Monthly Archives: February 2009

HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES 2010 GENESIS COUPE PRICING

Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the new Genesis Coupe, starting at $22,000 for a well-equipped 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine 2.0T model and $25,000 for the 306-horsepower, 3.8-liter, V6 engine model. Genesis Coupe will begin arriving at Hyundai dealerships later in the month.

“Genesis sedan set a new benchmark for the premium sedan segment and we think Genesis Coupe will do the same in the sport coupe arena,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and chief executive officer. “From our 30-mpg 2.0T with its low-pressure, intercooled, four-cylinder turbo, to the 3.8-liter Track model with 306 horsepower and Brembo® braking system, Genesis Coupe offers a wide range of powertrain and performance choices for driving enthusiasts of all stripes.”

2010 Genesis Coupe Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing

Model	Engine	Package	Transmission	MSRP
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.		Six-Speed Manual	$22,000
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.		Five-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$23,250
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	Premium	Six-Speed Manual	$24,250
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	Premium	Five-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$25,500
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	Track	Six-Speed Manual	$26,750
Genesis Coupe 2.0T	2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl.	R-Spec *	Six-Speed Manual	$23,750
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6		Six-Speed Manual	$25,000
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6		ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$26,500
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Grand Touring	Six-Speed Manual	$27,500
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Grand Touring	ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$29,000
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Track	Six-Speed Manual	$29,500
Genesis Coupe 3.8	3.8-liter V6	Track	ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC®	$31,000

Note: Add $750 freight charge
* Denotes mid-model year availability

GENESIS COUPE 2.0T: A MORE EFFICIENT TAKE ON THE REAR-WHEEL DRIVE SPORT COUPE

Standard equipment includes:
– 2.0-liter, low-pressure, turbocharged, intercooled 4-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, 223 lb.-ft. of torque (at just 2,000 rpm), an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph
– M6VR1 6-speed manual transmission (Optional: A5SR1 5-speed electronic automatic transmission with lockup torque converter and steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift Shiftronic® controls)
– 18-inch Euroflange alloy wheels with staggered Bridgestone Potenza RE92A tires (225/45VR18 front, 245/45VR18 rear)
– Electronic Stability Control with Traction control, ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist
– 12.6-inch ventilated front rotors with 60mm single piston floating caliper
– 12.4-inch solid rear rotors with 43mm single piston floating caliper
– Sport-tuned MacPherson strut dual-link front suspension and five-link rear independent suspension, 24mm front stabilizer bar, 19mm rear stabilizer bar
– Front strut brace
– Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
– Tire Pressure Monitoring System
– Front, side, side air curtain air bags
– Active front head restraints
– Driver’s lumbar support
– Black-out front lower fascia
– Air conditioning
– Satin silver and chrome interior accents
– Remote keyless entry system with alarm
– Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
– Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors
– AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers
– iPod/ USB Aux jack connectivity
– Steering wheel audio controls
– Cruise control
– Trip computer
– Projector beam headlamps with auto light control
– Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity with steering wheel controls

The 2.0T Premium model adds or substitutes:
– Power driver’s seat
– 360-watt AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD-changer Infinity® premium audio system with 10 speakers including DVC subwoofer, eight-channel external amplifier, and diversity antenna
– Proximity Key with push-button start
– Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and compass
– Power tilt and slide sunroof
– Navigation system (mid-model year availability, pricing TBA)

The factory-tuned 2.0T Track model builds from the 2.0T Premium, adding/substituting:
– 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
– Unique Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
– Unique track-tuned suspension, higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace
– Torsen-type limited-slip differential
– Black leather bolster seats with high-friction red cloth insert
– Aluminum pedals
– Aero wipers
– Rear spoiler
– Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights
– Fog lamps
– Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)
– Navigation system (mid-model year availability, pricing TBA)
– Note: Automatic transmission not available with 2.0T Track

