Early 2012 R-Spec reviews

[acoga]

Looks like Hyundai invited a bunch of press to Las Vegas to drive the 2012 R-Spec so expect to see a bunch of "First Drive" type of reviews over the next month or so. Here are some just released today:

http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/driven-2012-hyundai-genesis-r-spec/

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1106_2012_hyundai_genesis_r_spec_drive/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/hyundai/2012-hyundai-genesis-review-1572.html

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110620/CARNEWS/110629987

 

[Mark_888]

Autoweek comments from above link:

"The sport-tuned suspension features Sachs shocks with amplitude-sensing damping, higher-rate springs all around and a hollow rear antiroll bar. While this new complement of upgraded bits clearly pins the chassis down when the driver is hustling along, the higher-rate components do introduce some jittery ride motions we could live without."

Those who don't like the 2009/2010/2011 suspension should probably pass on the R-Spec.

 

[tonygxp]

One criticism we do have is with the throttle tip-in, which we found awkward and stilted from a dead stop. In addition, the 8-speed automatic takes a brief pause when downshifting, but this isn’t exclusive of the Hyundai unit – we have never been enamored with 8-speed automatics and their multitude of ratios, and the gear-hunting is a general affliction rather than a specific issue.

instead of "eight is enough" it sems like eight may be a bit too much lol

While this new complement of upgraded bits clearly pins the chassis down when the driver is hustling along, the higher-rate components do introduce some jittery ride motions we could live without.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110620/CARNEWS/110629987#ixzz1PqmRTw9P

i don't think this generation of genesis' will ever escape the stigma of ride issues no matter what hyundai does. i see no problem with it myself, i love the ride.

 

[Ruissimo]

I think overall... the reviews were very good. People seem generally impressed with the 2012 changes - and as expected, the clear winner of the 3 trims is the improved 3.8L V6.

If I'm gonna be honest... I would love to know I have 429 ponies under the hood just 'cause. But for $3,500 less, you're getting a nicer-riding car in the V6, with absolutely every feature of the 5.0L except for the aggressive ride, chrome body side trim and scrumptious 19"s.

$3,500 buys a lot of rim. And trim. And gas.

More torn than ever,

- Ruissimo

 

[Mark_888]

instead of "eight is enough" it sems like eight may be a bit too much lol

i don't think this generation of genesis' will ever escape the stigma of ride issues no matter what hyundai does. i see no problem with it myself, i love the ride.

How do you know, if you haven't even driven the R-Spec?

 

[Mark_888]

I think overall... the reviews were very good. People seem generally impressed with the 2012 changes - and as expected, the clear winner of the 3 trims is the improved 3.8L V6.

If I'm gonna be honest... I would love to know I have 429 ponies under the hood just 'cause. But for $3,500 less, you're getting a nicer-riding car in the V6, with absolutely every feature of the 5.0L except for the aggressive ride, chrome body side trim and scrumptious 19"s.

$3,500 buys a lot of rim. And trim. And gas.

More torn than ever,

- Ruissimo

3.8L is closer to ideal 50-50 front/rear weight distribitution than either of the V8's, which is one reason people who drive it say good things about it, even if they don't always know exactly why.

 

[tonygxp]

How do you know, if you haven't even driven the R-Spec?

talking about the stigma all the genesis' have. "i love the ride" of MINE... and the "8 speed" comment wasn't mine, it was the reviewers from one of the reviews in the first post. hope that clears that up for you.

 

[YEH]

From the Car & Driver review...

While the 5.0 is the sexiest item on the upgrade list, the most important is the tweaked suspension. As it was introduced, the Genesis paired a flinty ride with floppy, blasé handling. The balance is vastly improved for 2012, with the ride smoothing out and the car staying a bit flatter in hard cornering, thanks in part to a 1-mm-larger rear anti-roll bar (18 vs. 17). Additionally, last year’s car’s propensity to slam over big divots and lumps and bottom out as though it used Slinkys as springs is gone, with far fewer imperfections making their way into the cabin.

