At the 2008 New York motor show three Asian automakers introduced a trio of vehicles upping the performance bar in the sedan/coupe class, including concepts from Suzuki and Kia and a production-ready model from Hyundai.

The Kizashi 3, a mid-sized sedan concept from American Suzuki Motor Corp., represents the company's hope for increased sales. The car, the largest and most luxurious Suzuki model yet, should go on sale in the U.S. by 2010. Equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 generating 300hp, the Kizashi reached its most production-ready iteration at the New York motor show and, according to the marketing vice president for the U.S. division, Gene Brown, "This is no mere exercise in styling; this vehicle is showing you the direction we are going with a future production vehicle."

Kia showed off a concept called the Koup, based on the Spectra, with an exterior wedge-shape styling and "check mark" definition on the sides. With a big lower front spoiler and large brake cooling intakes at the corners, the overall look will appeal to sports car enthusiasts or "wanna be" sports car drivers. Look for a 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder producing 290 hp under the hood. Tom Kearns, Kia Motors America's chief designer said, "It's an emotional design, for young people who are ready to make a move up."

Finally, Hyundai offered up the production version of the Genesis coupe shown last year at the New York show as a concept. Aimed at customers who want an affordable, high performance vehicle, the coupe can be outfitted with either a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3-8 liter V6 generating 212 and 306 hp respectively. Both engines have a six-speed manual transmission standard, with the V6 offering five and six speed automatics as options. The vehicle should appear in dealerships by spring 2009.