When iconic sports cars are mentioned, our minds easily drift to the popular European vehicles we often come across regularly, like the BMWs, Audi, and even the classy Porsche. But then, several Korean automakers have been able to fight their way into the public's eye and rival some excellent sports cars in the market.
These manufacturers have done a lot to bring out optimum performance from their vehicles and have built some Korean sports cars that can outperform their European counterparts. Credit can be given to companies like Hyundai, who add class and style to their vehicles while giving them the rugged and desired performance needed by the market. While there have been some really bad cars from Korea, the sheer number of incredible sports cars from the region means automakers around the globe can only look over their shoulders. So here, we look at the coolest Korean sports cars ever made,
10 Hyundai Tiburon
Produced from 2002 until 2008, the Hyundai Tiburon was a coupe and was very affordable to anyone looking for a fast ride on a low budget, making it a perfect track-day vehicle. Found on the regular Tiburon was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a not-so-large 138 horsepower capacity.
Although, when going for the GT trim, you'd be sure to find a much better engine with a 2.7-liter V6 with a more satisfying 172 horses. For fuel economy, the Tiburon wasn't the best as it delivers 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
9 Hyundai Genesis G80
Possessing both class and beauty, the Hyundai Genesis G80 is one of Korea's fastest sports cars. Many gearheads who have seen this beauty long to have it in their garages. Under the hood of this piece of art is a 2.5-liter turbo-four engine with a whopping 300 horsepower capacity.
Also good on fuel economy, the Hyundai Genesis G80 has a combined rating of 32 mpg, and it would cost about $48,000 to purchase this vehicle.
8 Kia Stinger GT
This luxurious-looking sports car offers high performance and exciting features for its users. The Kia Stinger GT is equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine with a high thrust capacity and never fails to deliver scintillating performance on the roads.
A particularly interesting feature of the Kia Stinger GT is its well-designed interior with comfortable spacing and high-tech equipment. Not to forget that the car delivers as much as 368 horsepower and is quite efficient on fuel in the real-world test as carried out by the EPA.
7 Hyundai Veloster
Hyundai's Veloster is a three-door hatchback that delivers a lot more satisfaction to its users than it appears. On the regular Veloster, you'd find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a generating capacity of 147 horsepower, while on the turbo-powered models, you'd find a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that feeds the engine a 201 horsepower capacity.
The Veloster will comfortably seat four passengers, and while it isn’t exactly great on fuel economy, it is just above average.
6 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Talk about taking the public by surprise; that's what Hyundai did when it released the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, a rear-wheel-drive sports car that was powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and generated a 303 horsepower capacity.
Standard on the Genesis Coupe is a 6-speed manual transmission, but it also has the option of being installed with a 6-speed automatic depending on user preferences. Not particularly satisfying but not terrible either, the car uses 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
5 Hyundai Veloster N
Hyundai assigned the ‘N’ name to signify its high and distinctive performance and distinguish it from the Veloster. Hyundai's Veloster N delivers plenty of fun and impressive handling to drivers with its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that emits 275 ponies.
Initially manufactured with a 6-speed manual transmission, the Veloster N now has an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which aids in smoother shifting giving the driver utmost satisfaction. The vehicle can hit 60 mph in just about 5.1 seconds.
4 Hyundai Genesis G70
Radiating top-notch sleekness and class, the Hyundai Genesis G70 would pass for one of those cool Mercedes you see swoosh by. From the exterior, it is evident that the manufacturers put a lot into this undeniably irresistible sports car.
The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor that spurts about 255 horsepower, and if you’re looking for extra performance, then the optional twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 engine is a great pick. The V-6 engine generates as much as 365 horsepower giving the G70 the desired capacity to run unhindered.
3 Oullim Spirra
The little-known automaker, Oullim Motors, spent over nine years developing the Oullim Spirra. After its manufacture, the Spirra received lots of positive reviews, and since then, special editions have been built. Although the Spirra cannot be considered a successful sports car in commercial terms, it is one of the superb cars from Korea we’d love to drive.
The car was designed as a two-door coupe powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine that supplies 400 horsepower. Smooth and easy handling was made possible by its 6-speed manual transmission that aided steady shifting.
2 Kia Cadenza
A step in the luxury direction for Kia Motors and a good one is found in their Kia Cadenza. Kia Motors also fed this vehicle with a powerful V-6 engine with cool features and an excellent interior.
Although it doesn't measure up to some of its rivals, it would still satisfy its user as it supplies a comfortable 290 horsepower. Attaining a top speed of 143 mph, the Cadenza is also fuel-efficient as it uses 20 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.
1 De Macross Epique
Fast, sleek, and just right for your speed runs, the De Macross Epique gets the job done. With its name, one would easily mistake it for an Italian hypercar, but the De Macross Epique was developed by the De Macross Motor Corp founded by Korean businessman Johang (Keyser) Hur.
This car was capable of reaching a top speed of 230 mph and had a remarkable 857 horsepower capacity making it a perfect race car, plus bonus points for its wing doors. Powering the vehicle was a 5.4-liter Roush Yates V8 engine motivating it to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.