2009 Hyundai Genesis unveiled
Hyundai Motor Company officially unveils the all-new 2009 Genesis sedan!
The 2009 Genesis sedan is built on Hyundai’s all-new, performance-oriented rear-wheel-drive platform and is available with three different powertrain options, including 3.8L and 3.3L V6 engines and Hyundai’s brand-new 4.6L V8 Tau.
Hyundai’s 4.6L V8 Tau engine produces 368 horsepower and lead all its main rivals in specific output with impressive 80 horsepower per liter.
In addition to its stylish look and impressive performance characteristics, it also features advanced technology such as XM Satellite radio and Lexicon audio systems, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), Smart Cruise Control, as well as electronic active head restraints.
Although Hyundai expects the Genesis to compete for customers looking to purchase cars such as Pontiac G8 or Nissan Altima, Genesis’ engineering team benchmarked products such as Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-series and Infiniti M.
According to John Krafcik, vice president of Hyundai Motor America, Genesis sedan provides a potent combination of luxury, performance and value.
The model (2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan) ushers in a new era for Hyundai. Its all-new rear-wheel drive platform is expected to spawn additional products, including the RWD sports car, which will be based on a striking Genesis Coupe concept car shown at the L.A. auto show back in Nov. 2007.
Follow the jump and read the official Hyundai press release; detailed information on the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan…
The 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan is built on an all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture, its first application in a U.S. Hyundai model. Genesis boasts a near ideal 53/47 front-to-rear weight distribution for exceptional handling and more refined steering characteristics. The rear-wheel-drive layout allowed engineers to position the car’s front wheels farther forward delivering outstanding handling and steering performance.
Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the industry’s most important new safety technology, further enhances the vehicle’s driving confidence. Hyundai leads all popular car brands in the standard application of ESC, with more than 70 percent of 2007 Hyundai sales featuring ESC as standard equipment.
Genesis reduces interior noise levels and improves ride and handling with a stiffer, lighter body structure. The use of high tensile steel in critical areas in the unibody provides Genesis with 12-14 percent higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body structure weight than the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class – despite having a substantially larger cabin than either of those benchmarks. Hyundai Genesis has more interior volume than Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 7-Series.
2009 Hyundai Genesis V8 engine
Headlining the Genesis’ performance capabilities is Hyundai’s all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. The Tau V8 delivers an estimated 368 horsepower to fit the demands of performance-oriented consumers. Unlike many competitors and most premium sedans, it achieves this impressive power output using regular unleaded fuel – further demonstration of Hyundai’s commitment to value.
This powertrain combination will launch Genesis to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The Tau produces more horsepower and torque than the powerplants found in Lexus GS450, BMW 750i, Audi A8 and Infiniti M45 and has more horsepower per liter than any of its V8 competitors. The Tau engine is built with flexibility for the future. Future Tau variants may offer larger displacement, forced induction options and other technology enhancements.
2009 Hyundai Genesis V6
Genesis also delivers spirited performance through its two V6 options — all-aluminum 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engines that deliver an estimated 268 horsepower and 233 lb-ft. of torque and an estimated 290 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque, respectively.
To maximize the power spread, the engines utilize Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on intake and exhaust cam shafts and a new Variable Intake System (VIS) that helps cylinders breathe efficiently at low and high RPM. The better breathing results in outstanding off-the-line acceleration and passing performance, and remarkable fuel efficiency. The V6 engines use an alloy block and cylinder heads for lighter weight and thermal efficiency, and feature timing chains with no scheduled maintenance.
Even with their impressive output, all Genesis engines are also environmentally friendly, with all three achieving Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification levels.
2009 Hyundai Genesis transmission
Both Genesis V6 engines use an Aisin 6-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission that features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy.
The transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide spread of ratios that ideally suit both engine’s characteristics including a tall-overdrive sixth gear for quiet, efficient highway cruising. Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC® feature by moving the gear selector into a separate gate.
Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, adding to driver control. A clear LCD readout on the instrument panel shows the gear that’s in use.
The Tau V8 Genesis is mated with an enhanced, high-output ZF 6-speed transmission to handle the added horsepower and torque.
Hyundai Genesis suspension
Hyundai 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 that 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 a premium ride and engaging handling prowess. The capabilities of the advanced front and rear-suspension are maximized through Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) allowing tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements.
The new 2009 Genesis is the most advanced Hyundai ever. From its design and spaciousness to its technology and appointments, it delivers a wealth of features and performance befitting flagship European and Asian brands, but delivers them at a much more accessible price point.
Starting with its Lexicon state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7® technology, Genesis offers an extraordinary combination of technology, premium appointments, and value. Standard is a soft-touch instrument panel with woodgrain accents, Bluetooth® hands-free mobile phone interface, and USB/iPod® auxiliary inputs.
