does a hyundai belong here??

[thesvtautox]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/new-york-auto-show-hyundai-starts-over-with-the-genesis/#comments

Hyundai wants you to forget what you know about its design chops (or, um, the lack thereof), recalibrate your expectations to something on par with the German or Japanese, and lay your eyes on the Genesis.

Sure, there aren't many original lines on the car, but it neatly avoids the awkwardness of previous Hyundai design efforts and appears to be a credible threat in the mid-size luxury sedan market. The Genesis rides on a new RWD platform that is said to offer a lighter body-in-white weight than the 5-series or E-class while providing more torsional rigidity. Our camera also caught some aluminum goodies in the suspension (namely, the lower rear control arms and rear uprights) as further evidence of the Korean manufacturer's attempt to play with the big boys.

A laundry list of features makes it sound like someone has the Lexus LS squarely in the crosshairs, but there's little actual evidence of technology such as HD radio and active cruise control on the concept. In fact, the blacked-out windows provided not a glimpse of the interior, and it's there that Hyundai's battle in the luxury market will likely be won or lost. Stay tuned, for this should be an interesting fight.

There's the press release after the jump, tons of live shots are in the gallery - and of course there's the rest of our New York Auto Show coverage.

Gallery: Hyundai Concept Genesis




PRESS RELEASE:

HYUNDAI UNVEILS CONCEPT GENESIS PREMIUM SPORTS SEDAN

Rear-Wheel Drive and V-8 Engine Promise World Class Dynamics and Refinement

NEW YORK, March 4, 2007 ? Hyundai presented the world debut of Concept Genesis during a press conference at the New York International Auto Show today. The concept car heralds the future architecture and design of a rear-wheel drive premium sports sedan scheduled to grace the Hyundai lineup in 2008.

"Concept Genesis extends our product range into new territories from a performance, design and packaging perspective," said Steve Wilhite, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America. "When it arrives in 2008 it will catapult Hyundai into competition against some potent rivals, and Genesis is up for the challenge."

Concept Genesis rides on a prototype of Hyundai's all-new rear-wheel drive platform, signaling the brand's desire to broaden its appeal to discerning driving enthusiasts. Concept Genesis is powered by Hyundai's newly developed Tau DOHC 32-valve V-8 powertrain. Concept Genesis marks the beginning of premium performance for the Hyundai brand.

"Concept Genesis is a manifestation of Hyundai's extraordinary desire to deliver world-class products across all model segments," said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "With Genesis, we've got a unique product position -- an all-new, highly capable, rear-wheel drive platform; a high-performance powertrain; and premium, progressive design ? all at a price starting well under $30,000."

NEW REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE IS A FIRST FOR THE U.S.
Concept Genesis features a rear-wheel-drive architecture, its first application in a U.S. Hyundai model. Rear-wheel drive provides a 53:47 front/rear weight distribution for optimal handling as well as more refined steering characteristics. Concept Genesis' premium handling and steering performance is further controlled by Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the industry's most important new safety technology. Hyundai leads all popular car brands in the standard application of ESC, with more than 70 percent of 2007 Hyundai sales volume featuring this life-saving technology as standard equipment.

ESC continually analyzes road speed, steering input, throttle position, lateral yaw rate and other factors. An onboard microprocessor determines if the vehicle is starting to understeer or oversteer, and can brake appropriate wheels and reduce engine power to keep the vehicle safely on course.

Utilizing ultra high-tensile steel in critical areas in the unibody provides Concept Genesis with a 12-14 percent higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body-in-white weight than the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This stiffer, lighter, larger body provides a terrific foundation for world-class dynamics and lowering noise levels inside the vehicle.

TAU V-8 POWERTRAIN
Adding to the Concept Genesis' performance factor is the all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC? manual control and a limited-slip differential. The Tau delivers well over 300 horsepower to fit the demands of performance-oriented consumers. This powertrain combination will launch Genesis to 60 miles per hour in well under six seconds. The Tau engine is built with flexibility for the future. Future Tau variants may offer larger displacement, forced induction options and other technology enhancements.

INNOVATIVE AND SOPHISTICATED SPORT-TUNED SUSPENSION
Genesis features a suspension design that is among the most sophisticated and refined anywhere, at any price. The front five-link suspension features upper and lower arms linking the front wheels to the chassis. This artfully articulated arrangement creates a virtual king pin axis which dramatically reduces unwanted kickback through the steering wheel as well as improving responsiveness. The five-link independent rear suspension is equally sophisticated, enabling precise suspension geometry for an incredible level of ride and handling prowess. The capabilities of the advanced front and rear-suspension are maximized through driver selectable dynamic settings allowing tailored ride and handling characteristics according to need ... or desire.

MODERN DESIGN
Genesis' design is a progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drive sports sedan. To match its dynamic powertrain capabilities, Genesis combines strong, sculpted forms which integrate precise details, natural materials and innovative lighting to provide a well-crafted, premium design aesthetic.


SAFETY FEATURES
Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Concept Genesis boasts world class active and passive safety features to both prevent accidents, and maximize the well being of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving active safety technology such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control, eight airbags and active headrests.

Concept Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The 12.6-inch front rotors have single-piston floating calipers and the rear brakes feature 12.4-inch rotors with single-pistons.

