Fun Factor - Hyundai Genesis V6 vs v8

[Sal Collaziano]

It appears as if most people are saying the V6 handles and steers better because of the 300 pound difference between the two. What do you think?

Things are going to get very interesting when the aftermarket for the Genesis Coupe spawns a turbo or supercharger for the V6. At that point, you'll have a v6 Genesis that's lighter than the v8, more powerful, better of gas AND faster...

However, the extra money for the v8 - as well as whatever handling and steering issues may exist because of the 300 pound difference - may be worth keeping your warranty intact.

Personally, I think Hyundai should consider scrapping the v8 and going to either a twin turbo or supercharged v6... It's nice to have a v8, but I have a feeling people will be more apt to purchasing a v6 that's more powerful - especially with current gas prices...

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Personally, I think Hyundai should consider scrapping the v8 and going to either a twin turbo or supercharged v6...

Oh NO you too...

 

[gipp]

See my post on Hyundai Test Drive Event but this is an interesting topic. What do terms like fun factor and ‘feels quicker’ really mean? Let’s take a look at what goes into feeling quicker as obviously it is a combo of engine and suspension dynamics. Or is it more? The V6 arguably does ‘feel quicker” but the numbers do not support it.

After limited test drives it is hard to give general assumptions so I do not want this post to come back and haunt me but remember that even though this is a "sports sedan" it is primarily a "luxury sports sedan" and it is not tuned the same as a BMW. Hey, many M3 owners feel the last generation v6 M3 out handles and "feels" better than the new v8 powered M3. But just as with the Genesis the test numbers just do not support those claims.

As mentioned elsewhere I am not sure if this is a preproduction issue but the V8 has a noticeable lag when first pushed. Again, not sure if this is engine tuning vs. transmission set up and if it will be an issue in production cars or not. But the feeling is that the v6 is supplying a constant stream of responsive power while the v8 builds torque and then goes. The feeling is that it is just not as responsive as the V6. This could lead to the definition of "feels quicker"? Responsiveness = Fun/Feels Quicker?

A non enthusiast driver might get scared from the V8 power rush and therefore actually produce better overall speeds in the more consistent v6. The v8 has a bit more 'road feel' in the steering than the v6 and that could make many v6 drivers feel a false sense of confidence if they are not used to 'feeling the road' and therefore continue to press with the v6 where they might back off the v8 upon getting this additional feedback if not used to German or Italian performance sedans. Power = Fun/Feels Quicker? Road Feel =Fun/Feels Quicker?

For example -If they start to feel the wheels sliding on some gravel they may instinctively ease the accelerator off a bit to regain 'grip' vs. counter-intuitively adding power and adjusting angle to regain grip. I felt that the added power in the v8 actually allowed for much better torque steer accelerating out of corners and added to the tossibility of the v8. The fact that the v8 has 1" thicker stabilizer bars should support that. However, if the SACHS ASD is calibrated the same for both I could see the added weight slowing the damping algorithms on the V8 and giving the v6 a greater sense of stability and increased body roll corrections. The Genesis definitely displays some under steer that many coming out of low hp RWD or AWD or any FWD drive cars will be unused to. Grip = Fun/Feels Quicker?

The brakes in the v8 are clearly better than the v6 and that should allow for more aggressive driving. It will be interesting to see some real test data on braking between the two models but I would guess up to a 6-10' difference. The brake pedal feel was better in v8 also. Confidence = Fun/Feels Quicker?

