I get your point, but I think it's an overstatement. If would-be Japanese sales are all they're shooting for they're in some trouble. Acura and
Infiniti aren't exactly moving a lot of product, and as previously mentioned Lexus' midsize competitor keeps up with the 5.0 in V6 trim, largely killing the price advantage of the Hyundai.
Sales of Japanese midsize sedans have fallen in part due to the entry of the Koreans into the luxury market.
And it really doesn't really matter if the GS can keep up w/ the 5.0 - the vast majority of luxury buyers aren't enthusiasts.
Toyota totally chased after the 5 Series (well, the previous 5 Series) w/ the 4G GS and yet despite much better reviews from auto enthusiast pubs, sales of the 4G GS have dropped considerably compared to its predecessor.
And in chasing (the ghost of) BMW, the GS is based on a stretched version of the platform underpinning the IS, whereas BMW went the other way w/ the current 5 Series and based its platform on a shortened version of the 7 Series.
Hence, the GS, like the CTS (which is based on a stretched version of the ATS
Alpha platform) have gotten accolades for their handling prowess, but in turn, have gotten dinged for somewhat cramped rear passenger room which the Genesis has gobs of.
In contrast, the Genesis is at the larger end of the spectrum for the segment and that size has costs when it comes to weight and the laws of physics.
Even if I were to concede your point completely, the '15 Genesis still can't run with the M56. As the only Japanese V8 midsize, and the only naturally aspirated competitor that doesn't speak well either.
Nonetheless, Hyundai will sell a lot more of the 5.0 Genesis than
Infiniti will the M56.
This isn't true as a generality. The M56 was released as a new body style (so was the smaller G37), and the new CTS vsport was as well. I suspect that the "FI revolution" with the Germans had more to do with Euro regulations about gas mileage and emissions (as well as Euro fuel prices).
Didn't say it was always the case - but it occurs more often than not (the 3G M, for instance, had a mid-cycle upgrade to the V6 powerplant); but in times when the engines are significantly behind the competition, the new model will debut w/ new up to date engine (the new LS will debut w/ new engines).
I mean, really, it wasn't that long ago when Hyundai upgraded the 3.8 V6 and bumped up the displacement for the Tau from 4.6 to 5.0.
And furthermore, if Hyundai is planning to bring a FI Tau motor to the market, they probably want to launch it w/ the new Equus before sticking it in the Genesis.
You don't think Lexus and
Infiniti are trying to sell the GS and M in Europe?
And it's not like mileage and emissions regs, much less fuel prices, are any better in Japan.
This is about the only argument I have any real sympathy for. I totally agree they need a bulletproof one before they release one, but they need to get to work and make that bulletproof one.
This is also why Hyundai didn't launch the Genesis w/ AWD.
The Tau has been around for a while, and Hyundai has been turbocharging for a while. It's time to combine them. TBH I'd also be fine with a 5/60 powertrain specifically for Rspec high-performance FI models. That would probably go over better if it were part of a separate N (or whatever they call it) division.
And how many years have Lexus and
Infiniti been around w/ their V8s and they have yet to do FI.
Really think you are expecting too much, too soon from Hyundai (and they are known for moving quickly).
And Hyundai will very likely beat the Japanese to the punch in doing FI for their V6 and possibly, the V8.
I am becoming more convinced, Hyundai will take the luxury route rather than the sport route with this model. Those who are the target buyers for the Genesis, those moving up market, will value luxury items more than HP, 0-60 times or G force ratings. I think attempts at half-executed sport versions will hurt the cars image, where the luxury slant is easier to compete with, as they have just done. The bar to beat the germans on electronics, luxury and cost of ownership is easier to win - challenging cars with decades of proven motorsports experience and history is a higher mountain to climb.
Exactly.
It will be Kia that will taking the sportier end of the luxury segment.
The next gen K900 should be a good bit sportier than the next gen Equus (being a bit smaller helps) and the GT Concept would slot btwn the compact RK and the Genesis in size (probably around the size of the Q50) and be better positioned (smaller/lighter) to take on the sportier side of the lux market.
While still on the sportier side of the luxury CUVs, the new X5 isn't as tossable as its predecessor since it has grown in size (and the steering is also lighter), but the trade-off is that the new X5 is more luxurious and has a more
mature ride.
X5 sales are brisk despite the bump in price.
Yes really. Most women, especially older ones, only know the name Lexus has prestige and don't know much about individual models. But I was really talking about a Lexus in the same price range as Genesis.
And yet, these women gravitate to the cheaper ES model and ignore the more expensive GS - which is the competitor for the midsize Germans.
And on the opposite end of the spectrum, there are those who totally look down on the ES, RX, CT and the upcoming NX as nothing but
tarted up FWD Toyotas.
Also, now being based on the platform underpinning the Avalon, the ES has grown, but still is priced like a RWD compact, whereas
Cadillac, Acura and
Lincoln have their full-size/room FWDs competing in the midsize segment.
Yes - Lexus has
prestige, but only more compared to its Japanese competition and the Koreans.
When it comes to the Germans, it is trailing (nowadays, even Audi).
Sales of the GS are disappointing and while the IS is doing OK (but still trailing the 3/C by a large margin) - 90% of IS buyers opt for the lower priced IS250 which has been dinged across the board for its underwhelming engine.
Talk about deep discounts.
