gipp
Been here awhile...
Ok, I got the Maryland Blue crabs, a "Philly" cheese steak and a $500 Genesis coupon on Saturday at the Genesis Test Drive Event.
Upon entering the tent we(my wife) were immediately captivated by a big black/black V8 Genesis. This was quite simply gorgeous. It might be a trick of the eye but the chrome underbody accent appears to give the car a longer look and a much more impressive presence. As mentioned elsewhere the pre-production model had bulleted alloy wheels vs. the hyper chrome of the “Plus or V8” production models. I actually liked them better. My wife agreed that the V8 was much more impressive looking than the black/black V6 tech she saw at the dealership last week. Amazing what a little chrome can do!
On the interior, again, this might be a trick of the eye, but the wood steering wheel separates the V8 cabin from the V6 tech. The “real” wood seems to soften the aluminum based center console a bit and just adds a touch more “luxury and refinement”. It also set off the saddle leather colored dash inlays. The cooled seat actually felt cool. The preproduction v8 did have the upgraded leather but unless you are a leather expert it is hard to tell the difference. I think it probably has more UV and antiwear finishing than the standard seats and if pressed I would say it is not quite as lustrous as the V6 with a tad less of a shine. Feeling was almost identical.
Now it was off to the test track! First a V6 and then a V8 over the water course. At first you do not know why they really have this water hazard on the course as both the Genesis models smoothly pull away and then take off when they hit dry pavement. Then you get in the Mercedes E550 and quickly feel some wheel spin and a bit of rear end horizontal tail spin. You can actually feel the computers doing there wizardry to make the Mercedes bite and move forward. The Cadillac CTS literally fishtails out 14-16” before the computer starts to reign the back end in and allows you to slowly make some forward progress. Don’t know what the Hyundai engineers did to their Traction Control algorithms but the Genesis wins this event in a convincing slam dunk.
You proceed thru a series of S turns so tight and contiguous that you would never encounter anything like this in the real world. Both Genesis models go thru this without issue, but without any real grins. The difference again becomes apparent when you get in the Mercedes and CTS. The S turns requires you to use a full 360 degrees of the steering wheel to complete this portion of the circuit in both Genesis models. The E550 requires a turn and a half of the wheel or a 540 degree of effort and the CTS is probably somewhere around 900 degrees as the wheel just keeps turning. The v6 Genesis seems a little easier to throw but the speedometer belies that sensation. The E550 is almost as quick in this section but betrays slightly more body roll than either the V6or V8 but compensates with better damping. The CTS is just out of its league here –period- unable to approach the turns at the same speed or level of driver confidence. The rigidity of the Genesis chassis really shines here.
A banked turn over gravel/sand/pebbles is the next treat. Again both V6 and V8 go thru without issue. The E550 is ok but you do sense that the ESC system engages and there is a tiny bit of wheel spin as you power out of the curve. The CTS is again lost and suffers considerable wheel spin. It is on this maneuver that you can feel the difference in the steering between the v6 and v8. The V8 conveys a feel of the pebbles to your hand as you accelerate thru the turn similar to the E550 but not as pronounced. The v6 does not supply that extra tactile feel. This test really highlights the Genesis Electronic Control System engineering and rewards the Genesis with another test track segment victory.
Next up is a full throttle acceleration test. The E550 is the quickest, getting to 41 mph before needing to brake so you do not run off the course. The v6 gets to 38 mph but feels the quickest of the group. Not sure if this is a pre production issue with tuning and/or gearing but the v8 experiences akin to a turbo lag off the gate and hangs out a bit before the superior torque kicks in and just snag a 39 before braking. The V8 also seems to possess superior braking capability.
