L.A. Auto Show: Hyundai Genesis coupe -- Mo’ muscle, less cash

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If you want to buy a 300-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive performance car in the mid-$20,000 range today, you basically have one choice, the Ford Mustang GT (a V-8 equipped Dodge Challenger hovers near $30,000).

That’s all going to change in the next few months, starting in February when the 300-horsepower Chevy Camaro arrives with a sticker price of $22,995. By spring, Hyundai expects to have its Genesis coupe on the market, with the 310-horsepower version expected to be priced somewhere around $25,000.

Examples of the upcoming models are on hand at the show.

The refreshed Mustang GT, which should be priced near its current $27,000 base, looks like it’s in for one tough drag race. Its power is up to 315 horses, from 300 for the previous generation, and it should weigh in at under 3,400 pounds. Ford has retuned its suspension, but there’s no independent rear suspension. Live-axle set-ups like Ford’s generally compromise ride and handling.

But the robust solid axle may better handle massive after-market power upgrades and enable smoother launches in drag races -- activities occasionally indulged by Mustang owners.

The Camaro manages to draw 300 horsepower out of its V-6, essentially matching the Mustang’s V-8 at a lower sticker price. Thanks to the current state of the economy, this might be one time when a hot new model actually is sold for sticker (maybe less ?) rather than with a premium.

The Camaro’s got an independent rear suspension, but weighs a hefty 3,750 pounds.

The American pony cars will be joined by a new arrival that may or may not prove to be a direct competitor. Hyundai’s Genesis coupe features contemporary rather than retro styling, and can be had for an even lower price with the base four-cylinder turbo engine.

Both engine configurations will weigh about the same as the Mustang, with the V-8 a hair under 3,400 pounds and the V-6 a bit under 3,300 pounds.

The Hyundai is eagerly anticipated by the youthful Southern California tuner set (those who modify or ‘tune’ cars after purchasing), who are more interested in high-tech than old-fashioned brute force. With that interest in mind, Hyundai spokesman Kevin Oates said the company is expecting the turbocharged four-cylinder model, rated at 220 horsepower, to be a hot seller.

The four-banger is expected to sell in the low 20s, Hyundai staff said.

Tuners would like the flexibility of modifying a turbo engine for more power, which can be done by numerous methods, such as modifying the blower or altering boost pressure. Oates said the coupe was designed with an extra-rigid body structure.

That not only aids handling, but will help the car manage large horsepower gains. Hyundai claims its structure is 24% more rigid than a BMW E46 M3.

Unlike, say, a Nissan 370Z, the pony cars and Hyundai have back seats. I had a chance to sit in them at the show, and they should work for people up to about 5 1/2 feet tall. I’m over six feet and couldn’t sit in any of the cars without bending way over.

But for small children and large packages, those rear accommodations should be fine.

As tough as things are for the auto industry, for the performance-minded driver on a budget (who isn’t now?), 2009 looks to be a very good year.

-- Peter Y. Hong