Hyundai Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-koo calls the Genesis Hyundai's first entry into the European dominated luxury arena.[3] According to Hyundai Vice Chairman Kim Dong-jin, the name Genesis is an indication that the vehicle is the first of many premium cars the company will introduce.[3] The Genesis sedan is a luxury sedan that was designed to compete with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Infiniti M, and Lexus GS.[4] Hyundai targeted 55,000 sales of the Genesis in 2008 (35,000 in Korea and another 20,000 overseas) and 45,000 in 2009,[3] with sales goals of 50,000 per year in the United States.[5] Other competitors to the Genesis in its direct price range include the Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Pontiac G8, and Toyota Avalon.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".[7] 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.[8]
Specifications and equipment
Hyundai manufactures three engines for the Genesis sedan and offers the car internationally with various combinations of the three:The Tau V8 is Hyundai's first homegrown eight cylinder engine. For the 2008-09 model years, the 4.6 L engine produced 375 horsepower (280 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 333 lb·ft at 3,500 rpm.[13] Introduced as a midyear change for the 2010 model, the 4.6 L V8 now produces 385 horsepower (287 kW) at 6,500 rpm, with no change in the torque output: 333 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm.[14] These figures are achieved using premium fuel. The V8 can also run on regular unleaded, in which case the 2010-11 model produces 378 horsepower (282 kW) and 324 lb-ft. For the V8 model, Hyundai has reported 0-60 mph times of less than 6 seconds.[9][15] Car and Driver reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds,[16] while Motor Trend reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds in their October 2008 issue.
The Lambda 3.8 L V6 is available in Korean and North American models. In Korean spec, the engine produces 306 horsepower (228 kW). In US spec this engine produces 290 hp (216 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 264 lb·ft (358 N·m) at 4,500 rpm.[13] Motor Trend reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds.[17]
The Lambda 3.3 L V6 is available in some markets, producing 264 horsepower (197 kW).
In North America, the V8-powered Genesis features a standard ZF 6HP26 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, high-compression engines that require premium fuel.
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.[18]
The Hyundai Genesis utilizes a speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, and comes with four-wheel disc brakes. The suspension is a multi-link setup in front and a 5-link setup in the rear. Weight distribution is 53% front / 47% rear for the V8 and 52% front / 48% rear for the V6.[13]
Standard safety features include dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, side-curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist, EBD, traction control, and electronic stability control.[20]
2010 model year updates
New for the 2010, the 3.8 model offers a Premium Navigation Package which provides a less expensive 7-inch touchscreen navigation as an alternative to the more costly Technology Package. The Premium Navigation Package replaces the previous Premium Plus Package which most notably upgraded to 18-inch alloy wheels, also a part of this new package.For 2010, the 4.6 Genesis was made only in one available trim, with all packages made standard, including the Technology package. The MSRP increased to $43,000 (excluding $800 destination charge), and the car also received a slightly uprated engine as a midyear change, with the 4.6L V8 producing 385 horsepower (287 kW) at 6,500 rpm and an identical 333 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.[14]
Future models
According to the Edmunds.com Inside Line Blog, the 2012 Genesis Sedan will be available with a 5.0L version of the Tau V8, rumored to produce 429 horsepower (320 kW) and 376 lb-ft of torque, along with a new 8-speed automatic transmission.South Korea
The Korean model is available with a 3.3L V6 producing 264 horsepower (197 kW), and a 3.8L V6 producing 289 horsepower (216 kW).
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.[27] However, Hyundai cars in South Korea have more available options and that may be the reason for the mark-ups.
North America
Marketed as the Hyundai Genesis in the US and Canada, the vehicle is the largest, most powerful car that Hyundai has ever marketed there before the launch of the Equus.[2]The Genesis V6 model has a starting price of US$33,800 in USA,[1] while the V8 model starts at US$43,800, including destination charge.[18] According to Hyundai Motor America's current Genesis website,[28] the U.S. engines produce 290 HP for the 3.8L V6, and 385 hp (287 kW) for the Tau 4.6L V8. Power in the 4.6L V8 drops to 378 hp (282 kW) when regular unleaded fuel is used. The 264 horsepower (197 kW) 3.3L V6 variant will not be sold in the United States.
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, 8" navigation system with backup camera, radar assisted cruise control, and the remaining contents of the V6 Technology Package.
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 US market selling only 6,167 units. According to Hyundai, Genesis saw sales of just 1,297 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.[30] In 2009, the Genesis sold 21,889 units in the U.S. (sedan and coupe combined).[31]
There had been internal discussions within Hyundai about creating a separate brand to feature the Genesis sedan as well as the soon to come Equus sedan in North America, but due to prohibitive costs and potential delays the Genesis and Equus will still remain tagged with the Hyundai brand.
Awards
The Genesis sedan was named as Consumer Reports 'Top-Rated Upscale Sedan',[43] highest ranked midsize premium car by JD Power APEAL study (beating out the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF),[44] Tops JD Power's Vehicle Launch Index (VLI),[45] Automotive, Performance, Execution awards by J.D. Power,[46] Car of the Year by Autotropolis.com,[46] named AutoPacific ideal vehicle award winner,[47] recognized as a best new model for 2009 by Kiplinger's Personal Finance,[48] Top Safety Award by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)),[23] Cars.com New Car of the Year,[49] Luxury and Value on the Best New Car List by About.com,[50] Car of the Year at the 2009 Urban Wheel Awards by Wheels Media,[51] named a “Top 5 Luxury Car for 2009” & "Car of the Month (April)" & "Best Car Buy" by the U.S. National Automobile Dealers Association (NADAguides.com),[46][52] "Best Bet" awards from The Car Book,[53] MyRide/Autobytel editors' Choice award,[54] named a consumer guide recommended buy,[55] consumers digest (luxury segment) best buy,[56] America's Top 40 New Cars by Motor Trend,[46] The Genesis was assessed as having the highest residual value by the Automotive Lease Guide while the National Automobile Dealers Association named the Genesis one of the top five luxury sedans.[57][58] According to editor-in-chief blog of Motor Trend magazine, "Hyundai Genesis: A Car Detroit Can Now Only Dream of Building?", The Genesis came close to winning the 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year title.[59] USA Today praised that Hyundai proves it's a master of luxury.[60] Hyundai Genesis sedan awarded as the segment leader for the near-luxury car class of vehicles by Strategic Vision.[61] The Genesis Sedan was named “Best Deal for the Boss” in the Cars.com annual Best Lifestyle Vehicle Awards.[62] In a survey of over consumers, Hyundai owners placed the Genesis luxury sedan at the top of their classes in AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) research.[63]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.[64] It also won the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year after winning its category of Best New Luxury Car under $50,000.[46][65][66] It also won the 2009 Car of the Year award by China's Autoworld magazine.[67] The Hyundai's V8 Tau engine in the Genesis, which develops 375 hp (280 kW) on premium fuel and 368 hp (274 kW) on regular fuel, received 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award.[68]
Based on automotive journalist reviews, The Genesis received a score of 89% on Seven Car Garage, making it one of the best reviewed cars in its class.
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