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Specialization is for Insects.
Posted on Feb 04, 2008 - 1:46am by John P. in Vehicles, Videos
A while back Hundai began displaying the new Genesis concept vehicles. First the coupe, then later the sedan. Originally they were claiming it would have “over 300 horsepower”, but today we learned it will actually be 375! Oh, and they are claiming it will cost around $40k!?!
I’ve not been a fan of Hyundai in the past, but if they keep moving up market like this I’m going to have to take a very serious look. They are claiming it’s going to have all the features found on luxury vehicles from Mercedes, Lexus, Infinity and BMW such as:
The only question is… will buyers be willing to overlook the less than premium brand if they can get all the bells and whistles of a BMW at half the price? Well, if I’m any indication, I’d say it’s a definite maybe. I’ll have to wait and reserve judgement till I have the opportunity to get behind the wheel and see how it really performs.
Here was the first look at the coupe:
Then, during the SuperBowl they ran the following advertisements:
And here was the unveiling of the vehicle with complete description:
All of that and it’s also #5 on Motor Trends Cars Worth Waiting For list.
Well it is only a matter of time to offer a cliche. Japan proved long ago that asia can compete and do better than western companies in both quality, reliability, and marketing. Korea and China no doubt will be next. Already cars marketed for Asia are clones of well known Euro sedans and Suvs, BMW or Mercedes, forget which, already has a court case ready against a Chinese company who’s one design they feel infringes on their ideas.
I don’t think Hyundai will have the exaggerated differences in quality, reliability, and marketing (and associated bigotry) that the Japanese enjoyed. The market for this kind of car are the people that can remember the Excel of the 80s that had its frame and roof buckle during a 5 mph crash test. Hyundai should do some badge engineering and come up with a luxury brand like Honda’s Acura and Nissan’s Infiniti.
very good point, as time has passed since the “Japanese Invasion”, resistance to foreign, specifically Asian brands, has decreased. The market has also changed, once permiated with yuppies, disposable income is down, dollar inflated, middle class with a desire for premium accoutrements at a bargain price, or perhaps a second car for the wife. The niche might be very exploitable. I agree about the logo, I remember the lemon excels.
The Genesis 4.6 – Profound Technology, Performance & Value
I would like to speak to those of you looking into the underlying science and research and everyone considering the Genesis 4.6 sedan by Hyundai. The vehicle is a profound example of what can be accomplished when a world-leading super-corporation decides to enter a market segment – the luxury sedan market – taking on the Germans, English and the Japanese. The reason Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, and the guys behind A8, the Jaguar and Aston Martin are quiet right now is because EACH of their cars has key components that, by design, were incorporated into the Genesis 4.6.
Check This Out – The Genesis 4.6 comes with the ZF Transmission; it is the best in the world which is why it’s been in all the best Formula-1 Race Cars, and is in MOST of the super-cars as well as some the vehicles mentioned above. Next, the ESC or Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control Technology is “agnostic” which is legal speak for engineering that can be found on numerous super-cars and luxury sedans as opposed to just one brand.
In addition to the foregoing, almost each and every component and key element of the Genesis 4.6 is supported by proven science and technology – and in most instances can be found to be THE BEST in its particular function i.e. the ZF titanium strong transmission, the super-high-tech all aluminum 4.6 ltr DOCH engine with CVVT. If that’s not enough, check out the brake and safety components. Instead of 12 inch all around they super-sized the front end and assist just as they do on the baby Lambo. BTW. The baby Lambo also uses a ZF format tranny. Moreover, the interior design, exterior design and paint, aero-dynamics, and even the profound sound system were each individually designed by people believed to be industry leaders in their craft, etc etc etc.
The bottom line is that you’re going to love the Genesis more and more as you begin to discover that the Genesis is going to sell to the most discriminate auto-enthusiasts because of the sum of its components – a symphony of profound technology – proven best of the best and then incorporated into the design.
Moreover, Hyundai isn’t a start-up company but rather is an Asian dynasty with extensive global power inasmuch as they are among the largest and most technically advanced companies in the world and have accomplished some pretty extraordinary things – such as the largest ocean vessels operating at sea. But they are not just ship builders, car makers or just another global oil giant – these guys provide value to the industries and consumers they serve.
Kudos to the Genesis Team, Well Done!
Scottsdale, Az.
I saw the Super Bowl ads and was impressed. Objectively, they can compete with anyone one in the world on quality but there is a big difference in how you run a high end dealership versus an economy car dealership. I’ve dealt with high quality, low cost dealers like Saturn and high quality, high cost like Cadillac and there is different feel and a different style of customer service, Saturn was great but there was a superior feel at Cadillac. Positioning the brand could be tough now but people who understand bang for the buck might be trading in their Euro or Asian status cars. :)
This is a very good point that I had not considered. Even if I love this Hyundai, I do NOT want to have to go to a Hyundai dealer. The entire experience from sales to customer service will absolutely suck for people who are used to Acura, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.
I agree with all the comments that Hyundai is going to need to launch a luxury brand just like everyone else if they truly want to compete in this market. And if they do that, they’re going to have to raise prices.
John P.
Objectively they cant compete on quality – look at Consumers reports – they are just average
I’m a huge fan of Hyundai and even moreso now that they’re offering a RWD coupe with Nav, HIDs, and other luxury features.
However the sedan may end up being more my niche as the ease of entry of the kids is a plus..
I’m on my 4th Hyundai since 2001. I was a Honda only person before but the reliability of Honda was never there for me. Additionally, everyone else out there had one so there was never any feeling of being unique.
My first Hyundai was an accent I used for commuting. Great little subcompact that got 35mpg+ to work each day that nearly made it to 100k before another driver hit me and it had to be totaled out. Great experience. Bought an Elantra for my ex along with that Accent that I still have today. Then bought an 04 Tiburon which was great. Then an 07 Elantra now.
Unless the car requires something special like a convertible or high end sports car, etc. I’ll always go with Hyundai. they came out and changed a flat tire on the freeway of all places when it was 115 degrees outside.
That convenience is worth its weight in gold right there. Their warranty and roadside assistance is fantastic, although I’ve never needed the former in any of the 4 cars I bought.
Really excited to see how the pricing and such comes out.
I am missing something here. Because they SAY it is like a BMW or Infiniti does not make it one. Toyota has vehicles that are far more reliable than Hyundai. Ford and Kia have similar sized vehicles as well. The early claims were that it was the size of a S-series or 7- Series but the specs show it is almost identical (with less driver headroom) than a Inifiti M-35.
I was very seriously looking at the Genesis and did ALOT of research on it vs an Infiniti. I recently picked up the M35xf. It will be several years before I would risk that kind of money on a Hyundai. As a VP I also needed cache – (which Hyundai seemed to forget most people who have the money they are asking for the Genesis). The warranty is not transferable (10 yr). Again, I have not seen any professional spend $40k+ on a car keep it more than 5 years anyway (retirees excluded).
Market segmentation is definetly missed with this launch. This car may compete with the Avalon nicely but a BMW, Mercedes or Infiniti – definetly not. If they had hired a solid marketing company they would have done what the Japanese had done and developed a new line.
Lastly – what also annoys me is the constant anti-US protests of the Koreans. Buy their cars and “death to America” seems like another poor marketing campaign.
all of Hyundai cars are junk. Let me tell you a story about Hyundai Azera safety.Hyundai advertise Azera as a reliable and safe car ,but one of my friend had an accident with his Azera(he was driver of Azera),front to front with an old peugeot 405. my friend died ,but none of 405 passenger and driver hurt!