Hyundai might not seem like much of a performance brand to most people, but their inclusion of models like the Ioniq 5 N and the Elantra N proves how they aren’t afraid of speed. Those two current examples of Hyundai’s performance are exciting, but one is all-electric, and the other just has a four-cylinder engine. Where did all the larger displacement options go?
Some of you might be happy to learn that Hyundai once built some extremely popular, robust, and powerful performance-oriented engines for its sports and luxury cars. In this article, we’ll discuss the history of the Tau V8 engine and the Lambda V6 — both of which were found in various Hyundai and Genesis models until recently.
Hyundai’s Tau V8 Engines
What Is It, Where It Started, And Which Models Use It
2009 Hyundai Genesis Tau V8 engine close-upHyundai
Let’s start with the basics: When did the first Tau V8 debut, and in which car? The first Hyundai vehicle to feature a Tau V8 engine was the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. It really started with a team of 100 engineers who took two years and 260 billion won (or about $176,432,750 USD at the current conversion rate) to develop the original 4.6-liter powertrain. The first 5.0-liter V8 in the Tau family was developed for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis and Equus, but lived for far longer than the original 4.6L.
Which Cars Used Hyundai’s V8 Engine?
The Tau V8 engines — both the 4.6L and 5.0L — were primarily installed in Hyundai and Genesis models, with a single Kia SUV, the Borrego, finding a 4.6L V8 under its hood.
Tau 4.6-Liter V8
- Hyundai Genesis
- Kia Borrego
- Hyundai Equus
Tau 5.0-Liter V8
- Genesis G80
- Genesis G90
- Hyundai Equus
- Hyundai Genesis
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The Last Tau V8, and What it’s Worth Today
This V8 Engine Didn’t Last Forever
Even though Hyundai’s Tau engine has proven itself as one of the most popular options among enthusiasts, all good things come to an end eventually. The death of the V8 is not an isolated event; manufacturers everywhere have been moving their sports cars and luxury cars towards smaller-displacement engines with forced-induction, and some are embracing hybrid technology that makes their smaller-engine sports cars just as quick as the V8s of old. As such, you can find great deals on used Hyundai and Genesis models with the Tau V8. We included the last example of each Tau V8 (both the 4.6-liter MPi and 5.0-liter GDi), how much power those engines produced for the last time, what they cost when they were new, and how much they’re worth today according to Kelley Blue Book.
2012 Hyundai Genesis
2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Exterior Finished In Silver DrivingHyundai
2012 Hyundai Genesis w/ Tau MPi Engine Overview
Price When New
$44,500
Current Used Value
$7,100
Engine
4.6-Liter V8
Horsepower | Torque
385 hp | 333 lb-ft
The last model to feature the 4.6-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine was the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan. It’s tau MPi produced 385 horsepower and 333 b-ft of torque. As some of you may already know, the 2012 Genesis was also the first year to feature the 5.0 R Spec, which, as the name suggests, was equipped with an even more powerful 5.0-liter V8 that made 429 horsepower. Sticking to the last 4.6-liter though, the Genesis was a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan with an eight-speed automatic that could launch to sixty miles per hour from a standstill in about five and a half seconds, according to independent testing. While this was the last and top-performing version of the 4.6-liter Tau MPi, the Hyundai Genesis was not exactly a sports car. This engine provided a smooth, powerful experience without the cornering capabilities of a smaller sports car.
2021 Genesis G90
2020 Genesis G90 front 3/4 angle in red while parkedGenesis
2021 Genesis G90 w/ Tau GDi Engine Overview
Price When New
$76,700
Current Used Value
$35,900
Engine
5.0L Twin-Turbo V8
Horsepower | Torque
420 hp | 383 lb-ft
When Genesis split from Hyundai to create a standalone luxury car brand, it started with the G90. As the new manufacturer’s flagship model, Genesis knew it had to be impressive. The base model was equipped with a Lambda 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 (we’ll talk about Lambda engines next), but the higher trim level got Hyundai’s Tau GDi 5.0-liter V8, which continued to power the G90 through the 2021 model year. The Tau GDi installed in the 2021 G90 made 420 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. It could launch to sixty MPH from a dig in about five seconds flat. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission, which drove either only the rear wheels, or could be bought with optional all-wheel-drive.
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Hyundai’s Lambda V6 Engines
What Is It, And Which Models Use It
3.8-liter V6 engine in the Hyundai Genesis CoupeHyundai
The Lambda engine is synonymous with Hyundai and Kia today, since so many engines are part of the Lambda family. This family includes all-aluminum V6 engines found in a variety of sedans and SUVs over the last couple of decades, and as recently as the 2025 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. There are versions with 3.0L, 3.3L, 3.5L, and 3.8L of displacement. For this article’s purposes, we’re sticking with the higher-performance version of the 3.8-liter engine. Even though the Palisade has a 3.8L V6 today, there are more powerful versions in sports cars of the past.
Which Cars Used Hyundai’s 3.8L V6?
We’ll skip over the lower-displacement engines in the Lambda family to get right to the Lambda II RS. These more powerful and refined 3.8-liter V6 powertrains can be found as either the RS MPi or RS GDi. Both are powerful and relatively reliable, but the RS GDi wears the crown for being the last example of its kind still used in a Hyundai sports car.
Lambda II RS MPi 3.8L V6
- Hyundai Equus
- Hyundai Genesis
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Lambda II RS GDi 3.8L V6
- Genesis G80
- Genesis G90
- Hyundai Equus
- Hyundai Genesis
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The Last Lambda II RS GDi V6, And What It’s Worth Today
The Lambda Name Lives On, But Excludes Performance Versions
The most powerful version of any Lambda engine is the Lambda II RS GDi, which can be found in a handful of vehicles mentioned in the last section. The Hyundai Genesis sedan and Equus sedan both had this engine — it was tuned for up to 333 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. If you chose the Genesis G80 or G90, produced by the standalone automaker after it split from Hyundai, this engine was tuned for 311 horsepower and 293 lb-ft of torque. However, there was one true sports car with this version of the engine that was tuned for even more power. Here’s the last and most powerful example of the Lambda II RS GDi:
2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe front 3/4 angle in red while parkedHyundai
2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe w/ Lambda II RS GDi Engine Overview
Price When New
$26,950
Current Used Value
$10,200
Engine
3.8-Liter V6
Horsepower | Torque
348 hp | 295 lb-ft
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe was a two-door, rear-wheel-drive sports car built to rival other affordable sports cars like the Nissan 370Z, and the V6 variants of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. All but the Mustang have since been discontinued. The Genesis Coupe was built for the 2012–2016 model years. Some years could be found with a smaller, cheaper, and weaker turbo four-cylinder, but the 2016 model year only brought the 3.8-liter engine to the table. It made 348 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which could be sent to the rear wheels through your choice of either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Though the manual might feel more engaging, the automatic was faster with a zero to sixty time under six seconds.
Summary: Two Excellent Engines That Died Too Soon
They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To
2015 Hyundai Genesis CoupeHyundai
Hyundai’s performance cars might use electric motors or smaller engines today, but there was a time when you could buy a premium luxury car or two-door sports car from the brand (or its luxury counterpart, Genesis) with an eight-cylinder block under the hood. The Tau V8 might be gone now, but you can still find some great deals on used examples in good condition. The same goes for sports cars with the most powerful Lambda engine, too. The Lambda family is larger, and more complicated to sort through the numbers, but the single most powerful version, and the last example to be built, was the 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
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Sources: Hyundai, Genesis, Kelley Blue Book
