Hyundais have long since earned their quality stripes and were welcomed into millions of American garages. Cars like the current-generation Sonata, Azera, and Tiburon rank near the top of their classes in fun and refinement. However, Hyundai has yet to build a true Lexus competitor that luxury car buyers yearn to own.
Said John Krafcik, vice president, product development and strategic planning, Hyundai Motor America, "While Genesis will compete for customers with cars like the Chrysler 300 and Pontiac G8, our engineering benchmarks were Mercedes E Class, Infiniti M, and Lexus GS. Genesis provides a potent combination of performance, luxury, and value. We think it has the opportunity to be an extremely disruptive force in the large sedan and near-luxury segments."
Developed on an all-new platform, the Genesis sedan is like nothing Hyundai has ever sold in North America. Engineers chose a rear-drive layout for balanced performance and more refined steering. The rear-drive design allowed front wheels to be placed closer to the corners, which further improves handling. Thanks to a lighter, but fortified, body structure, the Genesis will be 12-14 percent more rigid than industry leaders BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class. Like Mercedes, the Genesis will ride on a five-link suspension system for the perfect balance of comfort and control. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard.
It wouldn't make sense to put so much effort into a world-class platform and not endow it with stellar engines; three will be offered. Base models will come with a 264 horsepower 3.3-litre V6, but buyers can opt for either a 290 horsepower 3.8-litre V6 or Hyundai's all-new 375 horsepower 4.6-litre V8, the first eight-cylinder engine to be offered in an American market. One can burn regular unleaded in the V8, but output will be reduced to 368 hp. All engines are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions with Shiftronic manual control.
As with the chassis and powertrain, Genesis' styling shows the maturity and refinement we're starting to expect from Hyundai. From the front, it is easy to see a little Mercedes or Lexus. Rear details and side profile could have come from an Infiniti or BMW. It looks expensive and is surely aerodynamically efficient. Subtle chrome detailing and large lamps add interest. Adaptive front lighting points the way around curves.
BMW and Infiniti can be seen in the interior. That's no insult—both offer sumptuous and intricately crafted cabins. As Hyundai's flagship, it is loaded with beautiful wood grain, leather seats, wood and leather steering wheel, joy-wheel controller for the electronic screen, leather-wrapped dash and console lid surround, and heated/cooled seats. An automatic windshield defogger with humidity sensor, rain-sensing wipers, power rear sunshade, automatic electronic parking brake, and push button starting offer top-flight luxury.
Electronics abound. Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, USB/iPod inputs, back-up camera, and in-dash navigation provide plenty of toys with which drivers can entertain themselves. Rolls Royce and Hyundai are the only two automakers to offer Lexicon-branded audio, featuring LOGIC 7® technology for an incredible surround sound experience. Hyundai's system produces 500 watts in 7.1 discrete audio. XM Satellite Radio is standard. Like the Lexus LS460, Genesis is available with forward-looking Smart Cruise Control that automatically keeps a safe distance from vehicles in front.
Genesis is billed as the sub-$30,000 sedan that competes with $60,000 luxury cars. Sounds a lot like the original Lexus proposition, doesn't it? If Genesis turns out to be half the car Lexus did, Hyundai is going to tear up the lower end of the luxury car market. On paper, it is quite impressive. We'll have to look forward to our first drive to know for sure, but knowing Hyundai of late, we won't be disappointed. Here, the luxury car game changes—big time—when the Genesis goes on sale this summer.
This article is courtesy of www.car-data.com .
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