Aside from the bigger V-8, the R-Spec differentiates itself from lesser Genesis models with various suspension and brake tweaks. A further 1-mm bump in rear-anti-roll-bar diameter supposedly cinches it down a bit more, but we didn’t get a chance to toss the car into any aggressive hairpins to verify this. What we were able to find is that the moderately higher spring rates somewhat negate the other 2012 Genesis’s breakthroughs in the ride-and-handling arena, rediscovering some of the flintiness that other models thankfully left behind. Larger wheels—19 inches on the R-Spec—might also be partly to blame.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2012_hyundai_genesis_3.8_r-spec_5.0-first_drive_review

Aside from the stiffer suspension setting, I'm thinking the larger wheels and diff. rubber also play a part.

 

[Mark_888]

From the Car & Driver review...



http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2012_hyundai_genesis_3.8_r-spec_5.0-first_drive_review

Aside from the stiffer suspension setting, I'm thinking the larger wheels and diff. rubber also play a part.

Lower aspect tires (that come with tires that have the same overall diameter as other models, even though the wheels are larger) definitely plays a part. Less rubber between the wheel and the road. That is probably one reason I find the 2010 suspension more acceptable than some (after upgrade of suspension on my 2009) on my 55 aspect tires, when those with 18" wheels have 50 aspect tires. When you go below 50 aspect ratio (like the R-Spec), things really start gettng stiff.

 

[Mark_888]

talking about the stigma all the genesis' have. "i love the ride" of MINE... and the "8 speed" comment wasn't mine, it was the reviewers from one of the reviews in the first post. hope that clears that up for you.

Not really. The review says Hyundai designed (which everyone agrees on) and ZF built. So did ZF or Hyundai actually manufacturer the new 8-speed, or did Hyundai just license some patents?

"Hyundai designed" doesn't mean anything. That's like when a celebrity puts their name on a clothing line and claims they "designed" them, when all the did was to approve the designs of others.

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[tonygxp]

Not really. The review says Hyundai designed (which everyone agrees on) and ZF built. So did ZF or Hyundai actually manufacturer the new 8-speed, or did Hyundai just license some patents?

"Hyundai designed" doesn't mean anything. That's like when a celebrity puts their name on a clothing line and claims they "designed" them, when all the did was to approve the designs of others.

i answered this in the other thread.. see youtube "hyundai's 8 speed automatic transmission" for your answer.

and after reading the Car & Driver review it would appear "they" are not happy with the characteristics of the new 8 speed "counted off full seconds before we got what we were looking for" (refering to downshifts).

this is a problem GM has with the 6 speeds transmissions (i've owned two in recent years).. on the hwy running 60-65, nail the gas and one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three before it FOUND the gear and took off but it was horrible before i had a transmission tune from my friend's performance shop.. good luck finding a tuner that can tune hyundai's (or mitsubishi's, which is what it really is) software to fix this problem.

when i drove the ZF in my 4.6 i couldn't believe a 6 speed could work this way because the last 2 years i've been dealing with a 6 speed trans from GM that even tuned couldn't hold a candle to the ZF.. just my opinion (but you can research the GM 6 speed woes they're everywhere)

 

[DeeVa]

The seat of the pants indicates it accelerates as advertised, and does so smoothly, with seamless upshifts and downshifts from the Hyundai-designed, ZF-built eight-speed.

Pretty telling take on the ride:

The best sign that Hyundai's North American engineers have made progress in breaking through home-market dynamic numbness comes from the electro-hydraulic power steering. In the R-Spec, the steering is moderately weighted and precise, with a nice, even feel and good feedback lock-to-lock, whereas the 4.6's is light and numb. Both the 4.6 and the V-6, the latter of which has hydraulically assisted power steering, have a dead spot at center that causes some sloppiness, especially when the nose gets light under acceleration.

 

[akuma]

"Hyundai says their target Genesis customer is 'the millionaire next door'"
For those genesis owners, how much is your net worth/income? I make about 50k a year and am seriously considering buying a used 2012 around next February. I am very very financially stable and conscious. Is this uncommon for someone to buy a car like this when they aren't making 100k a year? I want a beautiful luxury car that is efficient and practical, but am still deciding if at the age of 27, am I guying too much car for me.

i don't think there are going to be that many used 2012s on the market by February, and even then, they aren't going to lose that much of their value. unless you get a 3.8 with few options if any, you're still looking at spending over $30k; all V8s are already loaded. how much you finance will depend on your down payment and/or trade in. but i don't think financing $20k over 4 or 5 years at low interest is "too much car" at your age (incidental if not irrelevant) and income. it will still have most of the 5 year warranty, and not a bad financial decision if you keep it for a long time, but the next generation or even the one after that (in 7 years) might be too tempting to pass up.

