2012 Hyundai Genesis with 5.0L V8 Coming to Chi-Town

The Hyundai Genesis, the car that kicked off the transformation of Hyundai, will finally receive an update for the 2012 model year. Hyundai CEO John Krafcik told The Detroit News that Hyundai will show a new top-end version of the 2012 Genesis at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday.

He said that the new refreshed 2012 Genesis will be more powerful than the previous version and will be powered by an all-new 5.0-liter V8 unit producing 429 horsepower and 379 lb.ft of torque. Krafcik said that Hyundai is committed to boosting fuel-economy but is also focused on making fast cars.

“We like to have our cake and eat it too,” he said. “We want to lead the industry in fuel economy. … At the same time, we’re launching 429-horsepower V8 engine cars that get amazing fuel economy.”

We expect Hyundai's new 8-speed automatic transmission to debut with the 5.0-liter V8, but such details will be confirmed at the show soon. The 2012 Genesis will also have minor styling changes to help keep the car competitive. Sales of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis will begin in late March with prices coming in between $45,000 and $50,000.

[Source: The Detroit News]

2012 Hyundai Genesis Facelift: New Spy Shots!

Today we bring you the latest spy shots of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, caught alongside several Hyundai test mules in South Korea today. The refreshed Genesis is bringing a myriad of design revisions, as well as equipment changes and powertrain improvements for the 2012 model year (rumored for now). Look for the facelifted Genesis to be unveiled next year.

P.S. Would you look at the size of those front disc brakes in that thing!

Check out our past articles (with more images) of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis below:

2012 Hyundai Genesis Facelift Spied Again

EXCLUSIVE: Refreshed 2011 Hyundai Genesis Undisguised

READ MORE for more spy shots of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis!

2012 Hyundai Genesis Facelift Spied Again

New spy shots of the refreshed 2012 Hyundai Genesis have been sent to us by our South Korean readers today. Comparing these recent shots to those we posted last month, we can tell that Hyundai has since added a new set of taillights, new alloy wheels, as well as a new steering wheel.

For more information on the Genesis facelift, check out the link below. CLICK HERE

EXCLUSIVE: Refreshed 2011 Hyundai Genesis Undisguised

UPDATE: The Hyundai Genesis is scheduled for a major facelift for the 2012 model year, not the 2011 model year. -Ed.

Today we are the first to bring you exclusive images of the eagerly anticipated facelifted 2011 Hyundai Genesis, courtesy of Kevin who snapped these pictures in South Korea. It is remarkable to note that the Genesis has been on sale for merely 2 calendar years(summer 2008 release as MY2009), and from these images alone it is evident that Hyundai has several changes in store for the 2011 model year.

First and foremost, the exterior of the refreshed Genesis has received subtle modifications. Hyundai has added a new front bumper (with new lower air intakes), new LED headlamps, sportier front/side/rear skirts, rear chrome trim, and a refreshed rear fascia with integrated dual exhausts that resemble those of the Lexus LS.

Inside the new Genesis, no major changes are visible save for a new BMW-esque shift knob that likely operates the new 8-speed automatic transmission that has been announced to debut in the facelifted Genesis.

Also for the 2011 model year, there are reports of Hyundai fitting the new Genesis with its new 5.0L V8 that is touted to produce 429 horsepower. The new powertrain is also scheduled to debut under the hood of the upcoming Hyundai Equus. It is also likely that Hyundai will add new GDI (gasoline direct injection) engines to the line-up.

Continue reading to view more spy shots!

NOTE: Please link back to this article if you wish to post this on another website. Thanks. -Ed

Hyundai Equus, Genesis To Get 429-HP 5.0L Tau V8

Hyundai has just announced that after the market launch of its new flagship Equus luxury sedan, it will offer an engine option above the planned 4.6L Tau V8. The optional engine will be a new 5.0L Tau V8, making 429-hp. That same engine will then also find its way into the Genesis luxury sedan.

With a power increase of around 45-hp with the larger engine, torque will also jump from 333 ft-lbs to 376. And aiding in both power deliver and fuel consumption is a new 8-speed automatic – although it’s not yet clear if the Genesis will also get the 8-speed box.

The move is designed to keep Hyundai’s flagship competitive with the new twin-turbo motors from BMW and Mercedes, but as most buyers won’t see the Equus as a rival to the established marques, we have to think this is more of a shot across the bow of Lexus, with the larger Genesis motor offering far more power than what Lexus equips its LS models with.

[Source: TheCarConnection]

2010 Hyundai Genesis Receives IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Sedan has recently been tested and awarded the ‘Top Safety Pick’ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This award is earned by all vehicles who manage to achieve the institute’s top rating of “Good” for front, side, rollover and rear crash protection. A vehicle cannot achieve the ‘Top Safety Pick’ if it hasn’t got Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard.

The South Korean car company earned the ‘Top Safety Pick’ with the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan as well, but this year the standards were raised even higher and a roof strength test was added to the procedures.

The new guidelines require the roof to withstand more than two times the strength of current federal requirements in order to properly maintain the vehicle’s integrity in a rollover accident. And Hyundai made the adjustments to the Genesis roof structure to improve protection.

