GM and Toyota first in line to buy Hyundai Genesis
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis.
Hyundai sold a healthy amount of Genesis sedans after it went on sale last month, and of the 800 models running around the U.S., General Motors and Toyota were two of the first to pick up the new luxury sedan from the Korean automaker.
According to Michael Deitz, Hyundai's manager of product development, both automakers purchased V6-equipped models since the V8 isn't available yet, and that one of the buyers identified himself as part of GM's "Competitive Intelligence Department."
While automakers routinely purchase competing vehicles for in-house R&D purposes, it's telling that the General and ToMoCo were quick to snatch up the Genesis. With Hyundai aiming its new sedan at buyers looking for all the trappings of a high-end luxury model, minus the badge, we wouldn't be surprised to learn that Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW have all placed their own orders for the Genesis.
Deitz went on to tell Wards that Hyundai will be announcing its future plans for alternative-fuel vehicles in the U.S. later this year, and is currently testing liquefied petroleum gas vehicles in South Korea, fuel-cell vehicles in California and Michigan, and is considering diesel engines for its SUVs. The 4.8-liter V8 is expected to benefit from cylinder deactivation in the future and a supercharger is expected to be available further down the line.
Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Misc.
Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan
[Source: Wards Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
why not the LS2LS7? 4:07PM (8/15/2008)
Low class for Hyundai to try to tout this.
Reply
2004m3driver 4:14PM (8/15/2008)
Well I guess its because they are suppose to be the underdog and the copycats here.
Temple 5:34PM (8/15/2008)
Yeah, this is nothing to brag about, its common business practice to see what the competition has made. In fact, its more telling that they don't have the established luxury-brands like Mercedes, Audi, and BMW checking them out.
RJ 6:59PM (8/15/2008)
The big question is:
how can GM afford to buy such an expensive car?
k.w.a 7:40PM (8/15/2008)
@ Temple-
The high end luxury brands don't need to--yet. So far Hyundai has made its way up to be equal to them, not better. That probably puts them more in the range of lexus/infiniti/acura/saab/volvo etc...even though in the luxury category, brand image and history of prestige( or lack thereof) will be the biggest determinant of sales. By the time the next generation of the Genesis comes around, i i think it will be a fierce contender, but as of right now I don't think it'll scare the Germans too much.
Besides, even if the Genesis does get close to matching BMW and Mercedes, the next 5 series and E Class will be over-engineered with polarizing styles to widen the gap again.
Ford Wannup 7:52PM (8/15/2008)
this is such sensationalist nonsense...I'd be concern if they don't check out the competition
Temple 9:41PM (8/15/2008)
@k.w.a.
Honestly, the Germans don't really build that much better of a vehicle then the Americans or Japanese. In the US, Lexus even outsells the Germans. I used to own a 400SEL back in the days, and if it wasn't for cars like the LS, Mercedes would be making cumbersome tanks like I used to own.
In fact, this contrived press release reminds me of those old Lexus ads where they have the Germans studying the LS bickering about cup holders. The difference is that this ain't news, Toyota, GM, and everyone else probably have a Kia Rio in their garage to see what the competition has. Hell, I'm sure they have a bunch of Tatas and Chinese vehicles for good measure.
Crackberry Addict 4:08PM (8/15/2008)
man if they make a Supercharged DI V8 550+ hp/tq at Hyundai prices, ill be the first in line!
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SPG 5:38PM (8/15/2008)
I guess that would make me second in line.
JDMlover 9:36PM (8/15/2008)
i guess they are aimmin for the new M5....or even the up comin GS-F?? or the beastly XF!!
Hyundai...YOU GOT BALLS!!!!
Epyx 4:13PM (8/15/2008)
"liquefied petroleum gas" What is that? Sounds like a fancy why of saying gasoline but obviously it is something different. Never heard of it.
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Allan 4:15PM (8/15/2008)
Could be something to do with the Gas to Liquid stuff that Shell has been advertising...
tanooki2003 4:22PM (8/15/2008)
You both are wrong. What they are talking about is Propane.
Most taxi's in Malaysia have been using this method for quite awhile so I'm not surprised that Korea is doing the same.
Even Rousch has been doing this for some of Ford's F-150's here in NA.
Try to do a little more research instead of playing guessing games
Epyx 4:26PM (8/15/2008)
I am not wrong, I never guessed what it was. I asked the question because I did not know.
retsel 4:27PM (8/15/2008)
It called Liquefied Natual Gas or LNG.
Epyx 4:28PM (8/15/2008)
Ok - so it is propane and/or butane. Got it.
tanooki2003 4:34PM (8/15/2008)
@restel
You can't also forget about LPG which was what I have been talking about earlier and what Roush has been doing for the Ford F-150 series.
"Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture of propane (90%) and other gases, is a clean-burning fuel."
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/lpg.shtml
letstakeawalk 4:37PM (8/15/2008)
LPG is a little different from LNG.
http://www.envocare.co.uk/lpg_lng_cng.htm
Sleighboy 4:39PM (8/15/2008)
If we get an LPG V8 with forced induction, I'll be mighty impressed.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:42PM (8/15/2008)
sleighboy:
Nice Tech-4.