Hyundai unveils ‘Genesis’ luxury sports sedan

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

09 January 2008

Hyundai unveils ‘Genesis’ luxury sports sedan

Hyundai Motor Co. yesterday opened a bold new era with the world premiere of Genesis luxury sports sedan at a VIP-filled launch ceremony. With its artfully-sculpted modern exterior form and understated, clean character lines, Genesis projects an authoritative, sophisticated presence. Developed under the BH project codename over a period of four years, Genesis represents an investment of 500 billion won (approximately NZ$690 million).

"Genesis portrays the caliber of Hyundai technology, consolidating Hyundai’s position as a leader in the global automotive industry and paving the way forward for Hyundai’s leap in the global market," stated Philip Eustace, Executive Director, Hyundai Motors NZ.

Genesis is manufactured at the company's Ulsan plant at a new purpose built facility which adopts numerous innovations in manufacturing. Using the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-series and Lexus GS as the engineering benchmarks for the Genesis program, the HMC development team broke with over two decades of front engine, front-wheel drive architecture and consequently adopted a rear-wheel drive configuration.

Genesis, today being sold in Korea, China and North America, comes with a choice of two engines: the 3.3-litre V-6 Lambda (258hp with a fuel economy rating of 10km per litre) and its larger V-6 sibling which displaces 3.8-litres (rated at 286hp and 9.6km per litre). Later in the year, the all-new 4.6-litre V-8 Tao engine will join the lineup.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through an Aisin 6-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission that features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy.

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. Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardising key life-saving safety technology such as an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

An electronic active head restraint system will debut on Genesis. Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer this feature, an improvement over mechanically based active head restraint systems. Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.

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. The capabilities of the advanced front and rear-suspension are maximized through Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) allowing tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements. ASD technology, adopted by Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, optimizes road surface contact, improves ride comfort with more body / wheel control and increases driving comfort without compromised handling.

Genesis’ other innovative features include:

· Driver Information System with a 30GB hard disk drive and user-friendly multimedia jog/shuttle wheel controller provides near-instant control over navigation, audio entertainment system (CD/DVD/MP3 personal audio such as i-Pod), cell-phone with Bluetooth connectivity, DMB television. All DIS functions are software updatable giving Genesis owners easy and quick access to the expanded features and latest improvements.

· A premium surround-sound audio system by Lexicon® with 17 speakers and a 12-channel 528W amplifier featuring LOGIC 7® technology. Rolls Royce Phantom and Hyundai Genesis are the only automobiles to offer Lexicon®.

· Electronic Parking Brake: simply flick the switch to engage/disengage the parking brake

· Smart Key Technology with key proximity sensor which enables driver to simply "press" the button to start or stop the engine

· State-of-the-Art Sachs sports-tuned Electronic Air Suspension raises or lowers vehicle height to optimize aerodynamics and improve road-holding during high speed driving

Early indications for the Genesis are that the vehicle will be available as a right-hand drive vehicle and will be available in the New Zealand market late 2009 / early 2010.

“The Genesis is yet another Hyundai which demonstrates the pristine quality, innovation and performance of Hyundai’s vehicles. It is great to see that the extreme efforts, money and time that have been put into this vehicle can now be showcased. The bar has been raised once again” exclaimed Mr. Eustace.

* In 2007, Hyundai in New Zealand was the sixth largest selling passenger vehicle manufacturer and has numerous new locations among its 23 dealerships. The brand has been imported into New Zealand by the Giltrap Group for the past 25 years.

* Worldwide Hyundai was the sixth largest automaker in 2006, selling in 193 countries and employing over 70,000 people. Forty years old, Hyundai has targeted customer satisfaction as its 2007 keynote, part of the brand's overall aim to become global quality leader.

* Hyundai is a committed sponsor of sports and cultural organisations in New Zealand and worldwide. See www.hyundai.co.nz

* For further information about Hyundai vehicles in New Zealand, including high resolution images and an archive of press releases, log onto the dedicated Hyundai Media website at www.hyundai.co.nz/media

* For the international media news room, where you can download press releases, high-resolution photos, as well as preview and request broadcast-standard video which will be delivered digitally or by tape, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/HyundaiMotor. Registration and video is free to accredited media.

ENDS

© Scoop Media