Hyundai Genesis sedan to get 8-speed automatic

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Green, Hyundai



Hyundai is making a serious run at such stalwart luxury marques as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW with the Genesis sedan. The Korean automaker is already competing directly with those established players using its current range of engines and transmissions, with the 4.6-liter V8 being mated to the same 6-speed ZF automatic tranny that sees duty in various Bimmers and Jaguars. Sometime around 2010, Hyundai will have a new 8-speed automatic ready for public consumption that being developing in-house, and it will surely see the light of day in the Genesis mated up to Hyundai's latest V8 engine. That development will trump Mercedes by one gear and match the number of ratios offered by Lexus. BMW is expected to rely on a new unit from ZF, its longtime supplier, that should also feature eight forward gears. In the never-ending quest for increased performance and fuel efficiency, plus a bit of one-upmanship, expect more automakers to pair their largest powerplants with an ever-increasing number of cogs.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Genesis



[Source: Green Car Advisor via AutoblogGreen]Hyundai Genesis sedan to get 8-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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Please discuss this HERE. Thank you!

 

[oldsnwbrdr]

Why not a CVT? I'd like to see a CVT in a true luxury car.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Why not a CVT? I'd like to see a CVT in a true luxury car.

What are a few examples of vehicles using a continuously variable transmission?

 

[ShoNuff]

What are a few examples of vehicles using a continuously variable transmission?

Nissan Murano and Maxima come to mind.

 

[jwaters943]

All of Nissan's CUVs and cars (aside from the Z & GT-R) use a CVT. Toyota's hybrids also use CVT transmissions, including the Lexus GS & LS hybrids.

I'd personally rather have a smooth-shifting 8-speed auto. Even the best CVT's still feel weird to me, especially at high-revs. There's no sense of momentum. The revs don't build up so much as they hold steady until you let off the gas.

 

[mkaresh]

The CVT used in Toyota's hybrids is a totally different type from that used in non-hybrids. The Toyota hybrid transmission uses planetary gearsets, which are also employed in conventional automatics, just in a different way. To use a planetary gearset as a CVT, you need two power inputs (gas + electric in this case).

Other CVTs, including that in Honda's Civic Hybrid, uses a belt-and-pulley system that cannot yet handle V8 levels of torque.

 

[Poopsicle]

I HATE CVT transmission. The feeling is bland. Feels like I'm driving a moped.

 

[ConceptVBS]

It will be a while before the Genesis gets this transmission. The "VI", the next generation Equus sold only in Korea, will be the first model to receive this new transmission.

Speaking of transmissions, I read that Hyundai has made another 6 speed auto transmission from their subsidiary and was likely to replace the Aisin 6 speed model found in the 3.8 Genesis with theirs.