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Hyundai Reveals Concept Genesis Ahead Of NY Debut
Written By: Chris Paukert
Hyundai has just let loose with some advanced images and details of its big New York debut, the Concept Genesis.
A near-production rear-drive large sedan concept, the Genesis looks to extend the brand’s upward trajectory to an even higher pricepoint. Powered by the company’s new Tau 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8, the company promises that when a production version of the Genesis hits in 2008, it will start at “well under $30,000.”
Hyundai says the CG has a 53:47 weight distribution, and is 12-to-14 percent stiffer in torsional rigidity than a BMW 5-series or Mercedes-Benz E-class, all while being lower in weight. Mounted to it is a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox, complete with manual shifting inputs. So-equipped, Hyundai says the 300+ horsepower V-8 Genesis will run to 60 miles-per-hour in “well under” six seconds.
(Click through to the jump for more images and Hyundai’s official press release)
HYUNDAI TO UNVEIL CONCEPT GENESIS PREMIUM SPORTS SEDAN
Rear-Wheel Drive and V-8 Engine Promise World Class Dynamics and Refinement
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., March 26, 2007 / PRNewswire / – Hyundai will present the world debut of Concept Genesis during a press conference at the New York International Auto Show on April 4. 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 • Navigation with backup camera
• Electronic Stability Control • Electric parking brake
• Eight airbags • Bluetooth technology
• Heat / cool seats • USB / Auxiliary input jack
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with adaptive leveling • HD Radio™ Receiver
• Push-button start • XM Satellite Radio®
• Infinity® Discrete Surround Audio System
GENESIS PREMIUM SPORTS SEDAN SPECIFICATIONS
• Configuration: FR Engine RWD Sport Sedan • Top speed: 130 mph (restricted)
• Wheelbase: 2935 mm / 115.6 inches • Recommended fuel: Unleaded
• Overall length: 5005 mm / 197.0 inches • Transmission type: ZF 6-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC manual control
• Overall width: 1863 mm / 73.3 inches • Suspension: Front multi-link (5-link) / Rear
multi-link (5-link)
• Overall height: 1490 mm / 58.7 inches • Stabilizer bar (front/rear): 26 mm/18 mm
• Track, f/r: 1575 mm / 62.0 inches, 1580 mm / 62.2 inches • Weight distribution front to rear: 53:47
• Wheels: 20-inch multi-spoke • Brakes: Power-assisted 4-wheel disc
• Engine type: V8 • Front brake diameter (mm / in): 320 / 12.6 ventilated disc
• Estimated horsepower: Well over 300HP • Rear brake diameter (mm / in): 314 / 12.4 solid disc
• Estimated torque: Over 300 lb. ft • Steering type: Speed-sensing rack-and-pinion
• Displacement: 4,627 cc • Steering ratio: 14.86
• 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
• Bore & stroke: 92 x 87
• Estimated 0-60 mph: well under 6.0 seconds
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.
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23 Comments
Steven J Ewing March 26th, 2007 10:19 AM Link
Looks like it could be a next-gen Camry.
Good work, Hyundai.
Reilly Brennan March 26th, 2007 10:24 AM Link
Yes, but it’s a RWD Camry. That’s going to be huge for their brand image.
jacksprat March 26th, 2007 10:43 AM Link
Brennan, you love these wheezers, I know, but all this is is an admittedly very good poor man’s version of a BMW 5 Series in every single column of the check-sheet. I would love to see the design orders from the central commissariat stating clearly “to create a BMW 5 Series for a world yearning for lower quality and nearly passion-free driving”. I refuse to accept that they’re doing a great job at anything. They’re doing their job is all. This is good and I like them, too, but settle down before you get adverb happy.
Reilly Brennan March 26th, 2007 11:46 AM Link
Sprat,
Exactly zero Hyundai products have disappointed me this year. I can’t say the same thing about BMW.
I don’t need a BMW to find passion in a car, but I agree with you that Hyundais do not inspire most people. It takes time and hard work to build credibility. That’s what they’re doing here.
John March 26th, 2007 12:13 PM Link
“Hyundais do not inspire most people.”
I agree, but to date Hyundai has produced me too styled cars, but the me too styling lacks the underhood and interior substance to make it stand out in the market.
While this is a me too, at least they used BMW as the benchmark.
I have never liked the new BMW rear end styling. I do like the more subdued styling of this Hyundai.
John March 26th, 2007 12:37 PM Link
Having owned a couple of BMW’s and Audis, and spent countless $’s on the BMW’s for repairs, and then spending lots of working time on the Audis, I think I will take this car and its, more than likely, 100K warranty.
