The
Hyundai Genesis is a full-size, rear-wheel drive luxury 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 markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan,"
. The Genesis is currently not offered in Europe. A coupe version based on the BH platform was introduced at the 2008 New York International Auto Show and arrived at US dealerships in February, 2009 as a 2010 model.
Hyundai Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-koo calls the Genesis Hyundai's first entry into the European dominated luxury arena.
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.
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.
Hyundai targeted 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.
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.
.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.
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.
Car and Driver reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds,
while
Motor Trend reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds in their October 2008 issue.
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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.
Motor Trend reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds.
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.
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 and the Genesis sedan are the only automobiles to offer the Lexicon audio system.
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.
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.
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.
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
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