As many of you guessed, I'm out here on the Southern tip of the Korean peninsula at the behest of the Mechanics who are quite Popular, getting the scoop on the new Hyundai [REDACTED]. While the driving impressions on the new [REDACTED] from the folks at Hyundai (Yes, Hyundai) are embargoed for a bit, there was other news out here from the little automaker that could in the Republic of Korea that is in no way embargoed. A couple of us auto journalistas had the chance to spend some in-car drive time with Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, President of R&D at the Kimchi Commander of an automaker. First news is that the Genesis and the Genesis Coupe won't be the only BH-platform vehicles produced on the Ulsan assembly lines. In addition to the two RWD-vehicles we've already seen, the boys n' girls at Hyundai are developing an extended-length version of the Genesis sedan — with the product platform designation of "VI" (which does not stand for "Very Immense") for the Korean domestic and Chinese markets.
This new Genesis that's bigger, longer and more uncut by 8" will replace the Equus JS 380 that's currently the car of choice for Hyundai execs. While the Equus is one big mutha-four-door, this new Genesis XL (or whatever) will out-lengthen the ol' and busted exec-mobile by an extra 2". And as we all know, size does matter — and apparently the U.S. market just isn't big enough to warrant those extra 8" of lengthened platform RWD executive hauling power. We'll live. In the meantime, we'll have more over the next four hours after we get a chance to snag dinner with Hyundai's Vice Chairman & CEO D.J. Kim. We hear he spins the records right-round. Also yes, after this post, we're assuming Hyundai probably won't be inviting me back.










Comments
Im guessing the [redacted] is one of the Genesis twins
So the car is called "Redacted?" Great name.
So Jalop doesn't mind that Ray's two-timing you with PM?
You will recall my previous predictions with regard to the Hyundai success at getting quality product out there. I will be interested to see what they have in store next.
Why not just call it the Genesis INXS?
@DoctorNine: Apparently they're going to have this in their stores next!
So....
if Genesis means "Beginning", then what is this the beginning of?
Perhaps Hyundai's new-found Camryism?!
@Gram's Caddy: after reviewing that badge, maybe it is the beginning of a morph to Aston Martin copies for 50k. they are copying their way up the food chain and doing pretty good with it.
Ray had a PM article on the front page of digg.com the other day... made me go 'hmm', and then forget about it and go back to jalop to see if any new stories had been posted.
Can we get a Sonata-sized 4-door variant of this RWD platform, please? If you really want to make Nissan/Infiniti nervous that is the way to go.
Why did I think "longer, harder, deeper" before I even saw the text under your logo.
I guess that is the amount of screwing you get if you purchase this Genesis Limo package over the tried and true panther based Town Car.
Ray, I think that "boys and girl at Hyundai" would be a more accurate description of the workforce there.
The ones you met at the noraebang aren't direct employees of Hyundai; they're contracted "help."
Hyundai: The Relentless Pursuit of Acceptance
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