Los Angeles motor show - Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe

Hyundai plans to introduce a muscular rear-wheel-drive sports coupe to sell alongside the existing front-driven car, known simply as the Hyundai Coupe in the UK but sold as the Tiburon in most countries.

The Concept Genesis Coupe, revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday, gives a good idea of how the 2009 production model will look. The real thing will make its debut at the New York show next spring.

Designed at the Korean company's Californian studios, it is described as 'the most emotional Hyundai ever' and will be marketed as 'the world's most affordable 300bhp sports car' when it goes on sale.

The base model will have a four-cylinder turbocharged engine – capacity and power still to be revealed – but the range will be headed by a 3.8-litre V6 version with more than 300bhp and 250lb ft of pull.

Body stiffness is said to be nearly 25% better than the BMW M3's to aid cornering and handling, and is likely to have a limited-slip differential and powerful Brembo brakes to enhance its sports-car credentials.

When Hyundai showed a high-performance Genesis saloon concept earlier this year and hinted at a coupe to follow, it was widely believed that the current Hyundai Coupe would be the company's last with front-wheel drive.

Now, though, Hyundai says there is a difference between buyers of front- and rear-drive models, and that a new replacement for the Coupe/Tiburon will be produced to sell alongside the two-door Genesis.