Dust off your old hair-metal cassette tapes. Hyundai has jumped in the way-back machine and all of a sudden it's 1989 again.
You see, with the introduction of its Genesis rear-drive sedan, the Korean company that could is casting itself as the 21st Century Lexus. Lexus was a "disruptive force" back then...
"Could this be one of those defining moments?" asked Hyundai V.P. John Krafcik. Um, maybe John. Certainly the nondescript styling of the 5 Series-size Genesis sedan isn't likely to make much of an impact. The name isn't likely to do the trick either.
Perhaps the 0-60 run of well under 6 seconds will. That we trust is from a car equipped with the 368-hp 4.6-liter V8 and six-speed automatic. The car will also be offered with two V6s, a 264-hp 3.3-liter and a 290-hp 3.8-liter. Possibly all the equipment, like a 17-speaker (!) Lexicon audio system and radar-based automatic cruise control, for a price "like the BMW 3 Series" could make the Genesis a disruptive force.
Check back in 20 years. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
toyota4life says:
03:42 PM, 01/13/08
Baltimore,MD........ Rear looks good but the front needs a logo bad.
billt9 says:
03:53 PM, 01/13/08
The Flying H badge needs a modernized redesign. Make it more angular, edgy.
ateixeira says:
10:53 AM, 01/14/08
Hard to ignore the value IMHO. I just hope it drives well.
4ron says:
08:49 AM, 01/19/08
Good point! Hyundai needs a logo on the front end. Place it on the hood rather than the grill. Why is there a big debate over the grill design? The "seagulls" follows the shape of the surrounding body and is classy. Hyundai should have made up its mind before the show and shown confidence in its own decision.