Autoblog

Hyundai Genesis launches in Korea on December 29th

Dan Roth — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Etc., Hyundai

We saw it unveiled at the New York Auto Show back in March, and now we've got a release date for the Hyundai Genesis, just not for here. December 29th will mark coincident milestones for Hyundai. First, it's designed a new logo celebrating 40 years of growth. Second, and more exciting to us, is the Korean market launch of the Genesis (BH) sedan. The Genesis may not be groundbreaking for the rest of the industry, but it's got us on the edge of our seats nonetheless. With the Tau V8 underhood driving the proper wheels with 300 horsepower, the Genesis might come in second only to the Pontiac G8 in terms of hotly anticipated V8 RWD sedans. The styling, while derivative, is handsome, and we see hints of Infiniti and BMW all over the flanks of the Genesis. With the Korean rollout just a couple months away, we hope it arrives in the US shortly thereafter.

[Source: Hyundai via World Car Fans]

Gallery: Hyundai Concept Genesis

Hyundai Genesis launches in Korea on December 29th originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #65

Dan Roth — Wed, 09 May 2007 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Trends, Sedan, Truck, Auctions, Etc., Dodge, GM, Hyundai

We're punchy for this one (just check out our outtakes at the end, even better than last time!). We start off with a lively debate over Hyundai's rumored full-size RWD truck on the BH platform and whether it will be good or bad. No consenus was reached, but it will be exciting to see if Hyundai can morph the concept of the Honda Ridgeline into something a little more haul-friendly.

We segue from unibody pick 'em ups into the exciting story of the 2nd most expensive car ever auctioned. That is, if the buyer doesn't fink out (Too late, already did! - Ed.) when it comes time to hit the old PayPal. John Schneider's personal "General Lee" Charger with history (if you can call 80's TV camp real history) was sold on eBay for 9.95 million dollars. The cash isn't going to fund some humanitarian effort, rather, it will be used to finance a sequel to Mr. Scheider/Duke/Kent's Collier & Co. - Hot Pursuit movie. We're sure it's the next Citizen Kane. Speaking of movies, we also touch on the despicably obvious product placement in the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which is essentially a popcorn-bucket-length Dodge spot.

Wrapping it all up, we ring the bell on the "duh" category a couple times for the Lutz. The Zeta is back on, not that we really thought it was dead. B.L. has decided that it's likely wiser to tweak powerplants than to toss away an entire product renaissance worth of engineering. Whew, and we thought he might actually do it. Speaking of questions, we had no question about GM's committment to developing the Volt's battery technology. It will require an infusion of hundreds of millions of dollars, which seems like a good deal to us. Someone somewhere will have to put some time, money and effort into working out the batteries, so why not GM? It beats just sitting around and waiting. We just hope that when Chevy drops the series hybrid on us, it's wrapped in a prettier shell than the Prius. That's it for this week, enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #65 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai considering RWD, car-based pickup

John Neff — Fri, 04 May 2007 22:20:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Hyundai

Could it be true? Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com thinks so and has quotes from Hyundai to back it up. The speculation is that the South Korean automaker may levereage the BH platform on which its upcoming Genesis luxury sedan is based to produce a new rear-wheel-drive pickup. Up until this point, we were aware that in addition to the BH-based Genesis, Hyundai was also planning a long-wheelbase version of the luxury sedan, a version badged as a Kia, and a rear-wheel-drive coupe. Adding a rear-wheel-drive pickup to the mix would help Hyundai get even more mileage out of the platform, so to speak.

Of course, being based on a unibody platform, the Hyundai pickup would be more like Honda's midsize Ridgeline than Toyota's new Tundra, the latter of which was designed to compete against Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Nissan in the full-size truck segment. Hyundai's pickup would likely share the same advantages that the Ridgeline now enjoys: under bed storage, a decent ride, sharper handling, and potentially higher fuel economy than a traditional pickup. Unlike the Ridgeline, however, it would be rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive and feature Hyundai's new "Tau" 4.6L V8 rather than a V6. Thus, the Hyundai pickup would likely be a more capable hauler than the Ridgeline, which is saddled with a low 5,000-lb. towing capacity, less than half of some traditional pickups. Plus, Hyundai has confirmed that the Tau can go larger than 4.6L if it's used in a truck, which means it would produce considerably more than the 300 horsepower that's being planned for the Genesis.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com, illustration by Mark Stehrenberger used with permission]

Continue reading Hyundai considering RWD, car-based pickup

Hyundai considering RWD, car-based pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 22:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #64

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Supercars, Chevrolet, Hyundai

We're back with #64 after being laid low by illness and schedule last week. Starting it off is some analysis of the 430HP LS3 Corvette, which we were lucky enough to see unveiled in Bowling Green, KY. 430 horses in the base car...nice. Speaking of rear-wheel-drive sports cars, there's yet another special Mustang, the Super Snake. It's upper limit of 725 horsepower has instantly rendered the GT500KR that debuted in New York totally irrelevant. Wake us up when the rollouts of special Mustangs are over. *Yawn* Of course, we still manage to talk about some hot 'Stangs for a few minutes. We wrap the whole deal up with the new Hyundai coupe based on the Genesis sedan's architecture. Whether it's the new Tiburon (finally a contender?), we don't know. Nor do we know if the rendering we've seen is anywhere near accurate, but Hyundai's continuing with their aggressive push, so we'll see where it leads. It's a tight 27 minutes this week, so enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #64 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPY SHOTS - Hyundai Equus replacement sheds more camo

Dan Roth — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:43:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai

Hyundai's working on a rear-wheel-drive successor to its home-market Equus luxury sedan. The car's expected to debut at the New York Auto Show in April, and these most recent spy shots show it with less camouflage than we've seen it wearing in the past. You can't see the front end, but you get a really good look at the clean flanks. The roofline pays homage to the Euro iron Hyundai undoubtedly has in its sights; not to mention the high-end Japanese makes like Infiniti and Lexus. The kink in the lower portion of the C-pillar is a nod directly to BMW - though Infiniti copied it first. Power will be provided by the Azera's 3.8 liter V6 at the bottom end, while there's a 4.6 liter V8 reportedly generating over 300 horsepower for the top-of-the-line car. This looks like a large vehicle, and we car nuts welcome more RWD platforms with available V8s - they're a hoot to be irresponsible in. Rumors have the entry price in the $30,000 range, which is a mighty deal if it continues with Hyundai's recent formula. Expect to find styling that's pleasant in an inoffensive, non-polarizing way when the wraps come off, and we're sure that equipment levels will be high and suspension calibrations will tend toward the softer side. How soft it goes will determine whether it's a spiritual successor to the Crown Victoria, or if it plays in more rarified air occupied by the aforementioned lux-marques.

[Source: The Car Blogger via GM Inside News]

SPY SHOTS - Hyundai Equus replacement sheds more camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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