The overall ride, comfort, noise level, feeling of control and security goes to the Genesis. The grated bumps at next test point get to test the struts/damping and noise levels. The e550 produces the classic Mercedes “thud” but produces a bit more correction than the Genesis. I personally thought the V8 extra heft gave it the edge over v6 but I engaged the bumps at different speeds and angles so I cannot be sure. My wife stated the Genesis was “by far the most comfortable and most secure riding car with the nicest interior and the quietest cabin and best ride. I got thrown around in the CTS and did some leaning in the Mercedes but felt very secure in the Genesis at all times. ”
For the second time I was not all that impressed with the Lexicon Discrete 7 sound system but did not have time to adjust or tinker. It seemed way too bright for me with almost a tinny quality to the tweeters and a noticeable lack of oomph to the subwoofers and a peculiar lack of mid range. Not a deal killer, but so far not an enhancer in any way.
We proceeded to the next phase of the test drive were we filled out evaluation forms and were treated to a “TAU” energy drink. I began to ask the attendant for the $500 coupon when she quickly cut me off and very softly said “ask those ladies over there and gave an almost unnoticeable head nod. We proceed to the two guardians of coupon land and once again as I began to ask was briskly cut off. She very slightly passed me a coupon below counter level and said :Have a nice day, thanks for coming.”
We proceeded back to the main viewing area were the black/black v8 was now mobbed so we went over to a Platinum V8. In the next twenty minutes or so not a single other coupon was handed out despite 25-30 people completing their experience. It seems the coupons have become a secret.
Overall I am very pleased to have driven the 2:45hrs for this event each way. I now know that I am definitely getting the V8 vs. the V6 since my wife simple stated “The V8 is much nicer than the V6 and I actually like it better than Betty’s new 740i” Hey, we all know who the boss is and would not dare to argue on such an important issue! I also got to see the Sapphire Blue for the first time but it was on a V6 vs. the v8 and absent the chrome. I also was disappointed that none of the cars had the saddle interior.
As we were munching on some Maryland Blue Crabs steamed in Old Bay at one of the new restaurants on the recently renovated Wilmington “Riverwalk” section of town just adjacent to the test drive location , I asked her which car she would take if someone offered her a choice for free. She replied-“ I really liked the Genesis, it is a great car and obviously stole the show today, but it still says Hyundai vs. Mercedes. That would be a tough choice for me... but for $38,000 less I don’t think it is a choice at all for us- all you have to do now is pick your colors”.
p.s. Cheese steak courtesy of a small detour on drive down – yummy!!!
Upon entering the tent we(my wife) were immediately captivated by a big black/black V8 Genesis. This was quite simply gorgeous. It might be a trick of the eye but the chrome underbody accent appears to give the car a longer look and a much more impressive presence. As mentioned elsewhere the pre-production model had bulleted alloy wheels vs. the hyper chrome of the “Plus or V8” production models. I actually liked them better. My wife agreed that the V8 was much more impressive looking than the black/black V6 tech she saw at the dealership last week. Amazing what a little chrome can do!
On the interior, again, this might be a trick of the eye, but the wood steering wheel separates the V8 cabin from the V6 tech. The “real” wood seems to soften the aluminum based center console a bit and just adds a touch more “luxury and refinement”. It also set off the saddle leather colored dash inlays. The cooled seat actually felt cool. The preproduction v8 did have the upgraded leather but unless you are a leather expert it is hard to tell the difference. I think it probably has more UV and antiwear finishing than the standard seats and if pressed I would say it is not quite as lustrous as the V6 with a tad less of a shine. Feeling was almost identical.
Now it was off to the test track! First a V6 and then a V8 over the water course. At first you do not know why they really have this water hazard on the course as both the Genesis models smoothly pull away and then take off when they hit dry pavement. Then you get in the Mercedes E550 and quickly feel some wheel spin and a bit of rear end horizontal tail spin. You can actually feel the computers doing there wizardry to make the Mercedes bite and move forward. The Cadillac CTS literally fishtails out 14-16” before the computer starts to reign the back end in and allows you to slowly make some forward progress. Don’t know what the Hyundai engineers did to their Traction Control algorithms but the Genesis wins this event in a convincing slam dunk.
