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Spy Shots: Production Hyundai Genesis Sedan
by Chris Shunk on Nov 17th 2007 at 7:56AM 
What do you get when you cross a Lexus LS460 and and a BMW 5-Series (plus a healthy dollop of Toyota Crown -Ed.)? You get what appears to be the production Hyundai Genesis sedan. The front end looks as though it was ripped right off of the most expensive Lexus, with a strikingly similar set of headlights, a spot-on grille, and similar brightwork. Only the lower fascia wanders from the LS460. Out back, it appears that Hyundai took a pass on the classic Lexus C-pillar, but the Korean automaker's designers were obviously fond of the BMW 5-Series.
The big difference between the Genesis sedan and the vehicles it borrows from is that Hyundai likely has no intention of charging $60,000 for its RWD 4-door. While we're generally not a big fan of derivative styling, the Genesis looks pretty good for a RWD V8 sedan priced in the $30,000 range.
Thanks for the tip, Jose!
[Source: bobaedream]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
sign 8:06AM (11/17/2007)
"yawn"
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Russell 3:07PM (11/17/2007)
They should release a book "Hyundai for dummies" together with "duh" commercials.
Atomicbri 8:17AM (11/17/2007)
Ok so maybe it is a mixed bag of styling cues from many manufactuerers, but I have to give it to Hyundai to even attempt a rear wheel drive sedan in a pretty decent looking package. Depending on its price will fore tell of its fortunes to come. If it starts a lil over $30K, and has a powerful rear driven V8, I can't really see where it could go wrong, save the badge snobs downing it cause they can only see Hyundai as the 1988 Excel Hatchback.
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sk 8:34AM (11/17/2007)
To compete in the RWD market starting price has to be under $30k. If I want a performance RWD with V8 I rater look at the Pontiac G8, much more exiting.
MikeW 11:12AM (11/17/2007)
If I don't want a crossplane crank V8, but want V6 performance, then I will be looking at the genesis.
300hp V6 & 6 speed auto.
The G8 3.6 & 5L40 looks like a rental car powertrain.
joe97 12:48PM (11/17/2007)
sk "To compete in the RWD market starting price has to be under $30k. If I want a performance RWD with V8 I rater look at the Pontiac G8, much more exiting."
To compete in the RWD market starting price will be under $30K. And, if I want the combination of performance and luxury RWD with V8, I would have myself a Genesis/BH.
Bryan 8:20AM (11/17/2007)
*barf*
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Jerk Face 11:31AM (11/17/2007)
LOL
Mercury Fan Forever 8:25AM (11/17/2007)
Not at all what I was expecting. I think it really ugly.
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seoultrain 1:28PM (11/17/2007)
seriously, did they just throw away all the styling from the concept? It's not like the concept wasn't well received. If the Genesis coupe undergoes the same transformation, i'll be furious.
matthew 8:26AM (11/17/2007)
Better then a 300C I bet...
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Gardiner Westbound 9:05AM (11/17/2007)
Hyundai has knoocked one out of the park. It will be a winner.
Some people were skeptical when the Lexus LS 400 was introduced, dismissing it as a cheap Mercedes knock-off. Look at it now.
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FamilyGuy 9:49AM (11/17/2007)
Lexus Front and 5 Series Rear??
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Bling Boy 10:00AM (11/17/2007)
This Car will be a win win for anyone in the market for a new family sedan..A V8 powerplant,Leather, Navigation System and more for thousands less than a BMW 3 series with less goodies? (How can any car fan hate on that idea regardless of the badge it wears?)
The Genesis will raise the bar for other car makers and force them to offer more for less..My memories of the horrid Hyundai Excel are still too vivid for me to purchase a Hyundai, but I've enjoyed seeing this company make a turn-a-round in less than a generation - unlike GM.
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William 10:07AM (11/17/2007)
Sure, it looks derivative. But has it 'ripped' the Lexus LS460? Care to describe what a Lexus C-pillar is? Apparently, it's nothing more than a Hoffmeister kink that is found on all BMWs, Pontiac G8 (surprised?), Lincoln MKS, Honda Accord, and the Nissan Altima. Maybe the Genesis isn't the one we shouldn't be picking on.
William Lee
TheCarBlogger
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500 2:35PM (11/17/2007)
Exactly, what the hell is a "classic" Lexus C-pillar? Or a classic Lexus ANYTHING for that matter? The brand has only been around since the 1990 model year, and every single generation of the LS has either borrowed styling from the previous Mercedes S-Class or the BMW 7-series. A good car, sure, but "classic?" No way.
Egon 10:25AM (11/17/2007)
Thanks Hyundai. I always wondered what a 4-wheeled Rolex knockoff would look like. Maybe, if we're really lucky, that idiotic 'Duh' ad campaign will still be around for the introduction.
True, Toyota/Lexus travelled this same path, but they were smart enough to separate the brands. Hyundai, on the other hand, will be trying to hock Genesises (Genisi?) alongside Accent turdboxes. Good luck with that.
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Bob-omb 11:13AM (11/17/2007)
Turdbox? Classy.
I don't see what a 30k plush car has to do with a 15k subcompact. It's not like Volkswagen, going from a 18k Beetle to a 90K Phaeton.
John R 12:12PM (11/17/2007)
I'm with Bob-omb on this. I don't have a problem with this car. I wish they tried to stay faithful to the headlamps from the concept, but oh well...Good for Hyundai.
And it is kinda "Duh" when you can get 238hp mid-size with a good warranty for a monthly car note of roughly $250 a month.
CastleCharles 3:08PM (11/17/2007)
actually there has been alot reported about the Genesis being the first offering of a new Hyundai based luxury brand.