Val March 26th, 2007 1:10 PM Link
Hm, when cadillac says it will go BMW hunting with its new CTS, everybody is like “yeah, thats the spirit, take the crown from the 3 series and bring it home!” and thats ok with everybody. But when hyndai actually MAKES a car that is stiffer than a 5-series, people say that its a cheap rip-off… Does it have something to do with the fact that this car is not a gm or ford? Probably. When the reference point is BMW, this bodes well for high quality pursued. It wont actually be competing with the 5 series or A6 i think, and eating off their sales, rather it will compete with other 30k cars, and in this i suppose it will be pretty successful.
Sammy B March 26th, 2007 1:28 PM Link
I see this being a bigger problem for Lexus (GS300) and the Acura TL than the 5 series. But I won’t feel terrible if they prove me wrong.
If they can keep it under $35K, they’ll sell a bunch.
I wonder if they’ll take the Infinit route and produce a coupe as well. _That_ would a lot for their brand image IMO.
Jeff March 26th, 2007 1:33 PM Link
A V8 RWD Hyundai. That should scare a few car companies. I look forward to the inevitable comparison tests.
Kal March 26th, 2007 3:10 PM Link
Alright, who told Hydundai they could start making attractive products?
mo March 26th, 2007 3:22 PM Link
producing this car with such a price will mostly hurt some manufacturers (not necessarily BMW only). Although the design is taken from other designs, front resembles a camry, rear BMW, and so on, the overall look of the car is great. Having a V8 for the first time is kinda questionable …. Would it perform like america’s famous V8’s. can’t do a thing except waiting. FOR jacksprat, hyundai’s are becoming a threat for many jap’s manufacturers. This is because both have the same design and ideas but with a huge difference in the price tag. You may say that hyundai’s come with less quality, but many can live with it while having a big smile because they saved money, big time.
The Stig March 26th, 2007 3:37 PM Link
For being a laughing stock not too many years ago, they certainly have come a long way. They may not be the most exciting, passionate automobiles in the world, but they do more than reasonably expected for 80-90% of the driving population. Heck, just on specs alone I would give this thing a test drive just to see how it compares.
Andy March 26th, 2007 3:49 PM Link
People always make stupid comparisons on message boards. (The Callaway C16 looking like a late-year Camaro being one.) In this case, the Hyundai does look like a Camry–a lot. Maybe Hyundai can do more with the Genesis than Toyota did with its best-selling sedan. For under $30K? That’d be a steal.
Pete Martine March 26th, 2007 10:44 PM Link
Stunning. Beautiful. Never thought I would say that about a Hyundai. Just hope it comes here. And we’ll pay 70000 dollars for it but it will still be half the price of the competition. You guys are so lucky getting cars for the prices you do. 30000 Dollars in the UK would just about buy an Elantra. God Bless America!!!!!
ASH March 27th, 2007 7:41 AM Link
GOOD WORK, LOVE THE LOOKS. BY THE TIME IT HITS THE SHELVES THE SONATA WILL BE TRADED.
Kevin March 28th, 2007 12:57 PM Link
Beautiful car. It will do alot for Hyundai. I see 3 different cars in this picture. It’s a cross between a 5-series, The Imperial, and a Lucerne. Not a bad combo…
dan lenox April 2nd, 2007 4:38 PM Link
Hey! I started using the name Genesis publicly first for my 3-wheeler that I have been building!
» Hyundai Reveals Concept Genesis Ahead Of NY Debut - Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 April 3rd, 2007 2:35 AM Link
[…] source: windingroad.com […]
bernard n.edwards April 3rd, 2007 2:42 PM Link
hello,i just wanted to express my excitement about the new hyundai.we are on our 4th hyundai,and started with a 1999 elantra,also had two sante fe’s a 2004 and a 2005,and currently the proud owners of a 2006 hyundai AZERA limited and a sonata limited and i have to say hyundai never fails to keep producing such high quality,dependable,beautiful cars and we are looking forward to buying the new yet to be named car, but hyundai did ask us as to the new name of the new code name bh,and we had about seven names to choose from.how many car makers ask their customers what they should name one of their new cars.we love our two cars and would highley recommend a hyundai…..sincerly…bernard n.edwards canal winchester,ohio.43110……..HYUNDAI RULES IN OUR HOUSE
Michael April 4th, 2007 8:56 PM Link
More content than a Camry , less expensive than a Lexus and way better looking then either. A home run imho.
bill August 8th, 2007 6:02 PM Link
I think Hyundai should set up some of their dealers as an upscale div like lexus.It would mean little more up scale waiting area and a separate service desk. I have had 5 Lexus cars and when I bought my first LS400 my friends said “You mean you paid $40,000 for a Toyota!!!!
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