A state-of-the-art navigation system with an eight-inch display is available. The navigation unit is accessed by a user-friendly multi-media controller that also controls the radio. Backing out of tight spaces and avoiding mishaps is much easier with the available backup camera that uses the eight-inch display to show the driver a clear view immediately behind the car.
A leather-wrapped dash, door panels, and console lid surround the driver in a luxurious environment, while heated and cooled driver’s seat provides optimal driving comfort. An automatic windshield defogger with humidity sensor and rain-sensing wipers allow crystal clear sight lines.
No other sedan in the same segment offers an ultraviolet reflective leather steering wheel, which keeps the surface cool to the touch, even in scorching sunlight. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis also offers the conveniences of power rear sunshade, automatic electronic parking brake, proximity key and push button starter.
Rolls Royce Phantom and the 2009 Hyundai Genesis are the only automobiles to offer a Lexicon-branded state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7® technology. The Lexicon® surround sound audio system includes a 12-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing more than 500 watts of sound in 7.1 discrete audio.
Genesis is also the first popular brand to offer the clarity of digital HD Radio technology from the factory. Navigation-equipped Genesis models also include a 30-gigabyte hard drive and XM NavTraffic. Like every 2009 Hyundai, Genesis comes standard with XM Satellite Radio. Auxiliary USB and iPod® inputs allow drivers to fully control and charge iPods directly from the head unit.
Hyundai’s lightning technology
The 2009 Genesis offers Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The advantages of HID headlamps include greater lighting power, daylight-type lighting and reduced power consumption.
In addition, the cut lines of the new HID headlights are extremely precise, providing maximum nighttime visibility without distracting other drivers. The lamps also feature an auto-leveling function which keeps the headlights level regardless of how the vehicle is loaded with passengers or cargo.
Hyundai Genesis also offers an Automatic Front Lighting System that allows the headlamps to automatically swivel for better visibility when cornering.
Hyundai’s safety technology
Maintaining Hyundai’s emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help 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 safety technology such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.
Genesis’ total of eight airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.
An electronic active head restraint system will debut on the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer electronic active front head restraints, an improvement over mechanically based active head restraint systems.
Genesis also features a total of 8 ultrasonic sensors located on the front and rear bumpers. The sensors along with the rear backup camera help detect how close objects are when parking. Distance is indicated on the in-dash screen and accompanied by an audible warning tone.
Forward-looking radar is used in the 2009 Hyundai Genesis‘ Smart Cruise Control system. Smart Cruise Control adjusts vehicle speed to maintain distance from the vehicle ahead in the same lane.
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 on V6 models. Twin-pistons and larger rotors are featured on V8 models.
2009 Hyundai Genesis technology highlights:
Safety:
Eight airbags
Electronic Stability Control -ESC
Electronic active front head restraints
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
Adaptive Front Lighting System
Navigation with backup camera
Comfort:
Push-button start
Heated / cooled seats
iPod/USB auxiliary inputs
Electric parking brake
XM Satellite Radio with NavTraffic
Standard Bluetooth technology
Lexicon Surround Audio Systems
Rain-sensing wipers
Automatic windshield defogger with humidity sensor
These are just a few features from impressive list of standard equipment of the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis. If you need more information about this striking RWD sedan, feel free to browse through our Hyundai Blog to find other Gensis-sedan-related posts.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I really like the Genesis and I maybe in the market for one. When it arrives in the U.S. I hope that Hyundai brands it as a Genesis and leaves off the ‘Hyundai’ logo. This car should be cultivated as an upscale premium brand and I don’t think having the ‘H’ logo on this car will help move it up.
There is still brand bias out there against Hyundai, although I think that it is mainly due to misinformation and ignorance. However if Hyundai wants to shift brand perception even further it succeed more with this car if it is packaged as a Genesis.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Thank you for posting the press release. I have read this on some other sites but it is good to read through it again. I must say that after reading the specs on Genesis once again, it makes even more sense to me that this vehicle is packaged as Genesis.
I’m not implying that Hyundai should not advertise this car without saying it’s from Hyundai, it’s just that if most people are driving a premium car they don’t want it to say ‘Ford’ for example, they want it to say Lexus, Cadillac, BMW.
Personally, I like this car and believe it will be a hit but I also know that people are brand sensitive. Brand this a Genesis and it will make all the difference and help shift the demographic paradigm for Hyundai even further up the ladder.
January 10th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
You’re welcome David!
Well, I don’t see any reason why Hyundai wouldn’t sell and advertise it under the Hyundai brand. I’m even angry and pissed why Hyundai excluded grille logo!!
WTF, aren’t they proud on tha they can offer such a great vehicle to consumers? Don’t they want to show this is a Hyundai? Well, this is strange to me!
