Hyundai To Sell 3.8 Liter V6 and 2.0 Liter Turbo Four As Crate Engines

Hyundai used the SEMA show to announce a new crate engine program starting in December that will offer the company’s Lambda 3.8-liter, direct-injected V6 and Theta 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engines to aftermarket tuners at significant discounts over the cost of similar replacement engines.

The four cylinder will be available in two configurations, a turbo ready engine priced at $4,500 and one already equipped with a turbocharger, intercooler and intake ducting, priced at $6,000. The 3.8L V6 is priced at $9,000. For comparison, the Ford 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine with similar power output as the Hyundai 2.0 liter motor has an MSRP of $8,000. The crate engines are covered by Hyundai’s 12-month/12,000 mile replacement parts warranty not the company’s well-known 10-year/100,000 powertrain warranty on new Hyundai vehicles.

Both engines come with intake manifolds, ignition coil packs, injectors and fuel rails. The turbo ready four was developed for those tuners planning to use larger turbochargers than the stock unit.

While we don’t normally lift quotes straight from a press release, we found Hyundai CEO John Krafcik’s remarks rather interesting, given the fact that most OEMs willfully ignore the aftermarket and tuner market beyond cursory show cars at SEMA

“As more Genesis Coupes have entered the pre-owned enthusiast market since its 2009 launch, we’ve witnessed strong interest in leveraging the low cost potential of this rear-drive platform and its powertrains for the tuner market and motorsports…Now, with our new crate engine program, Hyundai is making it more affordable for these same enthusiasts to modify their Genesis Coupe, or perhaps inject some high-value horsepower into other platforms.”

While engines like the Ford Coyote and Ecoboost motors and the Chevrolet LSx have cult followings in the aftermarket community, there is little in the sport compact market that is comparable, with the LSx itself being a darling of certain portions of the import community. Perhaps Hyundai is looking to corner that market with a non-American alternative.