Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis sedan.
It's official. After gauging public reaction, Hyundai has decided not to slap on the automaker's swoopy "H" logo onto the Genesis sedan's front grille.
Two versions of the sedan were on display in Detroit, one with the aforementioned badge prominently placed in the center of the fascia and the other, which has been around since the introduction of the Genesis Concept, sporting the krill-grille sans logo. We're evenly divided about which looks better, but the general consensus is that the debadged front end had more of an upscale air.Speaking with Automotive News, Hyundai's vice president of product development, John Krafic, said that Hyundai is expecting about 20-percent of buyers to opt for the 4.6-liter V8. Interestingly, Krafic said that cylinder deactivation and direct injection could be added on future models and that a supercharger could find its way under the hood to boost performance. No word on when either of these features would be added to the Genesis after it goes on sale this summer.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JunkStory @ Feb 6th 2008 4:34PM
I think they should be more bold in having their logo on the front grill. This car will be kicking ass, and would be a shame not to have the logo on display.
Tragedy @ Feb 6th 2008 4:36PM
Dear Lord! They took the H! But thats how you know its a Honda, err, Hyundai [/Superintendent Chalmers]
clevershark @ Feb 6th 2008 4:36PM
A logo-less grille is better, unless you have an upmarket logo to start with (e.g. Audi, Mercedes, BMW). That's something that companies like Hyundai and Suzuki needs to realize...
porschedevotee @ Feb 6th 2008 5:40PM
It would be awesome if someone pulled the opposite of that guy in SoCal and stuck Bentley badges all over this thing.
Mercury Fan Forever @ Feb 6th 2008 4:37PM
The grille without the logo is the only bad part about this car.
PAT @ Feb 6th 2008 4:39PM
Brilliant move, you can convince novice car goers (or unsuspecting chicks) that it cost an arm and leg. I think they just took a Mercedes and BMW, used computer morphing software, then poof you have Genesis.
Tragedy @ Feb 6th 2008 4:40PM
There's still a Hyundai logo on the back. With 375HP, a lot of people will be seeing it.
nick @ Feb 6th 2008 4:42PM
Hyundai, like Chevy, should redesign their logo. They're both ugly and cheap looking. They may not have the prestige or history that Mercedes has but they can still come up with something nicer that will look better on their cars.
Tragedy @ Feb 6th 2008 4:42PM
Good thing that computer doesn't emulate the poor quality of Mercedes and BMW.
John P. @ Feb 6th 2008 4:46PM
I agree with not putting the logo on the grille. That hyundai H looks cheap and chinzy. Not bad for $8k hyundai's of old, but not a car trying to sell itself as "luxury" car.
Joe K. @ Feb 6th 2008 4:48PM
What does it say about your brand's image when people would rather buy your car without it being visible?
Jason @ Feb 6th 2008 5:32PM
It speaks volumes, but at least Hyundai understands the US public's current perception of them. This car will absolutely do/sell better without the 'H' detracting from the front of the car.
With the 'H', people know up front (no pun intended) it's a Hyundai which automatically changes their view of the vehicle. "Oh, it's a Hyundai... [ho-hum]"
But without the 'H' you can pull the ol' bait-n-switch... woo them with a fantastic car, *then* hit them with the fact it's a Hyundai. "WOW! THAT is a Hyundai?!"
In this case you want the [good] impressions of the CAR to be applied to the COMPANY, not vice versa.
Ligor @ Feb 6th 2008 4:53PM
I wonder what the Acura dealers will tell their custmers when they show up with a dealer Genesis to compare to the RL
maybe that the RL has SHAWD - Honda neds to revamp Acura or Hyundai will become it's biggest threat
FX @ Feb 6th 2008 4:54PM
suggest they leave an empty slot in the center of the grill and sell knock-off logos from Infiniti, Lexus and BMW. Owners can glue on whatever logo they want.
Please help me understand this: No luxury division as Chung and Hyundai officials claim this is a 'brand enhancing product' for North America and not even being sold in Europe but there is no Hyundai logo on the car. I understand that but it appears, like their Superbowl ads that the marketing and direction of this very, very good product is being destroyed by the idiots in Korea.
I know they can recoup all their R&D costs ($550 million) in their home market as they cost a ton and they sold over 12,000 of them in the first month....so they can't lose any money but they aren't enhancing their brand image by leaving the logo off.
This is as bad as the Superbowl ad that focused on size instead of driving dynamics and technology. Is it any wonder that this sleeping giant is staying asleep?
Luis @ Feb 6th 2008 4:55PM
No logo, good. Supercharger, better.
psarhjinian @ Feb 6th 2008 4:55PM
I think it's a nice change, especially in an era where the logos plastered on products are getting obnoxiously large (Ford, Mercedes). It bugs me that, when I'm being tailed by certain cars, all I can see is a big Ford or Mercedes logo in my rear-view mirror.
This says (to me) "Screw you, the product is good enough that the badge doesn't matter". It's still on the back, though, which gives a nice touch of "Dude, you just got dusted by a Hyundai".
Luis @ Feb 6th 2008 4:57PM
If you put the logo on, you'll take away the "what the heck was THAT?!" element.
Tyo @ Feb 6th 2008 4:57PM
Chevy should absolutley NOT replace the bowtie.
Thats just rediculous.
Hyundai however, should pull a Mazda and redesign every few years like they did in the 90's
mk @ Feb 6th 2008 5:00PM
my car doesn't NEED to advertize what brand it is with a big grille logo.
The logo on the steering wheel and the trunk lid (which most people see while the car is in a parking lot, who sees a logo when driving? I am more concerned with where the cars are GOING, than what logo they have on the grille)
But I think with the intro of the new RL, this car is going to do just fine.
This car looks down-right sexy compared to the new RL.
Atropos @ Feb 6th 2008 5:01PM
Looks better without the logo. Most cars do.
"Good thing that computer doesn't emulate the poor quality of Mercedes and BMW."
Yes, I'll have to tell this to our C230. What a poorly designed car... 70k and nothing except tires, oil changes and a blown brake light. Pity.