 

[amdmaxx]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/21/2012-hyundai-genesis-5-0-r-spec-first-drive-review/

 

[037]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/21/2012-hyundai-genesis-5-0-r-spec-first-drive-review/

good find. The best photos and info up to date.

 

[jmatero]

The new transmission needs some work...

From Car and Driver:

Regardless of engine, every 2012 Genesis will have an eight-speed automatic. As opposed to many other automakers, which use transmissions from outside suppliers, Hyundai chose to design its own slushbox. Maybe it shouldn’t have. Eight speeds allow for a fine balance of economy and zest, but the transmission is slow. Both up- and downshifts drag, and we were able to count off full seconds before getting what we wanted after stomping through the kickdown switch. All cars have a gate for manual actuation, but when the transmission takes longer to respond than an estranged fourth wife, it’s hard to care.

 

[DeeVa]

Full quote is a little less ominous:

Maybe it shouldn’t have. Eight speeds allow for a fine balance of economy and zest, but the transmission is slow. Both up- and downshifts drag, and we were able to count off full seconds before getting what we wanted after stomping through the kickdown switch. All cars have a gate for manual actuation, but when the transmission takes longer to respond than an estranged fourth wife, it’s hard to care. On the other hand, those who buy a Genesis for its highway serenity—so, all of them, including R-Spec buyers—might not notice, and they’ll appreciate the slight fuel-economy benefit. Cars with the V-6 are rated at 19 mpg city, 29 highway (up from 18/27 last year); those with the 4.6 are 17/26 (up from 17/25); and the R-Spec is 16/25.

 

[tonygxp]

Full quote is a little less ominous:

to who? those of us who are enthusiasts and belong to this forum lol.. they're were talking about the 65yo man and woman that know they don't have to "insert a key" and that's about all they know about this car or any car in general. you tell me if you wouldn't notice a transmission with the characteristics described above (so far, obviously we have to wait and see what HMC does, maybe a calibration adjustment, etc. if this proves a problem).. ever try to pass someone in a hurry (like only a limited opportunity before traffic eliminates the chance of the pas, or makes it dangerous)?? i have owned two vehicles like this both had "newly" designed 6 speed trans' from a respected mfr (hydramatic) and that feeling is not comforting in any way, it makes you second guess alot of driving in busy areas. hopefully the (if any) issues are worked out before the full wave of '12's are released. problem is maybe 1 out of 5 members here would honestly post about trans issues with this much "hype" surrounding it now lol

 

[DeeVa]

to who? those of us who are enthusiasts and belong to this forum lol.. they're were talking about the 65yo man and woman that know they don't have to "insert a key" and that's about all they know about this car or any car in general. you tell me if you wouldn't notice a transmission with the characteristics described above (so far, obviously we have to wait and see what HMC does, maybe a calibration adjustment, etc. if this proves a problem).. ever try to pass someone in a hurry (like only a limited opportunity before traffic eliminates the chance of the pas, or makes it dangerous)?? i have owned two vehicles like this both had "newly" designed 6 speed trans' from a respected mfr (hydramatic) and that feeling is not comforting in any way, it makes you second guess alot of driving in busy areas. hopefully the (if any) issues are worked out before the full wave of '12's are released. problem is maybe 1 out of 5 members here would honestly post about trans issues with this much "hype" surrounding it now lol

To whom? The ones looking for a luxury sedan. Of course, the ones lol looking to floor it and lay rubber lol may be forewarned.

 

[gadgetboyatl]

I've driven the 2012 hard and let me tell you, the lag is there. One would hope the tranny on the R-Spec would have different programming and ratios. Still, this can be solved with a new programming flash down the road and is not enough to dissuade me from purchasing.