Hyundai announces separate Genesis brand for 2016
While it was obvious that they should’ve done it from the beginning, Hyundai has just announced that Genesis will now become a separate luxury brand.
While it was obvious that they should’ve done it from the beginning, Hyundai has just announced that Genesis will now become a separate luxury brand.
The first-generation Genesis sedan was supposed to be Hyundai’s game-changer. A valiant effort at building a contemporary luxury sedan with a sporting streak, it was a hit everywhere else except the Middle East. Now Hyundai has gone in a slightly different direction with the Genesis, not just improving it for the 2015 model year, but also choosing a more controversial approach to the styling.
Hyundai has finally introduced the all-new 2015 Genesis sedan in Korea, and for whatever reason, they seem to be making it a very low-key event.
As Dubai Police continues to add all sorts of cars to their patrol fleet, this Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan was spotted on Sheikh Zayed road, in full police livery.
According to a press release by Hyundai Middle East, their “GDI” direct-injection engine will make its debut in the Middle East with the new 2013 Hyundai Genesis, giving it more horsepower and torque. However, they’ve said a lot of things before, such as the “launch” of the GDI engines in the latest Genesis Coupe models, which never made it to the local dealers.
Hyundai recently launched the latest facelifted version of their Genesis luxury sedan in the UAE. Extending the range further is the Genesis Prada GP500 edition, which made its GCC debut at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show.
As part of our Hyundai dealer-sponsored trip to Korea, we were given a quick tour of the Research and Development centre in Namyang, mostly to see the wind tunnel facility. The place was so secretive that cameras and phones were confiscated before entry, and even inside, all we saw were prototype cars in camouflage. Lots and lots of prototype cars in camo, all playing around their testing grounds.
The 2012 Hyundai Genesis debuted at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show with minor exterior design changes, new direct-injection technology for its Lambda V6 engine, new 8-speed automatic transmissions and better chassis tuning. A modern 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 engine is now available with the new 5.0 R-Spec model, which includes unique 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, and sport-tuned transmission, suspension and steering calibrations.
Hyundai has quietly revealed that they are developing a larger new 5.0-litre V8 to use in the Genesis and the Equus full-size sedans, and it looks like the new motor will potentially be the best in the market.
Debuting in late 2008, the Hyundai Genesis was the car that’s supposed to highlight what the Korean manufacturer is capable of, in terms of competing head-on with luxury brands. There was a lot of hype surrounding this car when it was launched. We’ve finally made contact with Hyundai’s UAE dealer and managed to acquire one for a road test.