Jalopnik
First we had the pretty drawings of Hyundai's new concept sedan, the Genesis, but now we've got the pictures. The concept Car-UV will be revealed for all to see next week at the New York Auto Show, but for now, the details we've got in hand come to us from the press release we've dropped in below the jump. The gist of it is that it appears the Genesis will be a rear-wheel drive car-platform powered by the newly developed Tau DOHC 32-valve V8 powertrain and we should expect to see it in some form as part of the Hyundai lineup in 2008. Oh, and expect a 0-60 time under six seconds.
Rear-Wheel Drive and V-8 Engine Promise World Class Dynamics and RefinementRelated:FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., March 26 /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(R) 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.
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.
Man, It's Been a Long Time Since the Excel Hatchback: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coming to New York [internal]
Comments
I'm patiently awaiting Hyundai to get a true performance car in their lineup. Shouldn't be long and will most likely be a steal. This new engine would be the perfect one to shoehorn into a two door rwd chassis. I am more impressed with Hyundai's ability to step beyond their distinction of suckitude with every new model that comes out. Watch out ToMoCo, Hyundai is in tha Hizzouse!
You guys beat me to the Phil Collins joke...damn
Will it feature 16-bit grafics and come with a copy of Sonic the Hedgehog?
@Miscellanea: They basically knocked off the G35/M45, at least on paper, so I don't think it would be too surprizing if their strategy included pulling a 350Z out of the platform. At least I hope it does.
This reminds me of the early 90s when Camry's and Accords looked like the same car. Honestly, the only thing seperated it from my dad's Camry is that indented line running down the centre, and that's the ugliest design element of the car.
Wierd, it's like a porn star; pretty, with all the right lines, looks great doing it's job, but you can tell it's got no passion.
@goodbaum: And rear wheel drive and better build quality.
I've always wanted to stuff a V8 under the hood of a Tiburon, and convert it to RWD, but something tells me I'd put more money in R&D than into the purchase price to begin with. But it'd be a cool little car.
This is a step in the right direction.
Its amazing to think that Hyundai is going to come out with a V8 before Honda. I know Honda says its because their focus is efficiency, but still...
Maybe it's because I just saw a Nissan Fuga on the streets of Dublin (a rare sighting of the Japanese version of the Infiniti M45 here in Infiniti-less Europe), but I think this looks like a tarted-up Infiniti rip-off.
What is it with Korean cars? Their idea of shaking off their household appliance attitude to car manufacturing is to shamelessly (and slavishly) copy not only European fashion (the Hyundai Coupe/Tiburon, the Kia Cee'd), but now also their friends across the Sea of Korea/Sea of Japan/East Sea/Oriental Sea/that bit of water between Japan and Korea.
So many ToMoCo styling cliches...can't...process...so...many... *head explodes*
It'll still be a Hyundai to me...
What happened to the Hyundai "Horse"?
It'll even hold Mike & The Mechanics...
no_slushbox says:
@goodbaum: And rear wheel drive and better build quality.
Maybe I am just a bigoted anti-Korean car guy, but I have a hard time believing they've caught up to one of the highest quality cars currently on the market.
Oh, and I'm happier with the hybrid power-train than with the option of rear-wheel drive. Rear wheel has it's place in the world, and that is in coupes that go real fast and make you feel like the shit. But this is a big old Sedan and I highly doubt that Hyundai is going to produce a sedan actually capable of proper sporting performance.
But back to the first point, can you back up your claim of build quality, especially on a car yet to be made? No? Than admit the fact that as it stands, this is a styling exercise in lack of style.
@wohho: You hang out with the wrong porn stars.
@goodbaum: Better build quality: http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/charts/2006...
The styling is unquestionably derivative, I think much more of Infiniti, Acura and BMW than of Toyota, but still derivative. My point is that if this car upholds Hyundai's recent high quality and performs even close to the rear wheel drive dynamics of a GS, M, E or 5 then a lot of people will not care if it looks like a Camry.
How is this a crossover/UV of any kind? Looks like a big sedan to me. Why does everything have to have "crossover" tacked onto it now?
Good catch squablow -- delete that crossover term. It doesn't belong.
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