November 5-8.

HYUNDAI JOINS FORCES WITH ARK PERFORMANCE TO CREATE LEGATO CONCEPT GENESIS COUPE FOR SEMA SHOW

COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 7, 2013 – ARK Performance, a core Hyundai SEMA partner in recent years, has developed a new Legato Concept based on the Genesis Coupe that promises to add to its successful SEMA legacy. The performance luxury coupe concept will be showcased at the 2013 SEMA show in Las Vegas, November 5-8.

"Legato" is an Italian musical term meaning "tied together," conveying the seamless integration of exotic design, tuned performance and luxury coupe interior ambience. From the exterior, the Legato Concept takes the design themes of the production Genesis Coupe and expands them to concept car levels, while retaining the integrity of the original design. The complete ARK Legato body treatment includes front and rear bumpers, side skirts, deck lid and wide-body cues, for a truly unique and integrated exotic performance look. A racing silver exterior color maximizes the surface visibility of the concept's nuanced design.

"The ARK Legato Concept demonstrates the compelling appeal and versatility of the original Genesis Coupe production concept," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, product planning, Hyundai Motor America. "ARK Performance has taken this original concept and expanded its appeal to the most demanding premium coupe owners at a whole new level."

While the Legato exterior sends a powerful exotic car message, the performance tuning under the hood and wheel arches more than backs it up. The production-based Hyundai 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine is stroked to 4.0-liters for 400 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of stoplight-launching torque. Inside the block, a Brian Crower (BC) 4.0 Stroker Kit with JE Pistons and BC 4340 crankshaft, connecting rods, and ARK oil cooler ensure maximum output with superior durability. An ARK intake system and headers enhance engine breathing at high rpm, while a lightweight pulley kit reduces parasitic power losses from ancillary equipment. For power delivery, an ARK dual-mass flywheel and carbon clutch kit ensure efficient power transfer to the pavement.

With the Legato concept at speed, an ARK DT-P coil-over suspension system coupled with lightweight Rays Engineering G25 wheels and Nitto NT05 tires ensure outstanding dynamic grip, while ARK carbon brake pads add fade resistance and stopping power. The Legato interior is a complete luxury performance concept that includes Takata Drift Pro LE seats, AiM Sports Strada GT steering wheel, and digital gauge cluster. A Rockford Fosgate premium sound system provides backup entertainment whenever the exhaust note is at less than full song.

By Damon Lowney