Hyundai joins MINI vs Porsche PR orgy with own video challenge

The attention seekers at MINI have some new company as Hyundai has decided to join their quest to grab headlines.

As the video shows, Hyundai has effectively offered to take Porsche's place at Road Atlanta. While the clip isn't as well made as the Rocky IV spoof, it's a cheap way for Hyundai to promote the Genesis Coupe which competes with the V6-powered Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Challenger.

As you may recall, MINI started this whole mess by running a full page ad in the New York Times which challenged Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta. After several rounds of prodding by former-Porsche alum and current MINI USA boss, Jim McDowell, Porsche's Detlev Von Platen responded by saying "While your challenge seems like a fun and lighthearted campaign, we'll stick to racing the way we have over the decades. We welcome you at Sebring, Le Mans, Daytona or any other sanctioned race where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces."

MINI apparently didn't get the message, so they rented a plane and flew a banner reading "Dear Porsche, Bring it! Love, MINI," over Porsche's North American headquarters.

Will MINI have the guts to swallow their own marketing mischief pill or will they be as wimpy as... a 75hp (56 kW / 76 PS) MINI First? Only time will tell.