You proceed thru a series of S turns so tight and contiguous that you would never encounter anything like this in the real world. Both Genesis models go thru this without issue, but without any real grins. The difference again becomes apparent when you get in the Mercedes and CTS. The S turns requires you to use a full 360 degrees of the steering wheel to complete this portion of the circuit in both Genesis models. The E550 requires a turn and a half of the wheel or a 540 degree of effort and the CTS is probably somewhere around 900 degrees as the wheel just keeps turning. The v6 Genesis seems a little easier to throw but the speedometer belies that sensation. The E550 is almost as quick in this section but betrays slightly more body roll than either the V6or V8 but compensates with better damping. The CTS is just out of its league here –period- unable to approach the turns at the same speed or level of driver confidence. The rigidity of the Genesis chassis really shines here.
A banked turn over gravel/sand/pebbles is the next treat. Again both V6 and V8 go thru without issue. The E550 is ok but you do sense that the ESC system engages and there is a tiny bit of wheel spin as you power out of the curve. The CTS is again lost and suffers considerable wheel spin. It is on this maneuver that you can feel the difference in the steering between the v6 and v8. The V8 conveys a feel of the pebbles to your hand as you accelerate thru the turn similar to the E550 but not as pronounced. The v6 does not supply that extra tactile feel. This test really highlights the Genesis Electronic Control System engineering and rewards the Genesis with another test track segment victory.
Next up is a full throttle acceleration test. The E550 is the quickest, getting to 41 mph before needing to brake so you do not run off the course. The v6 gets to 38 mph but feels the quickest of the group. Not sure if this is a pre production issue with tuning and/or gearing but the v8 experiences akin to a turbo lag off the gate and hangs out a bit before the superior torque kicks in and just snag a 39 before braking. The V8 also seems to possess superior braking capability.
The overall ride, comfort, noise level, feeling of control and security goes to the Genesis. The grated bumps at next test point get to test the struts/damping and noise levels. The e550 produces the classic Mercedes “thud” but produces a bit more correction than the Genesis. I personally thought the V8 extra heft gave it the edge over v6 but I engaged the bumps at different speeds and angles so I cannot be sure. My wife stated the Genesis was “by far the most comfortable and most secure riding car with the nicest interior and the quietest cabin and best ride. I got thrown around in the CTS and did some leaning in the Mercedes but felt very secure in the Genesis at all times. ”
For the second time I was not all that impressed with the Lexicon Discrete 7 sound system but did not have time to adjust or tinker. It seemed way too bright for me with almost a tinny quality to the tweeters and a noticeable lack of oomph to the subwoofers and a peculiar lack of mid range. Not a deal killer, but so far not an enhancer in any way.
We proceeded to the next phase of the test drive were we filled out evaluation forms and were treated to a “TAU” energy drink. I began to ask the attendant for the $500 coupon when she quickly cut me off and very softly said “ask those ladies over there and gave an almost unnoticeable head nod. We proceed to the two guardians of coupon land and once again as I began to ask was briskly cut off. She very slightly passed me a coupon below counter level and said :Have a nice day, thanks for coming.”
We proceeded back to the main viewing area were the black/black v8 was now mobbed so we went over to a Platinum V8. In the next twenty minutes or so not a single other coupon was handed out despite 25-30 people completing their experience. It seems the coupons have become a secret.
Overall I am very pleased to have driven the 2:45hrs for this event each way. I now know that I am definitely getting the V8 vs. the V6 since my wife simple stated “The V8 is much nicer than the V6 and I actually like it better than Betty’s new 740i” Hey, we all know who the boss is and would not dare to argue on such an important issue! I also got to see the Sapphire Blue for the first time but it was on a V6 vs. the v8 and absent the chrome. I also was disappointed that none of the cars had the saddle interior.
As we were munching on some Maryland Blue Crabs steamed in Old Bay at one of the new restaurants on the recently renovated Wilmington “Riverwalk” section of town just adjacent to the test drive location , I asked her which car she would take if someone offered her a choice for free. She replied-“ I really liked the Genesis, it is a great car and obviously stole the show today, but it still says Hyundai vs. Mercedes. That would be a tough choice for me... but for $38,000 less I don’t think it is a choice at all for us- all you have to do now is pick your colors”.
p.s. Cheese steak courtesy of a small detour on drive down – yummy!!!
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