Think Tank Live Chat with John Krafcik

[binarypulsar]

The Think Tank had a live chat with John Krafcik on 3/21/2013.

A multimedia album of the chat including transcripts is available at:
https://www.hyundaithinktank.com/index.html#dmlld0FsYnVtSW5kZXh8JTdCJTIycGFyYW1zJTIyJTNBJTVCJTVEJTdE

He mentioned that the next generation Genesis sedan will be the 2015 Genesis Sedan and will include AWD. Should be available mid 2014.

He mentioned that the 2014 Equus will have a HUD display, 360 degree camera, new interior and dash, displays blind point detection signals and turn-by-turn navi.

He mentioned that the Hyundai Assurance Program is getting a major overhaul and will be announced soon.

He also mentioned that management is split pretty evenly about the idea of a separate luxury brand.

 

[Ruissimo]

Thanks for posting this... I usually never miss these but I was working late that night and missed it

 

[whenamanlies]

Hyundai @ New York International Auto Show livestream: http://new.livestream.com/cdg/Hyundai
Some info on Equus and Assurance Program.

 

[QuantumRift]

An AWD drive version will more than likely take an mpg hit.

 

[Mark_888]

An AWD drive version will more than likely take an mpg hit.

Yes, but people who live where it snows a lot are willing to take that hit, expecially if they don't have to switch to snow tires in the winter. RWD cars don't sell very well in the snow belt.

 

[landtuna]

Yes, but people who live where it snows a lot are willing to take that hit, expecially if they don't have to switch to snow tires in the winter. RWD cars don't sell very well in the snow belt.

AWD isn't going to help much if your tires can't get any traction.

 

[Potty_Pants]

AWD isn't going to help much if your tires can't get any traction.

God really are we going to have this convo ?

1 rear wheel drive
2 front wheel drive
3 awd
4 4wd
5 awd or 4wd with snow tires

School is out

Ppp

 

[Mark_888]

AWD isn't going to help much if your tires can't get any traction.

I guess that even though AWD cars sell very well in areas where it snows a fair amount, and FWD outsells RWD by disproportionate numbers in those same areas (compared to sales of RWD in the Sunbelt), all of those people are just idiots?

 

[kman]

I live north of Chicago and i do switch to winter tires every year. With those on I have no complaints about how the car handles. I am sure AWD would help getting out of deeper snow or when taking off from a stop, but I am not racing from a stop and the speed with which i am able to take off is perfectly adequate and faster than people without winter tires. Braking performance wont be any better with AWD. One interesting side note is that most of the cars i see on the side of the road every time the snow falls are SUVs with awd. People become overconfident while driving.

 

[jnc2000]

RWD with snows any day personally.....

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[Ruissimo]

The Genesis has surprised me in snow. But it is definitely not as good in it as the 4-Motion Passat I traded in for it. Not even close.

The combination of AWD and Tiptronic downshifting made that car the best I've ever driven in snow and icy conditions. The thing was SOLID. Too bad it wasn't as good mechanically.

And THAT is one good reason to look forward to the 2015 Genesis

 

[landtuna]

I guess that even though AWD cars sell very well in areas where it snows a fair amount, and FWD outsells RWD by disproportionate numbers in those same areas (compared to sales of RWD in the Sunbelt), all of those people are just idiots?

AWD has benefited from a massive ad campaign but the bottom line is that without the proper tire, AWD will not provide much benefit over FWD in snow and none on ice. That is not my opinion but that of car experts. In addition, AWD introduces more complexity, higher maintenance, higher initial cost and lower mileage than a comparable FWD or RWD vehicle. For purposes such as rallying on dirt/gravel AWD does have significant advantages but most of us don't drive rally cars or roads. My point was that AWD does not negate the need for proper winter tires.

(http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/the-myth-of-the-all-powerful-all-wheel-drive-15202862)

As for your other "statistics" - FWD vehicles far outweigh RWD vehicles due mainly to lower cost of manufacture. Both types have their respective advantages and disadvantages with FWD being somewhat better in slippery conditions given the abilities of the average driver.

Myself? I like RWD because (a) I live in a dry climate and almost never encounter snow or ice and (b) I can toss the Genny into a drift and accelerate away from virtually any FWD vehicle of the same size and weight. I like the weight transfer to the drive wheels on acceleration and don't care that the rear floor has a driveshaft tunnel. Oh, did I mention the Genny also doesn't have that irritating torque steer that plagues most FWD cars? Torque steer in a 400+ HP FWD car would be almost impossible to control for the average driver.

 

[Rudderman98]

You don't need AWD.

You need one of these!

