Let there be technology: What's under Hyundai's new Genesis sedan

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Tech, Hyundai

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis

The story of what's underneath -- and inside -- the Hyundai Genesis is central to the story of the car and what Hyundai's trying to do with it. The body-in-white of the Genesis has a larger total body area than the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes S-Class. Yet ten years ago, if we had asked you which carmaker would create a rear-wheel-drive V8 sedan with a body structure that is larger, yet stiffer and lighter than the 5-Series or E-Class, would you have guessed it would be Hyundai?

Of course, you probably wouldn't have guessed that BMW would be selling all the MINIs it could make, or that Alfa Romeo would sell out a run of $200K supercars. The lesson: the games -- plural -- have changed for everyone. Follow the jump to find out how the Genesis is the spearhead of change for Hyundai and, if Hyundai gets its wish, the entire luxury segment. And be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res images below.

Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan


Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Misc.

Continue reading Let there be technology: What's under Hyundai's new Genesis sedan

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[Sal Collaziano]

Imagine that.. Bigger than the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes S-Class, stiffer and lighter than the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class.. I don't think people are fully understanding what kind of accomplishments Hyundai has made with the Genesis...

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

That is a fantastic article that answers a BUNCH of the questions that I have heard floating around lately.

I am excited to hear that Hyundai is going to trend towards the premium/refined and Kia will be the sport/youth division of the brand (I hear "small, turbo, RWD" when I hear that!)

 

[Michael_S]

Imagine that.. Bigger than the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes S-Class, stiffer and lighter than the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class.. I don't think people are fully understanding what kind of accomplishments Hyundai has made with the Genesis...

To me, this is what makes the Genesis interesting, and worth consideration. It's 195.9 inches long and 77.2 inches wide.

First, if you want a car with a more spacious passenger cabin than the Genesis for less than $50,000, your only option is the Ford Crown Victoria (and Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car), which are 16 inches longer and 3.9 inches wider. The Genesis is a strong class leader for efficient interior space versus exterior dimensions.

Second, it manages to be incredibly spacious and rear wheel drive while remaining surprisingly light, and Hyundai still claims an exceptionally strong and crash-safe chassis.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Wait.. I just checked Edmunds specs and it says the Lincoln Town Car is 78.2 inches wide... I checked before I saw your measurements.. As I read on, I saw you state that the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis are 3.9 inches wider... Huh?

In any event, if Edmunds is correct and the Lincoln Town Car is 78.2 inches wide...

HOLY MOLY!

I'm all for cars having plenty of rear leg room - but I have broad shoulders and LOVE cars with plenty of shoulder room.. Damn, this car is constantly sounding better and better..

 

[Michael_S]

I thought the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car were all the same width. But you're right - Edmunds lists the Crown Victoria at 77.3 inches wide (which explains my 3.9 inch difference) but the Grand Marquis and Town Car are 78.2 inches wide.

Any way you slice it, they're huge and they have colossal trunks. And for comfortable cruising sedans, you can't do much better.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Azera, and Kia Amanti offer more total leg room despite being so much shorter. They're also faster and more fuel efficient (except, I'm guessing, for the Genesis V8, which will be colossally faster but probably less fuel efficient).

The Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car ace the US government crash tests and the IIHS front offset crash but only got the 'Marginal' rating in the IIHS side test that simulates getting hit by a 3500 pound tall compact pickup.

The Genesis hasn't been crash tested yet. The Azera is 4/4/5/5 US government but gets Good front and Acceptable side from the IIHS tests. The Amanti hasn't been US government tested but gets Good front and Good side.

I think, out of the choices I listed, I'd probably go for the Amanti.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Wait.. I'm reading the the Hyundai Genesis is 73.3 inches wide...

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2009-hyundai-genesis-3.htm

 

[Michael_S]

Yahoo Autos lists the weight at 73.4 inches.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

To me, this is what makes the Genesis interesting, and worth consideration. It's 195.9 inches long and 77.2 inches wide.

Okay. So the Hyundai Genesis is NOT 77.2 inches wide... I can relax now.