It would be great if Hyundai released a luxury brand named Genesis, but this would cost them millions $. So, I suggest they keep it selling under Hyundai brand and for god’s sake, be proud of it and include Hyundai emblem on the grille!
January 11th, 2008 at 1:11 am
I agree that this car deserves a logo on the grill and I, for one believe that this car is way too important not to have the Genesis logo even if it is sold under the Hyundai umbrella while they prepare the groundwork to build their luxury brand.
This is the next inevitable evolution of a car brand. First you create a strong, reliable value brand then step to building a strong, prestigious name brand, like Genesis. Hyundai has invested several hundred million dollars of R&D to build this flagship so why not push this as a brand?
I feel very strongly about Hyundai doing this and besides when I’m in the market for an upmarket car I expect that the Genesis will be on my top 5 list!
January 13th, 2008 at 6:28 am
My take is that Hyundai did a fine job on the Genesis, their first real premium car. All the talk about ‘bland’ design this or that is simply based on premeditated bias.
No one expects a brand like ‘Hyundai’ to produce any luxury quality-like vehicles so the naysayers, as expected, will have a field day picking apart this car or any new car that this manufacturer produces because of the low brand perception value that persist about Hyundai regardless of the quality.
Notice I said perception because this is the uphill challenge that Hyundai has to overcome. The main issue that I see with this car is not the design, luxury appointments or pricing, but overcoming the ‘cheap’ moniker that the Hyundai brand has become synonymous with in the U.S.
I think this car makes a bold statement that says Hyundai is ready to compete at the next level but to be successful it has do so with the development of a new brand. Genesis is that brand. However, the success of Genesis is very dependent on how Hyundai strategically positions this car in the minds of its prospects.
It certainly raises the stakes for Hyundai as well because if it gains sales momentum, then many, including its critics, will refer to this vehicle as the ‘breakthrough’ vehicle that re-launched Hyundai back on the map but more importantly, allowed it to garner the cache of mainstream acceptability.
This is the main reason why Hyundai has committed to spending millions to re-introduce the brand to consumers through clever soft touch commercials which began in mid September, 2007, that touts the safety benefits of their vehicles rather than scream about how cheap their cars are.
It is clear that the message they are conveying to consumers is, “if you think you know Hyundai, think again.” One example where that message maybe having its desired effect was evidenced by this past December sales increase of their bread and butter car, the Sonata, which despite an all new design two years ago, had been experiencing softening sales, did much better than expected with sales of over 24,872 units compared to the same period in 2006 that saw just 10,149 units.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I love the looks of this car and would love to have one. However, living in New England winters can be pretty rough on rear drive cars. I wish they had offered an AWD option as it would come in handy getting through all the snow.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Why would creating a new brand cost millions of dollars? Registering a brand does not cost that much. Creating a brand with a new name and design logo, even college students can think and come up with it with no cost. Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda and Nissan all have their higher luxury brand. Hyundai should stick to the tried-and-tested method of other car company to successfuly market this product. I have a strong interest in buying this car because of the features, but if they market it under “Hyundai” brand, I will be less inclined to. Think why Phaeton of Volkswagen doesn’t sell so well. Majority of people who spends more than 30k in buying a car cares about identity, this is a fact. A “Hyundai” brand doesn’t give them a “feel good” identity, a new brand created under Hyundai should do the trick.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:56 am
i agree awd , and id be buying one
July 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
What a beatiful car! Deluxe and premium design all all the way. And I really like that the front grill does not have a logo. As already stated by David: “I hope that Hyundai brands it as a Genesis and leaves off the ‘Hyundai’ logo. This car should be cultivated as an upscale premium brand”. Congratulations on this excellent piece of design.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:49 am
I plan on bying one, and if they place the hyundai logo on it, I’m removing it. Really, If they don’t brand this right, they will prove to be as stupid as they was when they drop the ball in the nineties selling those cheap cars, sticking their foot in the mud.
September 8th, 2008 at 4:03 am
VW put out a large luxury sedan that was the nicest car I’ve ever seen, but they had a lot of problems selling the pricier car under the VW tag….and now they don’t sell them here any more…they should have given it a different name.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Hyundai should keep the logo on the grille, and indeed all over the car. If Hyundai produces decent models then hides them under a different brand, it will do nothing to uplift the Hyundai name. Also, with just one ‘premium’ model, its not worth creating a whole brand to cater for just the one. I think Hyundai has got it spot on, the only thing that will hold back sales is ignorance and badge snobbery.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I have the 2010 Genesis Coupe. I had my Blackberry connected to the car sucessfully. I replaced my Blackberry and cannot get the new phone to pair with the car. Any possible solutions.
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