Hyundai Genesis Audio system

[BGH]

http://www.stockhouse.com/news/news....=6292372&tick=

So V8 power
RWD
6 spd auto
radar guided cruise
heated and cooled seats
and a top of the line audio system

Hyundai wasn't screwing around.

[Michael_S]

plus
rear view camera
automatic window defogger (senses humidity levels in the air)
rain-sensing wipers
bluetooth
iPod input jack
XM NavTraffic
30 GB media storage drive
HID lights
pushbotton start
proximity key (as long as you approach the car with your key on your person, the door will unlock when you touch it)
active rear head restraints and all of the other safety features

It's also pretty light for its size at 3700, 3800, or 4000 pounds depending upon which engine you select.

For a driving enthusiast, I think the Pontiac G8 GT is going to be the clear favorite. (Hyundai has said that the Genesis V8 will manage 0-60 in under 6 seconds. But the G8 GT is pretty consistently delivering a 5.3 or 5.4 second 0-60 time. I would be really surprised if the Genesis V8 matches that, and even if it does, the G8 GT will be substantially cheaper.) But for luxury with reasonable performance, this car could do well. I'll be curious to see what the base price model costs, and how it compares to the G8 V6.

[GrandPrix08]

I highly doubt the Genesis will be a success on its first year. Not many Americans will fork over 30-40K for a Hyundai. The name that was once synonomys(sp?) for a easily breakable, un-reliable, ugly looking cheap Asian appliance car that was a laughing stock of so many talk shows, medias and general public.

The question here is: Will you pay $40,000 for a Hyundai V8? I don't think so.

Especially when the Azera, which is priced at around $26,000 or so isn't doing so well.

[paul8488]

Buick Lucerne:

Heated washer fluid

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Buick Lucerne:

Heated washer fluid

Auto down drivers window.

As i have been saying. Be worried about Hyundai.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

As i have been saying. Be worried about Hyundai.

Oh yeah... if Hyundai were smart they'd advertise the Azera and Genesis against the Lacrosse and Lucerne... pick off the easy target first. I want Buick to do well, but how can they compete with this?

[GrandPrix08]

You are forgetting one thing. The loyal domastic fans. American Sedan buyers. Many of them still prefer to buy American Muscle, American Luxury rather than an import, especially when the US economy is this bad these days. Myself included, I would rather spend my money on the big American sedan(though I am Korean, I am a fan of big American cars) rather than an un-proven so called Luxury sport sedan from the formerly known cheap car maker. V8 engine is an absolute first for a Hyundai, so you never know if it will be any good. The V6, I prefer American as well. I am sure I am not the only one, but I prefer Buicks and Cadillacs over any Lexus, Infiniti, Hyundai.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by GrandPrix08

You are forgetting one thing. The loyal domastic fans. American Sedan buyers. Many of them still prefer to buy American Muscle, American Luxury rather than an import, especially when the US economy is this bad these days. Myself included, I would rather spend my money on the big American sedan(though I am Korean, I am a fan of big American cars) rather than an un-proven so called Luxury sport sedan from the formerly known cheap car maker. V8 engine is an absolute first for a Hyundai, so you never know if it will be any good. The V6, I prefer American as well. I am sure I am not the only one, but I prefer Buicks and Cadillacs over any Lexus, Infiniti, Hyundai.

50 years ago ALL Americans were loyal domestic fans. You're right... there is a hardcore bunch that will only buy domestics... but if Toyota can convince 400,000+ people per year to buy a Camry instead of a Malibu or Fusion, I think that Hyundai will be able to convince more than a few to steer away from the tired Buick sedans with this thing. Buick could very well do a very competitive sedan if they do it in the same vein as the Enclave... but that car isn't out, and won't be anytime soon.

[ohmywrd8]

I sat in one at the auto show. GM better do something fast. This car was solid and everything in it felt good and I couldn't say a bad thing about it. Hyundai is going to rape the market with these. I think they will be that good.

[GrandPrix08]

Funny, at the NY show, they only had one, on the turning display and had nothing on the floor for the people to sample.

Well, I am not a fan of this so....

[wescoent]

Yeah... Nissan is really cleaning up with that much bally-hooed Titan.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by GrandPrix08

I highly doubt the Genesis will be a success on its first year.

I don't know that it will be a success either. But it's sure a damn good try. You have to give Hyundai credit for giving it their best shot at their first RWD fullsize sedan in the US.

Not many Americans will fork over 30-40K for a Hyundai. The name that was once synonomys(sp?) for a easily breakable, un-reliable, ugly looking cheap Asian appliance car that was a laughing stock of so many talk shows, medias and general public.

The question here is: Will you pay $40,000 for a Hyundai V8? I don't think so.

(It's "synonymous", not that it matters.)

Remember, a few years ago most American luxury car buyers would have laughed at buying a $40,000 Cadillac. 30 years ago, they would have laughed at the idea of a $40,000 Toyota, too.

Hyundai is positioning it as a luxury car. The set of luxury features is impressive, and so is the engine. If they shoved a mediocre V8 into the Sonata and put a $40,000 tag on the hood, then it would be a joke.

Especially when the Azera, which is priced at around $26,000 or so isn't doing so well.

That puzzles me, because the Azera is a genuinely nice car. The biggest drawback is the styling - and of course, to many people that really matters.

On the other hand, the Genesis is larger, more spacious, more powerful, better looking (but still not good looking) and has a lot more features.

[zete]

Price and image matter. It's why VW couldn't sell Phaetons. You think "VW" and you think "cheap transport". You think "Hyundai" and most people think "cheap transport". It's going to take years for people to accept an expensive Hyundai. They'd be smarter to start a whole new brand: Genesis. It'd do better, but then they'd have to factor in the cost of the whole new dealer network.

That said, it will get customers who want some luxury but don't want to fork over the bucks. It could eat into Buick but it could also eat into Lincoln, Lexus, Acura and Infiniti.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by zete

That said, it will get customers who want some luxury but don't want to fork over the bucks. It could eat into Buick but it could also eat into Lincoln, Lexus, Acura and Infiniti.

It will also get customers who want some performance and want a "cheap" 32V V8... It will take a few years but once/if the Northstar dies this car will KILL Buick, if they plop that engine in a coupe it will KILL Pontiac and could even wound the new Camaro.

The real victim here will be a Cadillac Division without a 32V V8... or potentially ANY V8

I remember going to a car show almost 20 years ago looking a Lexus and Infinity and thinking who would spend that kinda coin for a POS Japanese car... Unlike Bob and Rick, I learn from my mistakes... This time I'm scared... very scared, I hope someone inside GM is scared too.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by zete

Price and image matter. It's why VW couldn't sell Phaetons. You think "VW" and you think "cheap transport". You think "Hyundai" and most people think "cheap transport". It's going to take years for people to accept an expensive Hyundai.

I agree to the general principals you're stating.

But consider the specifics between these two cars.
The Phaeton cost at least $20,000 more than we can expect an equivalent options Genesis to cost. It also weighed 5200 pounds to the Genesis' 3700-4000. The Phaeton's V8 made 335 horsepower on premium compared to the Genesis' 368 on regular. The Genesis also has the same amount of cabin space and a larger trunk. And while the Phaeton's list of luxury features is impressive, as far as I can tell the Genesis has every single one except the automatic load leveling suspension, plus a few extra of its own.

Also, I would say that Hyundai currently has a better reputation for reliability than Volkswagen.

Really, though, I think price is the big difference. Volkswagen's previous top Passat, the W8 could be optioned closed to $40,000 and it didn't sell that well. The Phaeton wasn't an evolutionary move forward from that, it was a $25,000 jump.