Well, we should have seen this coming. After following the pattern Toyota set forth over 25 years ago with the Lexus line, Hyundai has spun its Genesis sedans off as a separate brand. Heralding the debut of this new premium brand is the G90. The G90 is effectively the replacement for the value-priced but ambiguously styled Equus executive sedan. Where the Equus styling was contrived and cluttered, the G90 is stately and sports what Genesis calls ‘athletic elegance’. The G90 will be accompanied by the current Hyundai Genesis sedan which will be rebranded as the Genesis G80. Genesis will then add a G70 sport sedan and an ‘N’ performance trim to various models in its lineup. No word beyond the initial three sedans but we would be surprised if Genesis doesn’t branch out into other vehicle segments. No word on G90 pricing but we would expect it to be in line with the Equus which starts around $61,000. Propulsion is provided by means of a 3.3L twin turbocharged V6 or a Hyundai’s 5.0L V8. Expect a suite of safety technology such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, smart cruise control, stop/start, blind spot detection, and lane keep assist. We look forward to seeing how Hyundai’s new brand develops.
The Hyundai Genesis did a lot to polish Hyundai’s image in the US and even earned the 2009 North American Car of the Year award so the followup needs to be good and Hyundai rolled out its best effort today at the North American International Auto Show. The V6 and V8 engines and 8-speed automatic carry over, but all-wheel drive becomes an option on both trims and the chassis has been comprehensively upgraded to improve rigidity. The infotainment and telematics systems are also updated to the best Hyundai has to offer. Heads up display is now on board and the luxury list is topped by a 900-watt 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. The new Hyundai style features a very bold front grille but it’s not anything larger than Audi uses so we know we will get used to it. In the meantime check out our quick video overview for some 360 degree coverage.
Hyundai executives appeared to have much to celebrate about this year. Having ended 2011 with double digit sales increases as well as numerous industry recognitions and awards, Hyundai started 2012 by receiving the North American Car of the Year Award for its Elantra. Their Detroit introductions included two updates to their existing sporty cars, the Veloster and Genesis coupes. The big news for Veloster is a new 201 hp turbocharged 1.6L four cylinder. This new powertrain achieves 38 mpg on the highway partly due to the Veloster’s low power to weight ratio of 14 lbs/hp. The specific output of that 1.6L is an impressively high 125.6 hp/liter. On the outside the performance oriented coupe benefits from a unique grille treatment and can now be ordered with matte finish paint. Read more…
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe shown here at the 2009 NAIAS is a good start, but as Exec Dye pointed out in his review, it is going to need a little more honing to really be called a sports car. We look for more automotive goodness to roll out of the oft-forgotten Korean automaker in the years to come!
Hyundai Turns Its Attention From Luxury To Sport With The Genesis Coupe
Watching Hyundai’s meteoric rise from “That Korean Car Company” to “That Global Powerhouse” has been exciting for everyone—at least everyone not employed by another automaker’s sales and marketing department. We recently watched the hard charging company lead a successful foray into the heady waters of the luxury car segment with their Genesis sedan. Now hot on the heels of the positive buzz they earned from meeting that challenge comes a Genesis of another sort. Read more…
