Genesis 3.8 vs 4.6 throttle response(just test drove 3.8 and R-spec)

[mikec]

A couple things factor into the off-the line feel:
a) The V6 cars have different final drive (differential) ratio compared to the V8s; the final drive ratio is higher numerically. Which means the V6 cars have a little extra torque multiplication in the differential to compensate for the lower V6 engine torque. The trade-off is V6 cars run at a higher RPM for a given MPH. Because of the final drive ratio difference, the V6 cars have similar 0-60 times to the 4.6 liter V8s; being a couple hundred pounds lighter helps the V6 cars too. But once rolling at speed, the V8's higher horsepower struts its stuff and there is a noticeable difference in passing acceleration between the V6 and 4.6 V8. The 5.0 should be even more dramatic.

b) the Genesis sedan has a fairly aggressive stability and traction control system. The "ECS OFF" button on the dash doesn't turn the system off either; that switch seems to make the system only slightly less aggresive. This electronic nanny really limits engine output at the barest hint of wheelspin. From a stand-still, engine power is also limited to reduce stresses on the driveline.

mike c.

 

[Gunkk]

Turning off ESC via button (not fuse pull) in my 4.6 gives it a lot more jump off the line. Note: I have the 6 speed tranny which did not have the lag issues of the 2012 8 speed pre-TCU-update.

My sticky Pilot Super Sports also avoid wheel spin quite well in wet and dry

 

[mtrot]

A couple things factor into the off-the line feel:
a) The V6 cars have different final drive (differential) ratio compared to the V8s; the final drive ratio is higher numerically. Which means the V6 cars have a little extra torque multiplication in the differential to compensate for the lower V6 engine torque. The trade-off is V6 cars run at a higher RPM for a given MPH. Because of the final drive ratio difference, the V6 cars have similar 0-60 times to the 4.6 liter V8s; being a couple hundred pounds lighter helps the V6 cars too. But once rolling at speed, the V8's higher horsepower struts its stuff and there is a noticeable difference in passing acceleration between the V6 and 4.6 V8. The 5.0 should be even more dramatic.

b) the Genesis sedan has a fairly aggressive stability and traction control system. The "ECS OFF" button on the dash doesn't turn the system off either; that switch seems to make the system only slightly less aggresive. This electronic nanny really limits engine output at the barest hint of wheelspin. From a stand-still, engine power is also limited to reduce stresses on the driveline.

mike c.

Thanks for this info. Yeah, I think overall I'd rather have the lower rpms on the highway with the V8 final drive ratio. And it's also probably a good thing, for me with my heavy right foot, to have the protection against excessive stress on the driveline, which I can understand when Hyundai is providing a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

 

[zielritter]

Turning off ESC via button (not fuse pull) in my 4.6 gives it a lot more jump off the line. Note: I have the 6 speed tranny which did not have the lag issues of the 2012 8 speed pre-TCU-update.

My sticky Pilot Super Sports also avoid wheel spin quite well in wet and dry

Does anyone have a TSB number for this TCU update? I'm interested in looking into it.

 

[GJEMD]

I drive a 2010 4.6 with the ZF 6 speed. My previous car was an Infiniti M45.
The Genesis 4.6 is the smoothest drive train I've owned. That includes BMW 7
and MB. I have driven the 3.8 Genesis 8 speed as loaner twice. I found the "seat of the pants" torque not even close to the 4.6. Acceleration of the 3.8 was not bad but somewhat "tractorish" compared to the 4.6.
I ave 18 mpg in town and 26 mpg on the road. 87 octane provides the smoothest operation and best fuel efficiency. 93 octane makes it a beast 0-60 and 50-85 roll on is amazing. The exhaust tips burn cleaner with 87.
Soot up quickly with 93

 

[Gunkk]

Does anyone have a TSB number for this TCU update? I'm interested in looking into it.

Lots of info here along with a lot of chaff, but I know the campaign is mentioned within:

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=8604

Start at the last page and read backwards, I think it's a couple pages in from the end.

 

[mtrot]

Thanks for all the replies here! Well, I drove 500 miles yesterday and picked up a used 2012 4.6 with only 3500 miles on it! Throttle response seems to be similar to the 3.8 and 5.0 that I had driven earlier, so I guess that is just the standard drivetrain mapping Hyundai uses.

 

[mtrot]

I drive a 2010 4.6 with the ZF 6 speed. My previous car was an Infiniti M45.
The Genesis 4.6 is the smoothest drive train I've owned. That includes BMW 7
and MB. I have driven the 3.8 Genesis 8 speed as loaner twice. I found the "seat of the pants" torque not even close to the 4.6. Acceleration of the 3.8 was not bad but somewhat "tractorish" compared to the 4.6.
I ave 18 mpg in town and 26 mpg on the road. 87 octane provides the smoothest operation and best fuel efficiency. 93 octane makes it a beast 0-60 and 50-85 roll on is amazing. The exhaust tips burn cleaner with 87.
Soot up quickly with 93

Wow, interesting info, and surprising to me. I would have thought the 93 octane gas would provide higher mpg.

