Autoblog

Click above for more shots of the Genesis Coupe at the Busan Auto Show.

Two things revealed at this year's New York Auto Show had our salivary glands working overtime. The first was the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which proved that at least one automaker (and now, two and possibly three) is getting hip to the idea that a rear-wheel-drive, two-door coupe with a turbocharged four-cylinder is needed in the marketplace. The second was over at the Kia booth, where Hyundai's sub-brand revealed its Koup concept, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline direct-injected (GDI) four-cylinder. According to Kia, this new mill makes 290 hp and 289 lb.-ft. of torque and could power several different models in both automaker's lineups.

Fast-forward to yesterday when we received a couple of tips about a green Genesis Coupe shown at the Busan Auto Show in South Korea. The coupe supposedly shared display space with the same THETA turbocharged GDI 2.0-liter on a separate stand, causing some members of GenFans to assume that the 290 ps (285 hp) engine was fitted to the green coupe. However, the "380GT" badge on the back reveals that the coupe is actually powered by the run-of-the-mill 3.8-liter V6.

We called up Hyundai to ask about the engine and the Coupe on display. Their response: "We're not commenting on it at this time." While we understand that certain cards have to be kept close to one's chest, it would have been easier just to tell us that the coupe on display and the engine at its booth have nothing in common. Since they're remaining disconcertingly tight-lipped, can we assume that the turbocharged 2.0-liter GDI will find its way into the Genesis Coupe in the future? We hope so. And with Hyundai's recent announcement that direct-injected engines are going to find their way into several of its models, it adds that much more fuel to the fire.


[Sources: Hyundai, GenFans]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

On the eve of the official unveiling of the Genesis coupe, we were able to score a few details from company execs about the future of Hyundai's first foray into turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive goodness. While Hyundai will only be showing off two versions of the Genesis coupe in New York, more variants are planned for the future, including a targa model sporting a retractable glass roof (ala Porsche 911 Targa), a convertible, and, more compelling, a lightweight version only offered with the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder.

Hyundai admits that only so much can be done to shed pounds from the coupe, which is already a rather portly beast to begin with, but by nixing some of the sound deadening material and possibly ditching the rear seats, Hyundai hopes that the sporting nature of the Genesis coupe will be fully realized. Naturally, this proposed lightweight model would have even more appeal to enthusiasts and could foretell a future motorsports campaign from an automaker that has thus far stayed off the performance junkie's radar.

We'll have a full report after Hyundai's press conference tomorrow, so check back in around 3:50 pm for the full scoop on the Genesis coupe.

Click above to view Hyundai's two Superbowl ads.

While we're hardly advertising analysts, of all the TV spots that we endured while watching the Superbowl, Hyundai's Genesis commercials seemed to be the most clear and cohesive (unlike some other automakers). Apparently, we weren't alone.

Nielsen's Online MegaPanel Survey crunched some of the data it captured from viewers during the game and found that Hyundai's spots were some of the best received. Overall, 43-percent of the people polled said that the ads improved their view of Hyundai's image, while 57-percent thought that the ads were informative – essentially telling them something new – and 45-percent thought the spots where "believable."

Hopefully some of that goodwill transfers over to dealerships when Hyundai launches the Genesis sedan later this year. It's certainly more of a game-changer than Audi's "old luxury" campaign and it may finally pull Hyundai's image out of the bargain-basement brand identity that it's so fervently trying to escape.

We've embedded Hyundai's Superbowl spots after the jump, along with their press release.

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai has quickly developed a full range of products in its US lineup, and quality scores from companies like JD Power show those vehicles now rank among the best in the industry. For all of Hyundai's progress the past few years, the South Korean automaker has taken its time getting navigation systems into its fleet of cars and trucks.

For '08, the Azera, Santa Fe, and Veracruz all get nav systems, the Genesis sedan receives a separate high-end interface, and the bread-and-butter 2009 Sonata will get the tech as well. The folks over at Kicking Tires proclaim the interface to be bright, clear, and easy to use. It's about time. With Hyundai raising the price of entry for the Sonata to match (or exceed) the competition, it's important that the midsize sedan has everything the competition offers. It's just a shame that it took until now for them to do it.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

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.]

click above image to view Hyundai's Super Bowl commercials

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and that means we get to see the best commercials that money can buy, and perhaps some football, as well. Hyundai was unsure whether it wanted to spend $2.5m a pop for two :30 spots (a voice over by the Dude doesn't come cheap), but in the end the South Korean automaker decided the Genesis sedan was a big-time product, and it deserved a spot on the world's biggest stage. We loaded both of Hyundai's ads after the jump, and we like what we see.