Later in the model year, a tuner-focused performance model, R-Spec, will arrive at Hyundai dealerships. Genesis Coupe R-Spec is the ultimate upgradeable, affordable, turbocharged rear-wheel drive performance platform. R-Spec equipment includes:
– 2.0-liter low-pressure turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 210 hp, an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph
– 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
– Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Brake Assist
– 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with staggered-width high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
– Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
– Track-tuned suspension (higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, front strut brace)
– Torsen-type limited-slip differential
– Quick-ratio hydraulic steering (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
– Tire Pressure Monitoring System
– Front, side, side air curtain air bags
– Active front head restraints
– Driver’s lumbar support
– Air conditioning
– Remote keyless entry with alarm
– Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
– Power windows (one-touch up and down), door locks and mirrors
– AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD audio system with six speakers
– iPod/ USB/Aux jack connectivity
– Projector beam headlamps
– Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)
– Note: Automatic transmission not available with R-Spec

GENESIS 3.8: 306 HORSEPOWER AND STANDARD LEATHER INTERIOR – A NEW BENCHMARK FOR PERFORMANCE AND REFINEMENT IN ITS CLASS

Standard equipment includes 2.0T equipment, and adds or substitutes:
– 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine with dual continuously variable valve timing delivering 306 hp and a top speed of 149 mph
– M6VR2 6-speed manual transmission (Optional: ZF 6HP19 6-speed electronic automatic with lockup torque converter and steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift Shiftronic® controls)
– Black leather seating surfaces
– Fully automatic temperature control
– Premium door sill plates
– Chrome front fascia accents
– Fog lights

In addition to 3.8 equipment, the 3.8 Grand Touring adds or substitutes:
– Unique brown leather seat interior environment
– Power driver’s seat
– Heated driver and passenger seat
– 360-watt AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD-changer Infinity® premium audio system with 10 speakers including DVC subwoofer, eight-channel external amplifier, and diversity antenna
– Proximity key with push-button start
– Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps
– Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and compass
– Heated mirrors with outside turn signal indicators
– Backup warning system
– Power tilt and slide sunroof
– Navigation system (mid-model year availability, pricing TBA)

The factory-tuned 3.8 Track model deletes the backup warning system and chrome front fascia accents from the Grand Touring model, and adds or substitutes:
– Black leather seating surfaces
– 19-inch gunmetal finish alloy wheels with staggered high-performance summer-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (225/40YR19 front, 245/40YR19 rear)
– Brembo® braking system with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, 42mm four-piston fixed front calipers (red), 13.0-inch ventilated rear rotors, 32mm+28mm four-piston fixed rear calipers (red)
– Unique track-tuned suspension, higher-rate coil springs, higher-control shock absorbers, 25mm front stabilizer bar, 22mm rear stabilizer bar, strut brace
– Torsen-type limited-slip differential
– Aluminum pedals
– Aero wipers
– Rear spoiler
– Black-out front lower fascia
– Lightweight temporary spare with aluminum wheel (T135/80D18)

Genesis Coupe will be available in nine exterior colors:
– Karussell White
– Bathurst Black
– Silverstone
– Nordschleife Gray
– Acqua Minerale Blue
– Tsukuba Red
– Mirabeau Blue
– Lime Rock Green
– Interlagos Yellow

Genesis Coupe features four different interior themes:
– Black environment, premium black cloth seats (2.0T, 2.0T Premium, R-Spec)
– Black environment, black leather-bolstered seats with high-friction red cloth insert (2.0T Track)
– Black environment, black leather seats (3.8, 3.8 Track)
– Black environment, saddle brown leather seats (3.8 Grand Touring)

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Sonata Recognized on Greener Choices 2009 List

Leave a reply

2009 Sonata recognized as an environmentally friendly vehicle by the America Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/05/2009 The 2009 Hyundai Sonata was recognized by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) on its annual “Greener Choices 2009” list for the fourth consecutive year. The Sonata will be featured in the ACEEE’s Green Book® Online, an annual consumers’ guide to environmentally-friendly cars and trucks.

“To be recognized for the fourth year in a row as a leader in fuel efficiency only reinforces Hyundai commitment to the environment and sustainability,” said Michael Deitz, manager, Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. “The refreshed, fuel-efficient Sonata brings consumers industry leading safety features and an award-winning interior at a price they can afford.”

The list is restricted to widely available gasoline-powered cars and light trucks with automatic transmissions, thus highlighting the widespread availability of environmentally friendly vehicle choices in many segments of the market.

