By David Goodspeed – dgoodspeed@blitzweekly.com
Dictionary.com defines the word “Genesis” as a coming into being, an origin or a creation. Hyundai defines Genesis as “a vehicle crafted to rival the world’s premier sport sedans.”
When Hyundai introduced its new Genesis sedan lineup to the media a few years back, I wrote, “I define Genesis as the next big thing. Get ready because you are going to be seeing a lot of these cars on the road soon.”
Hyundai has basically taken the design elements of the world’s leading luxury sport sedans and combined that with performance parameters of the top rear-wheel-drive models on the road to develop Genesis – a new beginning for the Korean automaker.
At launch, Genesis was offered in two models, defined by the engine that powers each. The Genesis 4.6 features the all-new Tau V-8 powerplant – the first in North America from the automaker – and the Genesis 3.8 utilizes a next-generation Lambda 3.8-liter V-6. Each are mated to their own six-speed automatic transmission with sport shift, the former harnessed to the same ZF sport gearbox used by Jaguar in their sport models.
Zipping around the upscale suburbs of Miami on that press jaunt, we learned the new Genesis was more than just another pretty face. Hyundai has done its homework and Genesis is the real deal. And it is a real Hyundai, meaning it is a great value with a great warranty backing it up.
“So Hyundai, what have you done for us lately,” you might ask? Well, sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…
Hyundai took its Genesis sedan and threw in a 429hp 5.0-liter R-Spec V-8 engine and mated it to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox with SHIFTRONIC manual shift capability. Fuel economy does not suffer much as the R-Spec is still capable of 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
Backing up the new powertrain is a performance package that includes unique 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tires and sport-tuned transmission, suspension (with selective damping), and steering calibrations that together all combine for one fun-to-drive Hyundai.
After initial testing of the vehicle I can just imagine Hyundai execs all standing next to the vehicle doing the “Nana, nana, boo, boo” at the European competition.
Style combined with substance and all at a killer price – $46,500 with everything included.
Can the Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec hold its own against the competition? In a word, yes. Acceleration? Yes. Handling? Yes. Styling? Yes. Technology? Yes. You get the idea
Waiting to deliver a vehicle in this category has paid off for the automaker as designers and engineers had the benefit of seeing all the competition from East to West had to offer and were able to glean (emulate, complement, illustrate, interpret – OK, copy) the very best at an incredible value.