Hyundai deliberately shied away from any sort of pizazz or funny gimmicks, instead focusing on the virtues of its 375-hp rear-wheel-drive sedan. The silver Genesis on center stage, which is actually the Korean market model (note the winged "Genesis" hood badge and home-market grille), looks great in motion, and Hyundai didn't waste any time needling the luxury car competition. The two spots reference the Genesis having 7-Series and S-Class size with a price tag closer to that of the 3-Series or C-Class. Both spots knock the fact that most Super Bowl ads are about entertainment instead of great products, and both :30 ads drive home the point that Hyundai has a potential game-changer on its hands. We're not advertising experts, but we'd consider this $5m well spent. Follow the jump to preview the ads. Thanks for the tip, Alex!

[Source: Hyundai]

Episode 85 of the Autoblog Podcast finds us reminiscing about the North American International Auto Show that recently invaded Detroit. It was perhaps not as thrilling as past shows, but the new F-150 and Ram hauled and herded some excitement into Cobo. Both pickups are newly spiffed and bristling with new features and engineering. While the trucks are no doubt big news, the CTS Coupe stokes our fires far more. We hope to see it visited by the V-series gnomes, too.

There were a passel of diesels at the show, too. Audi's V12 TDI R8 concept was filled with design gumdrops for us to chew on, besides the 12-pot 500-hp diesel that returns mileage in the 20s. BMW had its 335d and some X5 alphabet soup thing, and Honda showed its clean diesel. Beyond oil burners, we took an IRL look at the Hyundais Genesis and found it surprising beyond what pictures convey. The Lancer Ralliart turned out to be a charmer, while we question the very existence of VW's Passat CC, and Fisker's bestickered Karma was certainly software-worthy vaporware. Mazda had the best car in the show with its racy Furai, and the Lincoln MKT threatens Cadillac not one whit. Ford's Verve is a bright spot, though, and it can't get here fast enough. We had a lot more to say, but ran out of time to say it this time around. Watch this space for more, but for now, enjoy all 33 minutes of #85.

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The Hyundai Genesis has just finished shooting its close-up. Shot in what looks like ABC Super Slo Mo, you get a pretty good idea of how you'll fare in a Genesis should you encounter another large object at speed. During the frontal impact test the passenger cabin remained virtually unaffected, and after seeing the side impact test all we can say is thank goodness for side airbags. Who knows, if the Genesis keeps turning in these kinds of performances, it could one day be a star. Follow the jump for the footage.

Thanks for the tip, wowfactor!

[Source: YouTube]

click above for more high-res live images of the 2008 Hyunda Genesis Sedan

The unveiling of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis revealed that Korean automaker wants to make this sedan "the LS400 of the 21st century," doing for Korea what Lexus did for Japanese luxury in the '90s. If that's achievable – and we certainly aren't going to deny the possibility – the Genesis might have what it takes. But its non-descript demeanor and derivative styling has to be overcome by the tech and torque of a premium sedan delivered at a rock-bottom price.

As mentioned previously, three engines will be available: a 3.3-liter V6, a 3.8-liter V6 and the Tau 4.6-liter V8. The latter, when equipped with the six-speed automatic gearbox and Shiftronic controls, should allow the stately sedan to make the run to 60 in under six seconds. More impressive, the Genesis comes with a five-link suspension in both the front and the rear to keep things planted at speed and comfy for the daily slog.

What's likely to get buyers in the door, however, is the standard and optional equipment with which the Genesis is offered. Aside from plenty of safety features (active head restraints, stability control and eight airbags), Hyundai has equipped the Genesis with everything from adaptive front headlamps, a heated and cooled driver seat, push-button start, sat-nav with a backup camera, adaptive cruise control and a Lexicon 7.1 surround sound stereo with almost as many speakers as you have fingers and toes. Lexicon – as Hyundai was quick to point out – is the same supplier to Rolls-Royce; take that however you like.

Check out our new lives shots in the gallery below and our previous post on the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan for more details.

We're back from the holidays with Autoblog Podcast episode #84. Kicking things off, we review what's been in John, Damon, and Alex's parking spots in the Autoblog Garage. After a Mazda CX7/CX9-Honda Fit-Audi S5-lovefest, we're on to real happenings. Things are ratcheting up as we head into the North American International Auto Show next week, and we'll have coverage from the show starting this weekend. Ahead of the actual show in Detroit, we've been watching as embargoes fall. GM has had all of its secrets revealed with the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, Hummer HX, and Saab 9-4X hitting the internets prior to their official unveilings. Also uncovered, the Hyundai Genesis, which clearly has the Germans in its sights, not to mention Lexus and Infiniti. We're not sure if we're excited or skeptical, but it's hard to argue with the value that the car will likely offer. And Hyundai's not fooling around, so we'll be adding our names to the list when they finally become available for sampling. Thanks for your 51 minutes, let's do this again soon, okay?

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