No GPS, no V-8, no all season performance tires. Now lets put this AWD debate to rest please.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABcckOTVqao"]TV commercial film for Volkswagen "Snow Plow" HD - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Mark_888]

AWD has benefited from a massive ad campaign but the bottom line is that without the proper tire, AWD will not provide much benefit over FWD in snow and none on ice. That is not my opinion but that of car experts. In addition, AWD introduces more complexity, higher maintenance, higher initial cost and lower mileage than a comparable FWD or RWD vehicle. For purposes such as rallying on dirt/gravel AWD does have significant advantages but most of us don't drive rally cars or roads. My point was that AWD does not negate the need for proper winter tires.

(http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/the-myth-of-the-all-powerful-all-wheel-drive-15202862)

As for your other "statistics" - FWD vehicles far outweigh RWD vehicles due mainly to lower cost of manufacture. Both types have their respective advantages and disadvantages with FWD being somewhat better in slippery conditions given the abilities of the average driver.

Myself? I like RWD because (a) I live in a dry climate and almost never encounter snow or ice and (b) I can toss the Genny into a drift and accelerate away from virtually any FWD vehicle of the same size and weight. I like the weight transfer to the drive wheels on acceleration and don't care that the rear floor has a driveshaft tunnel. Oh, did I mention the Genny also doesn't have that irritating torque steer that plagues most FWD cars? Torque steer in a 400+ HP FWD car would be almost impossible to control for the average driver.

FWD sells better in the Snowbelt regions than RWD, when compared to Sunbelt regions. That is a fact Jack.

Obviously FWD outsells RWD everywhere, for other reasons, but there is much higher avoidance of RWD in the Snowbelt. This is over and above general preference for FWD for reasons you stated. All I can say is that if you lived in the Snowbelt, you would know this.

 

[Mark_888]

You don't need AWD.

You need one of these!

No GPS, no V-8, no all season performance tires. Now lets put this AWD debate to rest please.

When it comes to snow traction, it is not simply FWD vs RWD, it is having the engine (and therefore most of the weight of the car) over the drive wheels. A few cars have rear engines such as high-end two seat Porsche's and the classic VW model shown in the video (looks like circa 1960 to me). That is why a RWD (with rear engine) has better traction then RWD with front engine, and can drive in the snow as shown in the video.

Most FWD with front engine cars have about 60% of the weight over the drive wheels, which is why they are preferred in snow. When on ice, all of this irrelevant, but on snow it is very relevant.

 

[landtuna]

FWD sells better in the Snowbelt regions than RWD, when compared to Sunbelt regions. That is a fact Jack.

No kidding! Even if there were no advantage to driving a FWD car on snow and ice FWD cars would sell better than RWD because virtually all new cars are FWD. AWD and RWD make up a very small percentage of new vehicles.

Obviously FWD outsells RWD everywhere, for other reasons, but there is much higher avoidance of RWD in the Snowbelt. This is over and above general preference for FWD for reasons you stated. All I can say is that if you lived in the Snowbelt, you would know this.

When I DID live in the snowbelt I drove a RWD car - a '65 Corvair. Granted, it also had a rear engine and was great in the snow. In fact, I used to race it on frozen lakes.

Now days, except for pickup trucks, it is difficult to find a low-to-moderate HP RWD car even if you wanted one. Most are high HP performance cars which are also to be avoided in snow and ice.

And, my name ain't Jack, Mack.

 

[Mark_888]

When I DID live in the snowbelt I drove a RWD car - a '65 Corvair. Granted, it also had a rear engine and was great in the snow. In fact, I used to race it on frozen lakes.

Granted? Granted? Having engine weight over the drive wheels is whole point of this conversation!!

If you live in the Snowbelt, then you need your engine over your drive wheels, or get snow tires in the winter. Or you need a more than one vehicle to drive on snow days.

I am quite sure that Hyundai marketing people know exactly how many Genesis sedans they sell in the Snowbelt, and they have a pretty good idea about how many additional Genesis sedans they can sell with AWD. My understanding is that AWD will be optional, so if you don't want/need it, then don't get it.

 

[427435]

While AWD may make getting moving easier, it does nothing for getting stopped or for maintaining control on slippery roads. Well, at least not compared to RWD. Compared to FWD, the control may be better with AWD.

I used to drive 65 miles one-way to work, and my last commuting vehicle was a 2004 Mercury Marauder. I always made it without problems. One of the interesting things, was most of the cars in the ditches, on a slippery day, were 4WD vehicles.

 

[Mark_888]

One of the interesting things, was most of the cars in the ditches, on a slippery day, were 4WD vehicles.

Yes, that is quite common. Overconfidence and bravado. Has very little to do with whether AWD actually has better or worse traction than RWD on snowy roads.

 

[waveman]

Yes, that is quite common. Overconfidence and bravado. Has very little to do with whether AWD actually has better or worse traction than RWD on snowy roads.

Very true. Some drivers seem to think that AWD changes the laws of physics, especially with regard to stopping distances.