"Genesis was designed to be one of the safest vehicles on the road and includes features such as ESC and Hyundai's first electronic active front head restraint system, which helps prevent whiplash," said Derek Joyce, manager of product planning, Hyundai Motor America.

[Source: Hyundai]

REPORT: Hyundai to Separate Genesis and Equus in Showrooms

Rather than spin off the new premium Hyundai products into their own brand, necessitating the creation of new dealerships and huge marketing budgets, the Korean automaker is opting for the “showroom-within-a-showroom” approach. According to documents obtained by Ward’s, Hyundai Motor America (HMA) is looking to make the move soon, creating a luxury area within current dealerships where staff will display and sell new models like the Genesis Sedan and Genesis Coupe as well as the upcoming Equus flagship luxury sedan.

Instead of costing dealerships millions of dollars, the new displays are only likely to run in the hundreds of thousands. This setup is quite different from what Japanese automakers like Toyota did when it launched the Lexus brand, opting instead to set up entirely separate dealerships.

“Similar to the attributes of Toyota-Scion buildings, this strategy will create physical and psychological separation in the Hyundai showroom environment,” writes HMA VP of national sales Dave Zuchowski in his memo.

Cars like the Genesis Coupe, in its higher end trim, compete with models like the Infiniti G37 and BMW 335i Coupe, while the Genesis Sedan stacks up against vehicles like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS. The new Equus, however, is aimed at top-tier models like the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. It is expected to cost slightly less than an LS and will go on sale this Fall.

Hyundai sees the Equus as another, but important, step on the road to becoming a legitimate luxury retailer. “We intend to use the launch of the new Equus to develop and further establish Hyundai as a legitimate force in the premium-luxury segments,” says Zuchowski.

[Source: Ward's]

Hyundai Genesis Receives Custom Paint Job: SEMA 2009

PRESS RELEASE: GENESIS SEDAN TO RECEIVE CUSTOM PAINT GRAPHIC LIVE AT SEMA

Street Concepts and Designer Courtney Mason Bring an Artistic Display to the Show Floor

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 10/28/2009 - Hyundai Motor America and Street Concepts, one of the leading developers of auto show vehicles, bring custom vehicle design live to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show with a paint demonstration on a Genesis sedan. Detroit-based illustrator and graphic designer Courtney Mason will paint a one-of-a-kind graphic on a Pearl White Street Concepts Genesis sedan in Hyundai’s display at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3–6, 2009 (booth #24387). This marks the eighth consecutive year Hyundai has partnered with Street Concepts.

Using special paint pens, Mason will place her signature stamp on a “blank canvas” Genesis sedan. Mason’s illustrations are typically figurative and inspired by organic forms found throughout nature. As the co-founder of Studio Jellyfish (http://www.studiojellyfish.com), Mason has worked with clients such as Nokia, Motorola, Sony BMG, VH1 and Rockstar Games.

In addition to the graphic, the Street Concepts Genesis exterior will be outfitted with 3M carbon fiber roof panels, black chrome accents by Chrome Tech, and upper and lower spoilers from RKSport. The vehicle will boast upper and lower E&G front mesh grilles also finished in black chrome by Chrome Tech. Interior features include custom suede and piano black detailing as well as carbon fiber dash accents.

[Source: Hyundai Motor America]

Continue reading for the complete press release.

“The Genesis sedan serves as the perfect platform for a one-of-a-kind high-performance vehicle at SEMA,” said Shawn Williams, owner, Street Concepts. “We were able to capitalize on what the Genesis already has to offer – smooth lines, luxurious interior features and a world-class Tau V8 engine – to create a customized vehicle sure to inspire the tuner crowd.”

The custom Genesis will showcase Nutek Series 530 22-inch wheels featuring Chrome Tech black chrome wheel centers with black lips and General Exclaim UHP tires. Eibach lowering springs, Brembo brakes and a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust will further enhance the performance of the standard 4.6-liter V8 engine, improving on the impressive 375 horsepower pumped out by the factory engine.

Audio and video enhancements will include a custom Harman International audio system, Nav-TV interface and Vizualogic headrest monitors.

“Matching the sophisticated design of the Genesis sedan with the artistic ability of Courtney Mason and the show-car experience of Shawn Williams created a ‘dream team’ for SEMA,” said Michael Deitz, manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Inspired by the creative minds involved in the project, we decided to showcase the final design of the vehicle live on the showroom floor to involve the SEMA crowd in the experience.”

STREET CONCEPTS

Street Concepts was formed in June 1998 to build award-winning show vehicles for the corporate world. Street Concepts has built numerous top quality show vehicles for an array of manufacturers including Kenwood USA, Oakley, Toyo Tires, MHT Wheels, Mazda Design and several local radio stations. Street Concepts vehicles have graced the pages of magazines such as Truckin’, Street Trucks, Today’s SUV, Lowrider, Lowrider Euro, Import Tuner, Car Audio, Hot Rod and Motor Trend.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

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 790 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. In addition, Hyundai Assurance is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.