The 2009 Sonata debuts Hyundai’s second-generation Theta four-cylinder engine. The Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration, while also improving fuel economy. In fact, the Sonata I4 is now more fuel-efficient than both Camry and Accord four-cylinder engines, delivering an impressive 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway fuel economy rating. The Sonata combines refined design, proven dependability, spirited performance and an extensive list of standard features to increase its appeal to a broader range of customers.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. In addition, the Hyundai Assurance Program is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months, and full-term upgrades are available.

ACEEE’s GREEN BOOK® ONLINE

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity, environmental protection, and energy security.

Hyundai Genesis Named 2009 Cars.com New Car of the Year

Leave a reply

WASHINGTON, D.C., 02/04/2009 As an encore to its 2009 North American Car of the Year honor, the all-new Hyundai Genesis took home the Cars.com New Car of the Year award, announced at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show. Hyundai’s new flagship Genesis sedan sets a new benchmark in the premium car category. Offering incredible value in these tough economic times, Genesis includes performance and luxury features typically found on vehicles costing thousands of dollars more.

“The Cars.com New Car of the Year honor validates the Genesis as a game-changing entrant in the luxury market,” said Michael Deitz, product development manager for the Genesis sedan. “Genesis offers a tremendous combination of performance, fuel economy, safety and technology features, and we’re thrilled that the Cars.com editorial team took all of this into account when making its decision.”

To choose the Cars.com New Car of the Year, the site’s expert reviewers drove and tested all the newly introduced and redesigned models for 2009. From that pool of about 60 cars, they chose their favorites based on features, driving quality, mileage and overall value.

“The 2009 Hyundai Genesis rivals the feeling of extravagance found in many full-size luxury vehicles,” said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief at Cars.com. “Our editors chose the Genesis for Cars.com’s 2009 New Car of the Year because we drove it — pondered the window sticker again — and our collective reaction was, ‘Wow.'”

In addition to great features, Hyundai’s generous 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, numerous standard features, good reliability and affordable price made the Genesis a clear winner for Cars.com’s editors. Other notable features include a quiet and luxurious cabin, V-6 and V-8 engines that are more powerful and efficient than many in competing models, and a smooth, responsive six-speed automatic transmission.

The Hyundai Genesis beat finalists from other top automakers including the 2009 Audi A4, 2009 Honda Fit, 2009 Mazda6, 2009 Nissan Murano and 2009 Subaru Forester.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. In addition, the Hyundai Assurance Program is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months from the purchase or lease date.

About Cars.com

Cars.com is the leading destination for online car shoppers, offering credible, easy-to-understand information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. With comprehensive pricing information, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and a large selection of new- and used-car inventory, Cars.com puts millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions.

Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo (NYSE: BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

About Hyundai

Four Hyundai Models Honored with Best Bet Awards from the Car Book 2009

Leave a reply

Hyundai’s Genesis, Accent, Entourage and Tucson Recognized for Exceeding the Safety and Performance Needs of the American Buyer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/04/2009 Hyundai continues to collect awards for its model lineup adding “BEST BETS” distinction for four of its vehicles in The Car Book 2009. Genesis, Accent, Entourage and Tucson all earned the distinction of “BEST BETS” from author Jack Gillis and the Center for Auto Safety, the nation’s leading auto safety advocacy group. For 29 years, The Car Book has selected vehicles for this honor based on how well they respond to the safety and performance needs of today’s consumer.

“Hyundai has made a significant contribution to improving the market choices for the American car buyer, demonstrated by the four cars chosen as ‘BEST BETS’ for 2009,” said Jack Gillis, author, The Car Book. “During these most challenging times for the auto industry, the fact that Hyundai vehicles have the quality and features most important to today’s car buyer is a testament to their desire to meet customer needs.”

The Car Book analyzes new vehicles each year to identify those making a significant contribution to improving the market. “BEST BETS” ratings designate The Car Book’s highest-rated cars in each of the size categories. Ratings are based on nine important categories: crash tests, safety features, rollover, preventative maintenance, repair costs, warranty, fuel economy, complaints and insurance costs, with the heaviest emphasis on safety.

