| 2009 DUB Edition Hyundai Genesis |
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| Cars - Test Drives & Reviews |
| Tuesday, 20 January 2009 11:44 |
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It has rear-wheel drive, an optional V-8 engine and all the indulgences one finds in a big luxury car, but at a price significantly lower than the Germans or Japanese charge, which makes this new offering very enticing. Although the Genesis is the most expensive offering in Hyundai’s lineup (listing from $33,000 for the V6 and $38,000 for the V8), it retails for as much as $26,000 less than its comparably equipped rivals—mainly from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.
The Genesis is a substantial car—bigger and more powerful than any Hyundai previously sold in the United States. Its exterior dimensions are slightly larger than just about every current mid-size luxury car, from the Mercedes E-Class to the Lexus GS to the BMW 5-Series. If you think you’ve seen the Genesis before, you probably have since its exterior styling is a combination of lines and styling cues seen on more familiar European and Japanese luxury cars. In terms of size, the Genesis is bigger and roomier than most mid-size luxury sedans. Its wheelbase is 115.6 inches, compared with 113.7 inches for the BMW 5-Series, 112.4 inches for the Mercedes E-class and 113.4 inches for the Cadillac CTS. With an overall length of 195.9 inches, it’s several inches longer than those three cars and only 2.5 inches shorter than a short-wheelbase 7-Series. The 2009 Genesis will be offered with three engine choices, with all featuring current state-of-the-art technologies to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, including fully variable valve timing and a variable intake system. All three Genesis engines will also have a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift feature. The choices include: a 3.3-liter V6 that produces 268 horsepower with 233 lb.-ft. of torque; a 3.8-liter V6 shoving out 290 horsepower with 264 lb.-ft. of torque; and Hyundai’s all-new 4.6-liter Tau V8 that produce s an estimated 368 horsepower and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Yet, the biggest engine news is that this is Hyundai’s first V8, and according to Hyundai, making it more powerful for its size than the V8s in any of the Genesis’s potential competitors. While the Genesis comes closer to mid-size luxury cars like BMW’s 5-Series in exterior dimensions, Hyundai claims that the space inside matches full-size models, with more room than BMW’s big 7-Series. A leather-wrapped dash, door panels and console lid surround the driver, while heated-and-cooled seats provide added comfort. The steering wheel is wrapped in engineered ultraviolet reflective leather to remain cool to the touch in extreme sunlight. The standard-feature list will be expansive, including items such as a proximity key, rear power sunshade and 600-Watt Harman Lexicon audio system with CD changer, Bluetooth mobile phone interface and USB/iPod auxiliary inputs. For a more wow factor, the Genesis offers options like a navigation system with 8-inch screen, a back-up camera, radar-guided Smart Cruise Control and an Automatic Front Lighting System that swivels the headlights for better visibility when cornering. DUB knows a good thing when we see one, which is why we took the 2009 Hyundai Genesis to the next level by enhancing its appearance with a DUB Edition makeover. We took both a white and black Genesis and heightened their mass appeal by slamming some 22-inch wheels on them and then added a few extra styling cues both inside and out. Upgrades include color-matched exterior pieces, custom lowering kits, an elaborate audio and video system, DUB emblems and tinted windows. With the many engineering enhancements that the crew at Hyundai has accomplished, and the DUB treatment, the new Hyundai Genesis is really ready to compete with the big dogs!
White Genesis
Black Genesis 
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Ten years ago, Hyundai used to be associated with mediocre, cheap cars that were good enough for rental car lots, but not exactly suitable for many American driveways. Times have changed, as the South Korean automaker is now trying to step up their game with its 2009 Hyundai Genesis that is said to hold its own with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.
