Hyundai Genesis Coupe Photo Gallery

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Road Test: 2009 Hyundai Genesis

It's all about the numbers. Longer and wider, with a longer wheelbase and shorter turning radius than BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Lexus ES. Lower coefficient of drag, 0.27, and better fuel economy than most. A stiffer body than those of the Bimmer, Benz, and the Lexus LS 430 (Hyundai sees much of the Lexus range as its competition). Its optional Tau V-8 is "best-in-class," making more horses (375) than V-8s in the 550i, E550, GS 460, or Infiniti M45 and does 0-to-60 mph in well under six seconds.

On Namyang's tight handling course, the Genesis's suspension handles transitions reasonably well. Push it hard, though, and the front tires scrub into the pavement....The car is biased considerably toward understeer, and there's no steering with the throttle, electronic stability control on or off. As with most any Lexus or Mercedes, you can't turn ESP off completely. The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering is a bit numb and on the light side, offering less feedback than an Infiniti M35 provided for comparison, and requiring small corrections on the banks of Namyang's high-speed oval.

Source: AutoCrave

2009 Hyundai Genesis 700 Units Presold

The Hyundai Genesis sedan won’t launch in the U.S. until later this summer but Hyundai says that dealers have already presold 700 units of its luxury car along with more than 20,000 customers who have expressed interest in the car. Hyundai will spend more than $80 million on a marketing campaign for the new Genesis - the most it has spent to launch any vehicle in the U.S.

Rich appointments, rear-wheel-drive, a choice of powerful engines, and a starting price of $30k is a good story to sell customers on, and the Genesis sedan is being looked at as the halo car in Hyundai's lineup. That helps justify spending the most launch money on any Hyundai ever, even though only 30,000 Genesis sedans are scheduled to be sold per year. Genesis marketing begins with a 15-city tour involving about 100 sedans, and will include television ads plus the Internet and plenty of viral events. We're very anxious to see if Hyundai can deliver a legitimate Lexus GS competitor for over $10,000 less..

Source: TheyReviewed

2009 Model Hyundai i800 Minivan For Europe Launched

Hyundai has unveiled the Hyundai i800, its full-size 8-seater diesel powered minivan for Europe. i800 had made its debut last year as Hyundai H1 Starex in Korean home market. It will go on sale in UK from 20th June 2008 onwards with a base price tag of £19,495 ($38,000).

Tony Whitehorn, managing director of Hyundai UK said: “anyone wanting to carry eight people in car-like comfort currently has to take two cars – or spend a lot more than £20,000. We think the i800 will prove massively popular with families and businesses who need to move people in style.”

The 2009 model Hyundai i800 features three rows of seats with the two last rows capable of a 60:40 split-fold and recline while the centre row can slide forwards or backwards. It comes with a pair of sliding doors which allow easy access to all the rear seats. i800 has an ability to carry 8 adults comfortably with 851 liters of boot space remaining, which is almost double of what you get in an average estate wagon. Now this miracle happens due to large exterior size with length measuring 5.125 metres and the width of 1.920 metres.

The Euro spec i800 is powered by Hyundai’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder CRDi diesel engine which is intercooled and features a variable-geometry turbo. It develops 170 hp of horsepower and 392Nm of torque and the power is transferred to the rear-wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. A lower powered, lower spec version for more industrial usage will come later at a cheaper price.

Safety features in the new Hyundai van includes rear-wheel-drive handling backed up by ESP and traction control systems plus dual airbags. In addition, it comes with electronic reversing sensors as standard and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. According to Hyundai, its i800 is capable of achieving a combined fuel economy of 33.2 mpg. Thanks to a 75 litre tank, it means the i800 driver could go more than 560 miles between fill ups.

Source: CarNoise

2009 Model Euro Spec Hyundai i800 Mini-Van Photos & Pictures

Hyundai To Phase Out Tiburon

This year is the last for the Tiburon two-door hatch as it won't be produced for the 2009 model year. But the rear-wheel drive Genesis is not a replacement for the long-serving (since 1997) Tiburon coupe is what Hyundai points out. New Genesis coupe is due to hit dealerships in early 2009 as 2010 model, a time when Tiburon won't be around.

John Krafcik, product development vice president for Hyundai Motor America said,“We are seriously looking at a small front-wheel-drive coupe to replace the Tiburon, but I can’t say when that will happen,”. Adding further, Krafcik said the replacement likely would be similar to the Veloster coupe concept first shown at the Seoul auto show in April 2007. Bearing a bit of a resemblance to Kia’s Cee’d the fwd Veloster coupe was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission.

So now it can be safely concluded that the new Veloster-based car would be the spiritual heir to the Tiburon legacy.

Hyundai Tiburon & Veloster Coupe Concept Photos & pictures