But you may be right, from my two day's experience. When I picked up the car, the dealer had filled the tank with regular unleaded, and I drove it about 350 miles yesterday, and today and according to the control panel readout, I was getting about 26 to 27mpg average.

Then, today, I filled it up with 93 octane and continued on my trip. I noticed right away that the average seemed to have dropped about 2 to 3mpg. It also seems to be even more reticent to downshift and start accelerating. I did pass several vehicles on the highway today, and it is amazing how fast I saw 90mph! However, I didn't pass many cars yesterday, so I can't compare.

I'd be interested to know what octane fuel some of the rest of you with 4.6 engines are using, and what your experiences have been. It seems like the extra 10hp you are supposed to be able to get out of premium gas may not be all that worth it.

Finally, has anybody tried "Plus"(89 octane) gas, and how did it compare to 87 or 89 octane? Thanks, all!

 

[Frogg]

I hate this problem. It makes the ride jerky at times. I can feel the pedal going down but I am not moving until boom and my head goes back.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

Thanks for all the replies here! Well, I drove 500 miles yesterday and picked up a used 2012 4.6 with only 3500 miles on it! Throttle response seems to be similar to the 3.8 and 5.0 that I had driven earlier, so I guess that is just the standard drivetrain mapping Hyundai uses.

Congrats, bud! I think you will quickly get used to the car's behavior. I don't know of any car that doesn't have unique "features".

As generally noted in this thread, no Genny is going to be a neck-snapper. I just don't think they designed it with that in mind. Even a Mercedes or BMW sedan isn't designed to have that kind of initial grunt in my experience. Most of that style of off-the-line torque is the territory of American sports cars, IMHO. (Anyone notice that the super-engines in the Corvette are still OHV? There's a reason for that beyond just reliability and "inexpense".)

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[WowCool]

A little sidestep, my 09 Azera had such a delicate throttle response that wheel
squeal could be invoked just pulling out of driveway..After a few weeks my right foot became very very gentle, on odd occasions it forgot to be delicate and "Off" we went..
Fly by Wire is always going to be a little shall we say different.. Though agreed it should not be.. But hey the "G" is a hell Of A Car..

 

[Billfz1]

Congrats, bud! I think you will quickly get used to the car's behavior. I don't know of any car that doesn't have unique "features".

As generally noted in this thread, no Genny is going to be a neck-snapper. I just don't think they designed it with that in mind. Even a Mercedes or BMW sedan isn't designed to have that kind of initial grunt in my experience. Most of that style of off-the-line torque is the territory of American sports cars, IMHO. (Anyone notice that the super-engines in the Corvette are still OHV? There's a reason for that beyond just reliability and "inexpense".)

I drove the 3.8 GDI (2012) and the 4.6 (2012) on the same day. I noticed several differences. First I like the overall performance of the V-8 much better. I don't flog the car around town either. The V-6 is an excellent performer, but if you are really after speed and accelleration you must run the V-6 to near red line. Most drivers never use the full capabilities of their cars so for them I would suggest the V-6 with the Tecnology package. I thing I really like about the V-8 is overall feel. The car is EFFORTLESS in most driving. It runs like their is an electric motor in there, but a very powerful one! I have motorcycles even a large one and NO CAR short of a dragster is going to impress me much. 0-60 about 2.5 seconds or less. what I want in my car is performance and luxury. The 4.6 give me exactly that. It hauls the freight well when I want it to, ( and I don't feel there is much difference from the V-6) and it does it in a relaxed way. The V-6 seems very "busy" when going fast. It does it just fine, but it is like a lazy horse, you have to spur it a bit to get it going. These cars are intended for grand touring, fast enough for fun, and lots of it but will all creature comforts. In my car I want to be pampered a bit. If I wanted maximum performance I'd buy a Corvette. As it is I want a car were I can hear the excellent stereo rather than the tire whine. Both Gennys do that very well. I like the R-spec, and that may be my next car, and there is a quite noticeable performance increase, but I am very happy with my current V-8.
Bill

 

[20124.6]

i came from a 06 dodge charger daytona that had 350 horses stock and with my mods it was around 400hp. Now the charger felt like it was pulling stronger than the rspec, but when i went out and ran speeds at certain distances i was suprised that the rspec was destroying the charger. didnt feel like it but it was. the torque isnt that great in the genesis, but it is meant to be a luxury car. getting onto freeway at certain distances the charger was 80-85 mph while the rspec was close to 100mph.

 

[JasTheAce]

The chargers for some reason either have a very lazy transmission or a lot of drive train loss. I came from a g8 which beats the charger every time with the same hp/weight so I can assure you the feeling of the genesis being less quick is in your head. It's hard to compare such a raw engine (American v8) to a silky smooth v8 in the genesis.

I describe the two experiences like this...
The American v8 Is the frat kid. Loud, strong, and a little rough around the edges.
The genesis v8 is his 30 year old brother who is just as strong, but quiet and refined.

 

[20124.6]

all my friends say the same thing about the charger, felt like it pulled harder than the genesis. a car can be quicker without feeling like it is, it is all in the torque of a vehicle. the charger was 400lb ft torque stock not sure what it was with the add ons. with my add ons i did beat g8's but stock I am sure you are right the G8 had 15 more hp and less weight than the charger