Hyundai to unveil Concept Genesis Premium Sports
Sedan
Hyundai will present the world debut of Concept
Genesis during a press conference at the New York International Auto
Show on April 4. The concept car heralds the future architecture and
design of a rear-wheel drive premium sports sedan scheduled to grace the
Hyundai lineup in 2008.
“Concept Genesis extends our product range into
new territories from a performance, design and packaging perspective,”
said Steve Wilhite, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America.
“When it arrives in 2008 it will catapult Hyundai into competition
against some potent rivals, and Genesis is up for the challenge.”
Concept Genesis rides on a prototype of Hyundai’s all-new rear-wheel
drive platform, signaling the brand’s desire to broaden its appeal to
discerning driving enthusiasts. Concept Genesis is powered by Hyundai’s
newly developed Tau DOHC 32-valve V-8 powertrain. Concept Genesis marks
the beginning of premium performance for the Hyundai brand.
“Concept Genesis is a manifestation of
Hyundai’s extraordinary desire to deliver world-class products across
all model segments,” said John Krafcik, vice president, Product
Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “With
Genesis, we’ve got a unique product position -- an all-new, highly
capable, rear-wheel drive platform; a high-performance powertrain; and
premium, progressive design – all at a price starting well under
$30,000.”
.
Concept Genesis features a rear-wheel-drive
architecture, its first application in a U.S. Hyundai model. Rear-wheel
drive provides a 53:47 front/rear weight distribution for optimal
handling as well as more refined steering characteristics. Concept
Genesis’ premium handling and steering performance is further controlled
by Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the industry’s most important new
safety technology. Hyundai leads all popular car brands in the standard
application of ESC, with more than 70 percent of 2007 Hyundai sales
volume featuring this life-saving technology as standard equipment. ESC
continually analyzes road speed, steering input, throttle position,
lateral yaw rate and other factors. An onboard microprocessor determines
if the vehicle is starting to understeer or oversteer, and can brake
appropriate wheels and reduce engine power to keep the vehicle safely on
course.
Utilizing ultra high-tensile steel in critical
areas in the unibody provides Concept Genesis with a 12-14 percent
higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body-in-white weight than
the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This stiffer, lighter,
larger body provides a terrific foundation for world-class dynamics and
lowering noise levels inside the vehicle.
Tau v-8 powertrain
Adding to the Concept Genesis’
performance factor is the all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine mated
to a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual
control and a limited-slip differential. The Tau delivers well
over 300 horsepower to fit the demands of performance-oriented
consumers. This powertrain combination will launch Genesis to 60
miles per hour in well under six seconds.
The Tau engine is built with flexibility for
the future. Future Tau variants may offer larger displacement, forced
induction options and other technology enhancements.
INNOVATIVE AND SOPHISTICATED SPORT-TUNED
SUSPENSION
Genesis features a suspension design that is
among the most sophisticated and refined anywhere, at any price. The
front five-link suspension features upper and lower arms linking the
front wheels to the chassis. This artfully articulated arrangement
creates a virtual king pin axis which dramatically reduces unwanted
kickback through the steering wheel as well as improving responsiveness.
The five-link independent rear suspension is equally sophisticated,
enabling precise suspension geometry for an incredible level of ride and
handling prowess. The capabilities of the advanced front and
rear-suspension are maximized through driver selectable dynamic settings
allowing tailored ride and handling characteristics according to need …
or desire.
MODERN DESIGN Genesis’ design is a
progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drive sports
sedan. To match its dynamic powertrain capabilities, Genesis
combines strong, sculpted forms which integrate precise details,
natural materials and innovative lighting to provide a
well-crafted, premium design aesthetic.
Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on
delivering leading safety technology, Concept Genesis boasts
world class active and passive safety features to both prevent
accidents, and maximize the well being of its occupants in the
event of a collision.
The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of
standardizing key life-saving active safety technology such as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control, eight airbags
and active headrests.
Concept Genesis is brought to a halt by large
four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake
Distribution (EBD). The 12.6-inch front rotors have single-piston
floating calipers and the rear brakes feature 12.4-inch rotors with
single-pistons.