“Having four cars named as ‘BEST BETS’ by The Car Book is a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into all the vehicles in the Hyundai lineup,” said Scott Margason, national manager of Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “We are extremely proud to receive these awards and look forward to continuing to develop vehicles that exceed the expectations of all our customers in safety, quality and performance.”

The winning Hyundai models received “BEST BETS” selection in each of the following categories:
Subcompact: Accent
Intermediate: Genesis
Small Sports Utility: Tucson
Minivan: Entourage

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai, Using a Safety Net, Wins Market Share

Leave a reply

Twenty-three years after it started selling cars in the United States, and in the midst of an industrywide slump that has pushed some competitors to the brink of bankruptcy, the Korean automaker Hyundai spent $3 million to tell Americans watching the Super Bowl how to say its name correctly.

“It’s ‘HUN-day,’ like Sunday,” said one of its two ads during the game.

Few carmakers have the luxury to be concerned about pronunciation these days. New-vehicle sales fell 37 percent last month, the industry’s worst January since 1963.

Then again, more car shoppers are saying Hyundai’s name. The company’s market share nearly doubled last month as sales rose 14 percent, the largest year-over-year increase that any big automaker has posted in the United States since last May.

One reason for the jump in January, after a dismal December, appears to be Hyundai’s new marketing strategy of promising to let buyers return their vehicles, at no cost in most cases and with no penalty to their credit rating, if they lose their job or income within a year.

“To their credit, they struck at the core of what’s bothering people, and that’s obviously uncertainty,” said Jeremy Anwyl, the chief executive of Edmunds.com, a Web site that gives car-buying advice to consumers. “It’s just the fear and the uncertainty that’s holding people back.”

Mr. Anwyl said the program, called Hyundai Assurance, would probably lead to similar deals from some rivals after they see that Hyundai’s offer is resonating with consumers.

“It gives them a whole new audience — people for whom it would have never popped up on their shopping list,” he said.

Sales of the Hyundai Sonata, a full-size sedan that costs less than $20,000, surged 85 percent in January, making it one of the country’s top-selling vehicles. And Hyundai sold more passenger cars last month than Chrysler, which has four times as many dealers.

“Hyundai is the right franchise for the times right now,” said Rick Case, who in February 1986 opened the first two Hyundai dealerships in the country and now owns six Hyundai stores, in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. “With this economy, a lot of people don’t want to be seen in Mercedeses and BMWs and Lexuses.”

While 2009 has started well for Hyundai, the final months of 2008 were rather turbulent. The company named its fifth American chief executive in five years. And from September to December, sales at Hyundai and its Kia subsidiary plunged 37 percent, more than any other mass-market automaker except Chrysler.

The company lost many potential buyers when most banks stopped approving loans for customers with subprime credit.

“It really wasn’t something that we had faced before, and I don’t want to live through another fourth quarter like that again,” said David L. Zuchowski, Hyundai’s vice president for sales.

Last fall Hyundai began testing the idea of a return policy rather than simply piling more discounts onto its already low-price vehicles. The program covers every buyer of a leased or financed vehicle who involuntarily loses a job; becomes physically disabled; loses a driver’s license for medical reasons; is transferred to another country; is self-employed and files for bankruptcy; or dies in an accident.

The guarantee covers the difference between the value of the car and the amount the buyer owes, or negative equity, up to a maximum of $7,500.

“It doesn’t matter how many zillion dollars you put in rebates, or what A.P.R. you give them,” Mr. Zuchowski said. “If people are worried about their job, they don’t really care and they’re just not going to get off the fence. But we had to walk a really fine line. We wanted to make sure we didn’t come off as panicked or distressed.”

Mr. Zuchowski declined to reveal the cost of the program but said it was negligible, especially weighed against the expected increase in sales.

In mid-January, Hyundai had another boost when its first luxury sedan, the Genesis, which costs $15,000 to $20,000 less than many competing models, was named North American car of the year at the Detroit auto show.

Mr. Zuchowski said Hyundai can benefit from merely putting itself in front of American consumers, hence the Super Bowl ads and its sponsorship of the Academy Awards this month — after General Motors backed out.

The company has 7 percent of the market in the United States, where it has one plant, but last year it became the world’s fifth-largest automaker, ahead of Honda, Nissan and Chrysler.