For those who have never owned a true high HP v8 performance sedan what many do not know that performance on the highway is the true expertise of these models and where the fun factor comes from. The mixture of lots of smooth torque together with the tall gearing provides the acceleration feel of a jet aircraft that is about to takeoff. 0-60 acceleration "fun" is a joke compared to 50-100mph dashes on an interstate when passing trucks or people who just do not belong in the left lane. The FUN FACTOR is just whooshing by in 10ths of seconds and watching bewildered faces in the rearview mirror with handling/braking capabilities superior at those speeds to pedestrian vehicles like a G8 /Chrysler 300 doing 30-40mph. It's all about the torque and suspension/chassis set up on a sweeping county back road in the hills and seamlessly taking ‘CAUTION -45 MPH’ sweepers at 85mph. Being able to torque steer/power out of a turn at 80mph which would leave a Grand Prix in a 700ft 4 complete body rollover catastrophe worthy of a Hollywood stunt scene . Chassis /Suspension = “Fun/Feel Quicker?

The old Road Runners or Dodge Challengers had high HP and lousy chassis that made the fun factor huge but the safety factor nonexistent. Heck, one year you could even get a hemi in the Dodge Dart. It’s like getting in a G8 or Shelby Mustang now. Great cars to show off on city streets with traffic lights every 150 yards but joke cars to people who really enjoy the fun of driving. Hemi = Fun/Feels Quicker?

I believe that same kind of engine produced fun is available in the v6 with its 290 hp and 263 ft torque at 4500 rpm but not nearly to the same degree. Torque = Fun/Feels Quicker? Oh, back to the inital question- which is more fun the v6 or the V8?

I guess 2 things that also intrigue me about the v8 are the 18/27 vs. 17/25mpg and the ability to use regular fuel. My premium only 4.2 v8 Mercedes consistently delivers 20mpg for over 100,000 miles. Initial EPA fuel figures on the 400E were 18/24 for the 3,660 lb sedan with 275 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 295 lb-ft of potent torque at 3900 rpm. The Genesis weighs in at 4120 lbs and generates 368hp at 6500 rpm and 324 lb=ft torque at 3400rpms. That kind of torque number at 3400 rpm means fun, fun, fun! I fully expect to average at least 22 mpg on a vastly more powerful sedan. MPG = Fun/Feels Quicker?

In summary, fun is at the eyes of the beholder, their driving ability, road conditions and the capabilities of the car they are driving. I had a 4 cylinder 2.3 Ford Pinto with a 4 speed manual when I was 17 years old that was a blast. I also had a 5 speed 5cylinder Acura Vigor with a 6800 rpm redline that was marketed as the’ ultimate sports sedan’ in 1992 and was as unfun as washing dirty underwear. Dirty Underwear = Fun/Feels Quicker?

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Yeah. I love this quote:

0-60 acceleration "fun" is a joke compared to 50-100mph dashes on an interstate when passing trucks or people who just do not belong in the left lane.

So I take back that whole "maybe they should get rid of the v8" nonsense. What was I thinking?

BUT.. What would you guys prefer? A v8 with 375 horsepower or a twin turbo v6 with 450?

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Yeah. I love this quote:



So I take back that whole "maybe they should get rid of the v8" nonsense. What was I thinking?

BUT.. What would you guys prefer? A v8 with 375 horsepower or a twin turbo v6 with 450?

A V10 with 500hp.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

A V10 with 500hp.

So you're waiting for the Hyundai Viper, huh?

 

[Jerrad]

After test driving both V6 & V8 its V8 all the way!

Since I currently drive a 2.4L Turbo(Hyundai engine w/ Mitsu Turbo) I love the Turbo idea. As for Twin Turbo 3.8 V6 that would be a great alternate to the V8 and would actually be a great engine choice for the Coupe..

I think a Twin turbo V6 punching out 400+HP would make the coupe a great contender to the IS-F and the Skyline GT-R.

Just my .02¢

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

I'll take the next-gen direct-injection V8 with a nice intake and full exhaust (header back) making about 450hp. You can turbo a 6-cyl, but it'll never sound like a healthy V8. Then maybe I'll add a little boost...

 

[Simonwpb]

I'll take the next-gen direct-injection V8 with a nice intake and full exhaust (header back) making about 450hp. You can turbo a 6-cyl, but it'll never sound like a healthy V8. Then maybe I'll add a little boost...

