Genesis Earns its Wings

The Hyundai Genesis has always been in a league of its own, and now Hyundai is giving it a brand of its own to match.

What Lexus is to Toyota and Infiniti is to Nissan, Genesis will now be to Hyundai. While we loved the fact that the Genesis was perhaps the only car of its caliber to share the same brand-name as entry-level vehicles, this change of strategy on Hyundai’s part spells exciting things for the future of the Genesis.

Keen-eyed observers may have seen this move coming; the first Genesis to be released in the U.S. kept Hyundai’s trademark ‘H’ logo, but in 2014 the Genesis arrived with a distinctive winged badge, marking it as the lone luxury vehicle in the Korean automaker’s lineup. Hyundai is now banking on those wings – and the remarkable vehicles they adorn – to carry the company’s luxury aspirations to new heights.

Hyundai could hardly have found a better individual to spearhead their goals. Luc Donckerwolke, whose  fingerprints are on generations of Bentleys, Lamborghinis, and Audis, all of which he oversaw as Design Director, called the invitation to take over design for the Genesis line “the offer of a lifetime.”

Genesis (we’re going to have to get used to saying that!) plans on releasing six new vehicles by 2020, including a sports coupe, a replacement for the Hyundai Equus, an SUV, and several other, unnamed models. We’re glad to know that one of our favorite vehicles is garnering enough interest to spawn its own line, and we’re thrilled to be part of this new luxury brand!

The Next Generation of Hyundai Design: The HND-9 Concept

Tomorrow Hyundai will be unveiling its sweet new concept vehicle, the HND-9, at the Seoul Motor Show.   The luxury sports coupe is a blend of new technology and old-school glamour.  While word on the street is that the HND-9 won’t make it to production, you can bet you’ll see bits and pieces of it showing up in future Hyundai models.  Read the complete press release below.

“Luxury Sports Coupe Concept HND-9

– The HND-9 hints at Hyundai’s next-generation luxury sports coupe design

– More details to be revealed at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show

March 21, 2013 – Hyundai Motor Company, the fastest-growing automaker by brand, today
unveiled exterior renderings of the ‘HND-9’, its latest luxury sports coupe concept.

The ‘HND-9’ represents an evolution of Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design philosophy. The ninth concept model developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Center in Namyang, Korea, the HND-9 features sophisticated details in every design element, reinforcing a premium look.

In particular, the HND-9, with its dramatic long hood and wheelbase, is a modern
reinterpretation of the elegant image of a classic premium sports coupe.

Fluidic yet sleek character lines that stretch from headlamp to trunk, voluminous, powerful car body and a striking, wide hexagonal-shaped radiator grille underscore the high performance image of the concept.

Furthermore, butterfly doors, spiral-shaped lines connected to the headlamp, softly glistening silver coating, dual twin muffler and uniquely designed head and rear lamps give the car a sleek futuristic look.

As a rear-wheel drive, high-performance sports coupe concept, HND-9 is equipped with 3.3-liter turbo GDi engine and 8-speed auto transmission, delivering maximum output of 370ps.

The HND-9 is set to make its world debut during Hyundai’s press conference on March 28 at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. More details of the concept’s design and its cutting-edge technologies will be revealed at the show.”

Source:   Hyundai

$25K Hyundai Sonata VS $50K Mercedes Benz E350!

In a recent article MSN Autos recently compared a 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T (with options) to a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 in an effort to describe the difference in value between a $25,000 car and a $50,000 car.

Author Sam Foley wanted to know whether the Benz, which costs literally twice as much as the Sonata, was also twice the car. So he studied the dimensions, powertrain, safety, luxury, reliability, and style of both… and concluded that, either one of the vehicles is wildly overpriced or the other is one is a heck of a bargain. From Butler Hyundai’s perspective, the results are eye-opening!

See for yourself:

Dimensions: The Benz is wider but only by a few inches. And the Hyundai actually boasts more interior room up front.

Powertrain: Despite the fact that the Mercedes sports a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, the Sonata’s turbocharged 2-liter inline 4-cylinder delivers more horsepower. The Hyundai also gets better gas mileage, and runs on less expensive fuel.

Safety: Both vehicles rank the same in crash tests, earning 4-5 stars. But Hyundai garnered those stars after undergoing the more stringent 2011 tests, which Mercedes has yet to submit to.

Luxury: The E350 is plush, but unless you want to pay another $1,620, you won’t get real leather. You will in the Sonata, though. In fact, the Sonata Limited is as already as tricked out as it can get, minus the $2,100 navigation system. But if you want to pimp your Benz, you’ll be shelling out *at least* another $25,000.

Reliability: JD Power and Associates gave both vehicles a 4-star rating. But the Hyundai’s warranties are better: 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper compared to the E-Class’s 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper. Mercedes customers can, however, fork out another 3-grand for extended coverage.

Style: Both cars could be considered beautiful but, of course, that determination is in the eye of the beholder. The Mercedes features wood trim; The Hyundai sports a little more plastic. But, all other things considered, Mr. Foley wants to know, is that detail worth the $25,000 difference in price?

The answer is up to you… only you know what matters to you when you’re buying a car. If it’s the manufacturer’s name, status, and long history, you might lean towards the Mercedes. But, if you’re like most of us who want the best value for our dollar, the Hyundai is the better buy.

To read the entire article: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspxcpdocumentid=1184001&page=2