“A lot of people still think we’re this little import that builds cars in corrugated tin shacks in South Korea,” Mr. Zuchowski said.

By NICK BUNKLEY
New York Times

Genesis helps to put new face on Hyundai

Leave a reply

Last week, Hyundai scored big at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The all-new Genesis premium sedan drove away with top honors when it was named 2009 North American Car of the Year. A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists evaluated each new car introduced last year and selected the 2009 Hyundai Genesis as the best new model.

But Hyundai wasn’t done making news as they were also fielding questions on their Hyundai Assurance program. Buy a new Hyundai, lose your job or the ability to pay due to a covered life changing event, and Hyundai will allow you to return the car and walk away from your loan obligation. This new program is for new vehicles financed or leased through participating dealers for up to 12 months. At the show, rival manufacturers couldn’t write down the details fast enough. Look for similar programs to pop up at a non-Hyundai dealer near you soon.

So, Hyundai has an award-winning luxury sedan and a program to help convince you to buy it… but do you want to? Actually, yes, you do. That is unless you have a hang up about the Hyundai logo on the hood. Apparently some do as I noticed the change in some friends’ and co-workers’ reception to the car when they found out who made it. Prior to my reveal, some thought it was a Lexus, and others thought it was an Acura or even a Mercedes-Benz. In this writer’s opinion, the styling borrows a little from all three of those manufacturers, but it’s the right blend. There is just enough chrome, the wheel/tire package looks good, and the proportions are just about spot on.

Genesis is based on a new rear-wheel-drive platform being introduced to this country. Hyundai engineers gave Genesis a balanced 52/48 front-to-rear weight distribution to even out the handling. The rear-wheel-drive layout allowed engineers to move the car’s front wheels further upstream with the goal being class-leading handling and steering performance. However, I didn’t like the steering as it felt somewhat numb and slow, but I’ve experienced this before in competitive cars so Genesis keeps up with some of the Joneses. The same can be said for the pillow-like boulevard ride that has very little “sport” in the handling department and opts for the full luxury treatment. Nothing wrong with the ride, just don’t expect BMW levels of precision handling and road feel. It was nice to see that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and traction control are standard issue, and this is especially useful in the slop we’ve experienced this winter. The ABS performed well, and the car kept its head up during hard braking.

The 235/50R18 tires on the V-8 model release some squeal while cornering, and I did not push this big car that hard. A multilink suspension featuring coil springs and anti-roll bars fore and aft consists of numerous aluminum pieces to help lower the car’s unsprung mass, and as I stated earlier the ride drifts to the softer side on smooth pavement. The shocks are able to adjust the ride on rough surfaces to keep the transition less jarring.

A premium sedan should be supported by a premium engine, and Genesis does not disappoint. Hyundai’s all-new Tau 4.6-liter V-8 engine produces 375 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai saddles its high horse with a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control. Hyundai claims that this powertrain combination will launch Genesis to 60 mph in less than six seconds. The Genesis‘ V-8 horsepower hand stacks comparable standard engines found in the Lexus GS460, BMW 750i, Audi A8 and Infiniti M45, and it has more horsepower per liter than any of its V-8 competitors. For a 3,800-pound large sedan the EPA city/highway fuel economy is a very respectable 17/25 mpg. During testing the engine was quiet, smooth and provided instant response. No lack of power or coarseness detected. Premium fuel is recommended.

The second chapter of the Genesis story is the interior/luxury amenities, and once again, this is a good read. Hyundai carved out a spacious interior led by a very rich looking (and feeling) dash. The dash design spreads out the controls and luxury features nicely and logically. The Driver Information System is accessed via multifunction knob that works various functions including the nav system, Voice Recognition, Bluetooth, the optional backup camera screen and the standard satellite/HD stereo. Auxiliary USB and iPod inputs allow you to fully control and charge iPods directly from the head unit.