To be considered a legitimate contender in the lux/large car market Hyundai needs to offer a V8, and they certainly spent a lot of money developing a nice one. That's not to say that probably 80% of all Genesis cars will probably be sold with a V6, and that both engines will see a number of mods on future vehicles.

That being said -and having not yet driven the V8- I am assuming the extra +30% HP plus the drivetrain tweaks of the V8 model will no doubt increase the fun factor. (That's why I am interested in checking out the Road Tour).

 

[Jerrad]

I'll take the next-gen direct-injection V8 with a nice intake and full exhaust (header back) making about 450hp. You can turbo a 6-cyl, but it'll never sound like a healthy V8. Then maybe I'll add a little boost...

My SRT-4 sounds like a V8 atleast everyone that hears it cannot belive its a 2.4L. It does not sound like them hondas with a behive sound.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Tufast]

My SRT-4 sounds like a V8 atleast everyone that hears it cannot belive its a 2.4L. It does not sound like them hondas with a behive sound.

The NEON SRT4 does have a deep growl, at least on the level of a modded V/6 if not a V/8. Plus it's as fast as most V/8s, esp on stand still acceleration.

As for the Genesis sedan, I would have to have the V/8 with DI & then add FI in the form of SC or tt.

Sorry, to bring up such a old post.

 

[Gold Z]

I drove both the v6 and v8 cars several times before selecting the v6. The v6 is just more fun around town. It doesn't wait to accelerate like the v8 does. It just feels as if you have more power. On the highway the v8 feels stronger but in slower stop and go town driving it's the v6 all the way. My daily driver is an 08 Corvette and my play car is a 2002 Camaro making 638 hp at the rear wheels. I don't like underpowered cars. With 290 hp the v6 car never feels underpowered. It is also more pleasant to drive around town because of much less weight on the front end. Each person needs to drive both v6 and v8 cars for 20 miles or more on busy city streets then make up their own minds.

 

[Poopsicle]

Oh NO you too...

I agree. I would be uncomfortable about owning a Turbocharged or supercharged cars. Naturally Aspirated cars usually last longer and are less hassle to fix.

 

[DeMAN]

This is a luxury car by Hyundai. I dont see many people playing with the suspension or anything else for that matter. Most will buy a V6 because they feel it will be better around town and others will buy the V8 because this is what they feel a luxury car should have. I peronally hope no one modifies the Genesis sedan beyond maybe changing out the wheels and window tint.

I feel that hyundai themselves will up the power on the V6 and V8 in the future because of the comments they see here and other blogs. I personally dont want to see the hood up on any genesis sedan in someone driveway unless someone likes to change there own oil. It would send the wrong message about this car and its performance

The power on the V8 would probable go up 10-20hp alone if hyundai were to switch to direct injection.

 

[Mark_888]

If someone adds a turbo or inter-cooler to either engine Genesis, it is not because it needs more power, it is because some people just like change things and tinker.

 

[Sonata2009]

Hey! The V8 is just fine as is . . . but if you're anal, what about a V8 turbo? I mean, if you want all out power . . .

 

[wallymn]

I generally prefer which ever engine provides the most power with the least engine effort. The V8 provided more power, I try to avoid turbos as they increase engine wear (higher operating temps etc)....

 

[Gimli]

There is no replacement for displacement. Whatever you may want to do to the V6 to get more power you could do to the V8 instead to get even more.

 

[dond13]

I have the 4.6 with the Technology package. I test drove both the v6 and the v8 before buying and much prefer the V8. I am looking for a comfortable and responsive ride and the V8 was noticeably quieter.

I had to have the car towed back to the dealer yesterday because it wouldn't start. They found that it was a bad battery and replaced it. They gave me a loaner which was a V6 with about 780 miles on it and I put about 120 miles on it. The V8 has much more power in my opinion and there was a definite lag on acceleration with the V6 Maybe it was this particular car, but I really didn't like it at all. My V8 was also more comfortable over rough roads.