TECHNOLOGY
Advanced adaptive cruise control
Electronic Stability Control
Eight airbags
Heat / cool seats
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with adaptive leveling
Push-button start
Navigation with backup camera
Electric parking brake
Bluetooth technology
USB / Auxiliary input jack
HD Radio? Receiver
XM Satellite Radio?
Infinity? Discrete Surround Audio System

GENESIS PREMIUM SPORTS SEDAN SPECIFICATIONS
Configuration: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports sedan
Wheelbase: 2935 mm / 115.6 inches
Overall length: 5005 mm / 197.0 inches
Overall width: 1863 mm / 73.3 inches
Overall height: 1490 mm / 58.7 inches
Track, f/r: 1575 mm / 62.0 inches, 1580 mm / 62.2 inches
Wheels: 20-inch multi-spoke
Engine type: V8
Estimated horsepower: Well over 300HP
Estimated torque: Over 300 lb. ft.
Displacement: 4.6 liter
Block material: High pressure die casting aluminum block
Cylinder head material: Aluminum
Valvetrain: Dual Over Head Cam (DOHC)
Valve timing: Continuous variable valve timing
Variable induction system
Fuel delivery: Multi-port fuel injection
Estimated 0-60 mph: well under 6.0 seconds
Top speed: 130 mph (restricted)
Recommended fuel: Unleaded
Transmission type: ZF 6-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC manual control
Suspension: Front multi-link (5-link) / Rear multi-link (5-link)
Stabilizer bar (front/rear): 26 mm/18 mm
Weight distribution front to rear: 53:47
Brakes: Power-assisted 4-wheel disc
Front brake diameter (mm / in): 320 / 12.6 ventilated disc
Rear brake diameter (mm / in): 314 / 12.4 solid disc
Steering type: Speed-sensing rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio: 14.86

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.

[ifcar]

With the reasonable price, it is more likely to end up being compared to the Avalon and Lucerne than to luxury cars. But if they make it good enough, they'll win sales from someone, even if it isn't Mercedes-Benz. Maybe MB CPO.

[mazda6er]

Damn. To hell with Infiniti world takeover. Hyundai 2010! 

[ro51092]

Hell, if Toyota hit it big in that segment, why the hell couldn't Hyundai?

[Raza]

Damn. To hell with Infiniti world takeover. Hyundai 2010! 

You think so?  I doubt it.  I think the Infiniti World Takeover will occur as expected, but it will be a short reign.  Hyundai World Takeover 2011!!!!!!!!!!!

[Payman]

Very nice. It would be difficult to buy one over a G8, though.

[Raghavan]

Holy Crap!
It doesn't say anything about a manual thought so i'd rather take a G8 over one, but it looks awesome!
And if Hyundai can develop a V8, why the hell can't Honda make a RWD V8 RL???

[565]

Haha Hyundai beat Honda to it (rwd, V8 luxury sedan).

[Raghavan]

Honda needs a V8, RWD car chassis and a real truck too.
Stupit Honda. They make good cars but are plagued by bad decisions.

[Atomic]

Holy Crap!
It doesn't say anything about a manual thought so i'd rather take a G8 over one, but it looks awesome!
And if Hyundai can develop a V8, why the hell can't Honda make a RWD V8 RL???

why? honda is doing just fine. thank you.

[Raghavan]

why? honda is doing just fine. thank you.

Yeah, they're doing fine ,but is that ever enough? The truck market is huge and they have a dinky Ridgeline in it.
And they need a V8.

[Payman]

why? honda is doing just fine. thank you.

Acura needs a car like this.

[TurboDan]

Yeah, they're doing fine ,but is that ever enough? The truck market is huge and they have a dinky Ridgeline in it.
And they need a V8.

Dinky?  My uncle has one and it's huge.

[Raghavan]

Dinky? My uncle has one and it's huge.

Yeah, but it's weak compared to other real trucks.

[SVT_Power]

looks very lexus like in the front

[TheIntrepid]

Anyone? Anyone?

[Raghavan]

No, not really, the Hyundai looks a billion times better.
It looks very Infiniti-ish to me from the side profile.

[TheIntrepid]

I'm just talking about the grille/headlights. Front fascia, if you will.

[cawimmer430]

That Hyundai luxury car has BMW 7-Series styling cues on the side, especially the door. They even ripped the infamous Hoffmeister kink from BMW (just like Lexus has been doing for ages). 

[omicron]

Anyone? Anyone?

The Hyundai looks nice; that Camry looks like dysentery.

[thesvtautox]

so hyundai has beat toyota at their own game...  copy and improve upon it

[HurricaneSteve]

so hyundai has beat toyota at their own game...  copy and improve upon it

So why is it when American or German car companies take designs from other manufacturers, they're "using design cues" or "are inspired". When an Asian company does it, they "rip" or "copy".

[TheIntrepid]

So why is it when American or German car companies take designs from other manufacturers, they're "using design cues" or "are inspired". When an Asian Korean company does it, they "rip" or "copy".

Because Korean car companies are shit, and they make shit cars.

[Raza]

Because Korean car companies are shit, and they make shit cars.

Are you an idiot, or are you being sarcastic? 

[ifcar]

Are you an idiot, or are you being sarcastic?

Did you miss his other 10,604 posts?

[Raza]

Did you miss his other 10,604 posts?

Yeah, but I've seen him try to be funny, and he always misses the mark.

[Minpin]

I like it! Props to Hyundai for this car. Let's see how it drives though before we jump to conclusions about it toppling the segment. 

[TheIntrepid]

Are you an idiot, or are you being sarcastic? 

I was being sarcastic.

[Raza]

I was being sarcastic.

This is why I asked.  I didn't want to just assume you were a retard. 

[Minpin]

I was being sarcastic.

You can never tell that someone is being sarcastic when all they say is "Because Korean car companies are shit, and they make shit cars." You didn't add smiley's or anything to make it sound like you were joking.