In addition to the leather-wrapped dash, soft cow hides surround you on the door panels and console lid. The heated and cooled driver’s seat is a real plus from Hyundai. The seats were extremely adjustable and comfortable for long and short drives. Bonus points are awarded for the power glass sunroof with tilt and slide, power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, integrated memory system, Lexicon 14-speaker surround sound audio system, six-disc CD changer, illuminated scuff plates, wood-trimmed leather steering wheel, electrochromic auto-dimming interior rearview mirror with Homelink and compass, power rear sunshade, standard proximity key and gimmicky push-button starter. An automatic windshield defogger with humidity sensor and rain-sensing wipers spring into action as needed.

Rear seat stretch-out room and headroom was limolike for three passengers. Cargo space is big with nearly 16 cubic-feet of space. I was also impressed by how quiet and solid Genesis felt. I’ve never experienced a Hyundai that was this silent, rattle-free and well-textured.

The key to this car is value. The V-6 model starts right around $33,000 including destination. The V-8 test car had a starting price of around $38,000 with destination. Add the technology package, and you’ve got a very well-equipped luxury sedan for around $42,000. This is thousands less than the established luxury leaders, and you have Hyundai’s powertrain warranty and the new Assurance program to help sweeten the deal.

Hyundai’s new flagship sedan has the capabilities and luxury features that elevate it to premium status without the premium price. In today’s economy, that’s a pretty competitive advantage.

BY JEFF TAYLOR
Chicago Sun Times

Hyundai Azera not only luxurious, but also affordable

Leave a reply

(The Brunswick News Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 30–Hyundai is officially on the map as one of the best car companies in America.

The company solidified its spot with the release last year of the highly anticipated Genesis, a hallmark of luxury from an auto maker known for economy cars.

Before the Genesis though, Hyundai was already breaking into the luxury market with the Azera.

To be fair, the Azera is not on the same level as the Genesis, but that is by design. It is a more affordable car, while offering a very similar driving experience.

In its place as a car around $30,000 — putting it right in line with cars like the Maxima, Accord, and Camry, the perennial powerhouses of foreign sedans — the Azera thrives.

Our tester was 2009 Limited model from Carl Gregory Hyundai Chrysler and Dodge.

Its magnificently appointed interior was wrapped in black leather and accented with wood grain door handles and steering wheel.

The beautiful touch screen DVD navigation system fit perfectly into the dash and was very easy to use.

High quality dash components were a far cry from the plastic pieces in the Hyundais of old.

The overall feel of the Azera’s interior was one of sophisticated elegance. It felt more like a Lexus than a Hyundai.

Under the hood lay a silky smooth 3.8 liter V6 that pushes 263 horsepower and 257 pound feet of torque.

It was coupled with a five speed automatic transmission with manumatic stick mode that made driving the peppy sedan a blast.

Off the line, it ran through first gear quickly and pulled hard through second gear. Midrange acceleration from 40 mph was still strong and there was never a jerky moment.

The cold air intake system that comes with the engine is normally an after-market product to add horsepower. It also adds a nice sound to the engine that is subtle but very sporty.

The Azera gets 26 miles per gallon on the highway in both the Limited and GLS models. The GLS is a 3.3 liter V6 with 234 horsepower.

Adding to the sleek package is a set of 17-inch alloy wheels that are stopped by disc brakes on every wheel.

By the end of our test drive, it was safe to say that the Azera is a very attractive and powerful car that is not only luxurious, but also affordable.

Our tester tipped scales at $33,540, which considering the options and quality of the car, is a steal. Couple that with Hyundai’s award winning warranty, and you have an irresistible package.

Engine Specs: 3.3L V6 with 234 hp 3.8L V6 with 263 hp.

Cool Options: Navigation and a great V6.

Why Buy It: It is the perfect car for affordable luxury.

Prices: MSRP starting at $24,970 for the GLS Our price $33,540.

To see more of The Brunswick News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/.

The Brunswick News, Ga.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 – Short Take Road Test

Leave a reply

Lighter and more spry than its big brother.

On a street in Ann Arbor, a college-age Wolverine yelled at a C/D staffer getting into this Hyundai Genesis 3.8. “Is that a May-back?” he hollered, mispronouncing the name of the Benz supercruiser.

Without missing a beat, the staffer replied loudly, “No, and it cost less than your Tour-egg.” The student struggled, like most, to place the borrowed exterior styling elements of this Korean newcomer. His mental clock having expired, the kid retreated toward campus. Little did he know he was drooling over one of the best-kept secrets in the luxury-sedan market, the six-cylinder Genesis.

