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Hyundai Genesis
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The Hyundai Genesis is a rear-wheel drive, full-size car introduced initially as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show.
Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and will initially market the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan," in one body style with three possible engines. The Genesis will at least not initially be introduced to Europe. A coupe version was introduced at the 2008 New York International Auto Show and will join the sedan at a later date.
Hyundai targets 55,000 sales of the Genesis in 2008 (35,000 in Korea and another 20,000 overseas) and 45,000 in 2009, with sales goals of 50,000 per year in the United States.
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Encyclopedia
The Hyundai Genesis is a rear-wheel drive, full-size car introduced initially as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show.
Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and will initially market the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan," in one body style with three possible engines. The Genesis will at least not initially be introduced to Europe. A coupe version was introduced at the 2008 New York International Auto Show and will join the sedan at a later date.
Hyundai targets 55,000 sales of the Genesis in 2008 (35,000 in Korea and another 20,000 overseas) and 45,000 in 2009, with sales goals of 50,000 per year in the United States. According to the Hyundai Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-koo, the Genesis is Hyundai's first entry into the European dominated luxury arena.
According to Hyundai Vice Chairman Kim Dong-jin, the name Genesis is a reflection that the vehicle is the first of many premium cars the company will introduce. Edmunds.com gave the car 9.5 out of 10 points, stating that it features a cabin comparable to a top-of-the-line Lexus, but pointed to lacking "brand cachet" as the main problem. The Hyundai Genesis was named the 2009 North American Car of the Year.
Development and design
Introduced in March, 2007 as the "Concept Genesis", the sedan was designed by Hyundai as a "progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drive sports sedan". Hyundai conceived the idea for the Genesis in 2003. The body design took three years and the total cost of the program was $500 million over a development period of 23 months. Reliability testing ran for 800,000 miles.
Hyundai reportedly benchmarked the BMW 5-Series sedan during the Genesis' development; their press release indicates the Genesis body-in-white exceeds the BMW in torsional rigidity by 14%. The production Genesis sedan received a five-star crash rating in every category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Specifications and equipment
Hyundai will manufacture three engines for the Genesis sedan, marketing the car internationally with various combinations of the three:
The Tau V8 is Hyundai's first internally engineered 8 cylinder engine and Hyundai's first V8 equipped vehicle offered in North America. The 4.6L engine produces at 6,500 rpm and 333 lb·ft at 3,500 rpm. Hyundai has reported 0-60 mph times of less than 6 seconds. Car and Driver reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, while Motor Trend reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds in their October 2008 issue.
The Lambda 3.8L V6 is scheduled for availability in North America, now available in Korean models, producing . In US spec this engine produces 290 hp at 6,200 rpm and 264 lb·ft at 4,500 rpm. reports a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds.
The Lambda 3.3L V6 is available in the Korean market, producing .
In North America, the V8-powered Genesis features a standard 6-speed automatic transmission from ZF Friedrichshafen (identical to the unit found in the BMW 5-Series), with the base V6 models receiving the 6-speed automatic Aisin transmission also found in the Hyundai Veracruz. All three engines can run on regular gasoline, an exception to most high-performance engines that require premium fuel, though using premium does boost performance.
Standard features on all models in the US include cruise control, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, leather seat-upholstery and steering wheel, heated front seats with power adjustments, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, remote keyless entry and starting, and a seven-speaker audio system with XM satellite radio.
An optional Lexicon audio system offers 7.1 channels, 528 watts output, 17 speakers, two 3-way transducer systems, five 2-way transducer systems and digital signal processing that provides equalization among driver and passengers. The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the only other automobile to offer the system. Initially projected features like adaptive cruise control are not yet available.
The Hyundai Genesis utilizes a speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, and comes with power-assisted discs on all corners. The suspension is a Multi-link setup in front and an advanced 5-link setup in the rear for enhanced ride and handling characteristics. Weight distribution is 53% front / 47% rear for the V8 and 52% front / 48% rear for the V6.
Standard safety features include dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, side-curtain airbags, tire-pressure monitor, ABS, brake assist, EBD, traction control, and electronic stability control.
Crash scores
- Frontal Driver:
- Frontal Passenger:
- Side Driver:
- Side Rear Passenger:
- Rollover:
- "Top Safety Pick" Award by IIHS
Global marketing
South Korea
- A full production version went on sale on January 8, 2008 in Hyundai's home market of South Korea . Notably, the Korean market Genesis does not carry a Hyundai badge, only the 'Genesis' emblem.
- The Korean model is available with a 3.3L V6 producing , and a 3.8L V6 producing .
Hyundai has come under criticism from Korean consumers over the price discrepancy between the US and Korean markets. Yonhap reports the Genesis costs "58.3 million won (US$57,000) in Korea, whereas in the U.S. it sells for $32,000." This has led to a growing market in reimported Genesises by gray market dealers. Korean regulators are currently investigating whether Hyundai has abused its 75% domestic market share.
North America
Marketed as the Hyundai Genesis in the US, the vehicle is the largest, most powerful car that Hyundai has ever marketed there.
Marketed as the Hyundai Genesis in Canada, the V6 will be available beginning Summer 2008, and the V8 to follow in the fall.
The Genesis V6 model has a starting price of $33,000, while the V8 model starts at US $38,000, including destination charge. According to Hyundai Motor America's current Genesis website, the US engines are projected to 290, and 375 hp for the 3.8L V6, and the 4.6L V8 respectively. Power in the 4.6L V8 drops to 368 hp when regular unleaded fuel is used. (As of April, the 3.3L V6 264 hp lineup has been dropped from coming into the United States. So there will be only two cars in the summer of 2008, and they are 3.8L V6 with 290 hp and 4.6L V8 with 375 hp).
The 3.8 V6 model has standard ESC, fog lights, ABS brakes, an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC, Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, and a Proximity Key with Push Button Start system that is shared with the Hyundai Veracruz. It also offers a Premium Package, which adds a leather-wrapped dashboard and door trims, a power sunroof, an advanced Lexicon 15-speaker audio system with a 6 single-feed CD changer, power tilt-and telescopic steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and an automatic defogging windshield. The Premium Plus Package offers the Premium Package and special 18-inch wheels. The Technology Package offers another Lexicon audio system with 17-speakers, ventilated driver's seat, a navigation system, a backup camera, and a complimentary XM NavTraffic system. The navigation system adds a back-up camera, and is controlled by a multimedia knob controller by the shift gear.
The 4.6 V8 model offers all the standard features of the Genesis 3.8 model, but adds a woodgrain trimmed steering wheel, 18" wheels, ultra premium leather seating surfaces, and special lower body chrome trim. The Technology Package is also featured with his trim level. Ultra premium leather seating surfaces will not be offered on the 4.6 V8 model in Canada.
The Genesis sedan went on sale in the US in August 2008. In its first 5 months of sales, the Genesis under-performed in the competitive U.S. market selling only 6,167 units. According to Hyundai, Genesis saw sales of 1297 units in its first full sales month and the company expected to move around 8000 units from the US showrooms by the end of 2008.
China
- To be sold as Hyundai Rohens in China, the unveiling is scheduled for Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, 2008. Sales are set to begin in August, 2008.
Europe
According to Hyundai spokesman Oles Gadacz, the Genesis will not be marketed in Europe because of Lexus's failure to thrive in Europe.
According to a September 2007 article in Tradingmarkets.com, " in the eyes of European purchasers of luxury vehicles, Hyundai sedans have been perceived as having a poor image and unreliable durability compared with its rivals." "The planned launch of Genesis comes at a time when Hyundai is striving to shake off its poor-brand image, known for generous warranties and low prices."
Coupe version
A rear wheel drive sports car from Hyundai, dubbed Hyundai Genesis Coupe and sharing the Genesis Sedan's platform and name, was unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.
Media coverage
The Hyundai Genesis was listed in Motor Trends 2007 "Top Ten Cars Worth Waiting For" and was featured in TV ads during the third and fourth quarters of Super Bowl XLII. As a part of Hyundai's 'Think About It' ad campaign, the ads suggested the Genesis offers "7-series size, 5 series performance, 3-series price."
- and
During an early review by South Korean reviewer, Hyundai Motor America responded that the South Korean market favors a different kind of large luxury sedan, one that's softer, more luxurious, and more Buick-like; while the North American version would have more sporty suspension. However, even the stiffened model still has much softer feel than Mercedes-Benz E550.
The base Genesis with the V6 engine is priced at $37,995 CAD and compete with entry-level luxury cars such as the Lexus ES 350 and Cadillac CTS, though equipment-wise it is comparable to mid-luxury sedans such as the Lexus GS or Infiniti M. The Genesis with the 4.6-litre V8 starts at $43,995 CAD and its performance is comparable with the BMW 550i and Mercedes E550.
Awards
The Genesis has received a number of well-recognized automobile awards worldwide. Most notably, the Genesis has been named 2009 North American Car of the Year, the first for Hyundai.It also won the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year (Best New Luxury Car under $50,000). The Hyundai's V8 Tau engine in the Genesis, which develops 375hp on premium fuel and 368hp on regular fuel, received 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award.
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