With a base price of $33,000, the Genesis 3.8 undercuts similarly sized rear-drive cars from Europe and Japan. Likewise, it costs almost $4600 less than a Chrysler 300C, although the 3.8 can be had for about the same money as a Pontiac G8 GT. Either of those will get you V-8 power, but neither will deliver a level of luxury equal to that of the Genesis 3.8. We highly recommend the $3000 Premium Plus package. It includes a supple leather dash and a 14-speaker audio system, two options neither of the aforementioned American alternatives offers.

Then again, the G8 and the 300C will outrun this Genesis at a drag strip. Still, the 290-hp Korean is no slouch, getting from 0 to 60 in six seconds flat. In fact, that’s the identical time we got with a V-8–powered Genesis 4.6 [October 2008], and the overachieving V-6 a Genesis also matched the 375-hp V-8 model through the quarter-mile, at 14.5 seconds. The power deficit of the 3.8 model’s V-6 is only evident on the highway, where wide-open-throttle passes leave the driver yearning for more.

The EPA says the 3.8 V-6 is good for 18 mpg in the city (1 mpg better than the V-8) and 27 on the highway (2 mpg more). In our hands, it managed a decent 20 mpg.

And consider this: The 3.8’s ride is as good as, if not better than, the 4.6’s. The V-6 not only experiences less suspension crash than the V-8 but feels lighter and more spry. That is most likely because the 3845-pound V-6 model weighs some 200-plus pounds less than the V-8 model.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $36,000 (base price: $33,000)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 231 cu in, 3778cc
Power (SAE net): 290 bhp @ 6200 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 264 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 115.6 in Length: 195.9 in Width: 74.4 in Height: 58.3 in
Curb weight: 3845 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.6 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 32.4 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 14.5 sec @ 97 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.86 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/27 mpg
C/D observed: 20 mpg

BY K.C. COLWELL
CarandDriver.com

Hyundai Expands HD Radio™ Presence; Drivers to Experience Ultimate In-Vehicle Audio Entertainment

Leave a reply

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 01/28/2009 Hyundai Motor America announced today that it is extending its commitment to offering factory-installed digital HD Radio technology beyond the Genesis by launching the technology on additional vehicles in the 2011 model year. The HD Radio system allows drivers to receive digital transmissions from local radio stations with crystal-clear sound quality. HD Radio technology also allows radio stations to broadcast alternative programming on the same frequency, and this programming can be received with Hyundai’s HD Radio receiver.

Today, HD Radio technology is factory-installed standard on Hyundai Genesis models equipped with navigation systems. For the 2010 model year, Hyundai will expand the availability of HD Radio on Genesis to select models without the navigation feature. And the 2011 Hyundai lineup will feature additional models with available HD Radio technology.

“HD Radio technology is another example of how Hyundai enhances the in-vehicle experience for our customers,” said Scott Margason, national manager, Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. “With our state-of-the-art audio systems, Hyundai is quickly becoming an in-vehicle entertainment leader.”

Developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation and supported by the leaders of the broadcasting, consumer electronics, retail and automotive industries, HD Radio technology is available to more than 84 percent of Americans. More than 1,800 HD Radio stations are already on the air plus over 900 new multicast FM channels. HD Radio broadcasts offer listeners the quality, choice and interactivity that consumers have come to expect from digital technologies, including:
– HD2/HD3 multicast channels, which dramatically expand the amount and diversity of radio content by allowing multiple channels of programming to be broadcast over a single FM frequency.
– Data services, such as text information (e.g., artist names and song titles).
– Static-free, crystal-clear reception on both AM and FM.
– No subscription fee.

HD Radio technology, along with a state-of-the-art Lexicon audio system, debuted with Hyundai in July 2008, when the all-new Genesis sedan reached dealerships across the country. Hyundai aims to shatter premium automobile paradigms with the introduction of this new flagship vehicle, which was named 2009 North American Car of the Year. With capabilities and features comparable to the world’s leading premium sports sedans, Genesis is offered at a starting price of $33,000, offering first-class quality and style at a more affordable price point.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA