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GENESIS: HYUNDAI CRAFTS A RIVAL TO THE

Hyundai aims to shatter premium automobile paradigms with the introduction of its new flagship, The Genesis luxury sedan.

With capabilities and features comparable to the world’s leading luxury sedans, Genesis will arrive at Hyundai dealerships in the second half of 2008.

 "Genesis is the pride of Hyundai technology and symbolizes our determination to enter the highly competitive arena of luxury cars now dominated by the Europeans. Genesis will consolidate our position as the leader of the Korean auto industry and will pave the way forward for our leap into the global market," Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-Koo.

 Genesis is built on Hyundai’s all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers a choice of two powertrains: 3.8-liter versions rated at 290ps and 9.6km per liter), and Hyundai’s all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine. The Tau will produce an estimated 375 horsepower using premium fuel and 368 horsepower using regular unleaded, leading all competitors in specific output with 79.5 to 81.0 horsepower per liter respectively.

With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, Genesis showcases features such as Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Electronically Controlled Air Suspension, Lexicon® audio systems and electronic active head restraints.

“While Genesis will compete for customers with cars like Lexus ES350 and Audi A6, our engineering benchmarks were Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-Series.” said Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, President of the Research and Development Division, Hyundai Motor Company. “Genesis provides a potent combination of performance, luxury and value.

We think it has the opportunity to be an extremely disruptive force in the large sedan and near-luxury segments.” Genesis ushers in a new era for Hyundai. Its all-new rear-wheel drive-architecture will spawn more products in other segments.
 

NEW PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE

Genesis is built on an all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture giving it a near ideal 52/48 front-to-rear weight distribution for exceptional handling and more refined steering characteristics.

The rear-wheel-drive layout allowed engineers to position the car’s front wheels farther forward delivering outstanding handling and steering performance. Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the industry’s most important new safety technology, further enhances the vehicle’s driving confidence.

Genesis reduces interior noise levels and improves ride and handling with a stiffer, lighter body structure. The use of high tensile steel in critical areas in the unibody provides Genesis with 12-14 percent higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body structure weight than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series – despite having a substantially larger cabin than either of those benchmarks. Hyundai Genesis has more interior volume than Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 7-Series.

WORLD-CLASS TAU V8

Headlining the Genesis’ performance capabilities is Hyundai’s all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. The Tau V8 delivers an estimated 375 horsepower to fit the demands of performance-oriented consumers.

This powertrain combination will launch Genesis to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The Tau produces more horsepower and torque than the powerplants found in Lexus LS460, BMW 750i, Audi A8 and has more horsepower per liter than any of its V8 competitors. The Tau engine is built with flexibility for the future. Future Tau variants may offer larger displacement, forced induction options and other technology enhancements.

STRONG LAMBDA V6 PERFORMANCE

       Genesis also delivers spirited performance through a 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine that delivers an estimated 290 horsepower and 36.5 kg•m of torque. To maximize the power spread, the engine utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on intake and exhaust cam shafts and a new Variable Intake System (VIS) that helps cylinders breathe efficiently at low and high RPM.

 The better breathing results in outstanding off-the-line acceleration and passing performance, and remarkable fuel efficiency. The V6 engine uses an alloy block and cylinder heads for lighter weight and thermal efficiency, and features timing chains with no scheduled maintenance.

 Even with their impressive output, both Genesis engines are also environmentally friendly by satisfying international emission regulation.

ADVANCED 6-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS

The Genesis V6 engine is mated to an Aisin 6-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic transmission that features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy. The transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide spread of ratios that ideally suit the engine's characteristics including a tall-overdrive sixth gear for quiet, efficient highway cruising.

Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC® feature by moving the gear selector into a separate gate. Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, adding to driver control. A clear LCD readout on the instrument panel shows the gear that's in use.
The Tau V8 Genesis is mated with an enhanced, high-output ZF 6-speed transmission to handle the added horsepower and torque.
 

INNOVATIVE AND SOPHISTICATED SPORT-TUNED SUSPENSION

Genesis features a suspension design that is among the most sophisticated and refined anywhere, at any price. The front five-link suspension features upper and lower arms linking the front wheels to the chassis. This artfully articulated arrangement creates a virtual king pin axis that dramatically reduces unwanted kickback through the steering wheel as well as improving responsiveness.
 

The five-link independent rear suspension is equally sophisticated, enabling precise suspension geometry for a premium ride and engaging handling prowess. The capabilities of the advanced front and rear-suspension are maximized through Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) allowing tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements.

The ASD suspension provides:

• Improved ride comfort with more body / wheel control
• Increase driving comfort without compromised handling
• Optimizes road surface contact
• Technology used in Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz models

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AIR SUSPENSION

 For the ultimate in ride comfort and handling, Genesis offers the optional EAS (Electronically Controlled Suspension) which provides continuous damping control like Lexus LS, BMW 7 Series, and S Class M-B. EAS capabilities include the adjustment of vehicle height over a range of 45mm in the vertical axis.

 In high mode, the vehicle body rises by 30mm from the normal state yielding a higher ground clearance for driving over high kerbs and overall safer driving over poor roads (up to 70km/h).  When the vehicle reaches sustained speeds of over 120km/h, the low mode is automatically activated and the vehicle body lowers from the normal state by 15mm for optimum aerodynamics.

Unlike the open-loop control systems found on the Lexus LS, BMW 7 series and S-Class M-B, Genesis’ closed-loop system is capable of delivering a response time of less than five seconds (compared to the competitors’ 30~60 seconds).

EAS provides heightened control over diving, squatting, rolling and other undesirable characteristics such as bouncing and sky-hooking. EAS also enables the driver to manually select from two driving-style modes: normal (soft) suspension setting and sports (hard).

PROGRESSIVE DESIGN MIRRORS ATHLETIC CAPABILITY 
 
Genesis’ design is a progressive interpretation of the modern rear-wheel drive luxury sedan. To match its dynamic capabilities, Genesis combines strong, sculpted forms which integrate precise details, natural materials and innovative lighting to provide a well-crafted, premium design aesthetic.

HIGH-TECH ACCOMMODATIONS AT ACCESSIBLE PRICE POINTS 
  
 The Genesis is the most advanced Hyundai ever. From its design and spaciousness to its technology and appointments, it delivers a wealth of features and performance befitting flagship European and Asian brands, but delivers them at a much more accessible price point.

Starting with its Lexicon state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7® technology, Genesis offers an extraordinary combination of technology, premium appointments, and value. Standard is a soft-touch instrument panel with woodgrain accents, and USB/iPod® auxiliary inputs. Backing out of tight spaces and avoiding mishaps is much easier with the available backup camera that uses the eight-inch display to show the driver a clear view immediately behind the car.

 A leather-wrapped dash, door panels and console lid surround the driver in a luxurious environment, while the heated and cooled driver’s seat provides optimal driving comfort. An automatic windshield defogger with humidity sensor and rain-sensing wipers allow crystal clear sight lines. Genesis also offers the conveniences of power rear sunshade, Bluetooth® hands-free mobile phone interface, smart key and push button starter.

LEXICON® AUDIO SYSTEMS TEAM WITH APPLE
TO OFFER UNRIVALED AUDIO PERFORMANCE AND CHOICE

 For a concert hall-on-wheels experience, Hyundai has teamed with Harman-Becker  to offer a Lexicon-branded state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7® technology. Available as an option, the Lexicon® surround sound audio system is designed for the most demanding audiophile. It includes a 12-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing more than 500 watts of sound in the 7.1 discrete audio format. The Rolls Royce Phantom and Hyundai Genesis are the only automobiles in the world to feature Lexicon audio.

Genesis comes standard with Auxiliary USB and iPod® inputs which allow drivers to fully control and charge iPods directly from the head unit.

ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

 The Genesis offers Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The advantages of HID headlamps include greater lighting power, daylight-type lighting and reduced power consumption. In addition, the cut lines of the new HID headlights are extremely precise, providing maximum nighttime visibility without distracting other drivers.

The lamps also feature an auto-leveling function which keeps the headlights level regardless of how the vehicle is loaded with passengers or cargo. Genesis also offers an Adaptive Front Lighting System that allows the headlamps to automatically swivel for better visibility when cornering.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES DELIVER IMPROVED SAFETY PERFORMANCE

            Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help both prevent accidents and maximize the well being of its occupants in the event of a collision.

The Genesis provides life-saving safety features as standard, such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

Genesis' total of eight airbags include dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.

An electronic active head restraint system will debut on the Hyundai Genesis. Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer electronic active front head restraints, an improvement over mechanically based active head restraint systems.

Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.

Genesis has a total of eight ultrasonic sensors located on the front and rear bumpers. The sensors, along with the rear backup camera, help detect how close objects are when parking. Distance is indicated on the in-dash screen and accompanied by an audible warning tone.

Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The 12.6-inch front rotors have single-piston floating calipers and the rear brakes feature 12.4-inch rotors with single-pistons on V6 models. Twin-pistons and larger rotors are featured on V8 models.

INNOVATIVE BODY MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Genesis is manufactured at the company's Ulsan plant at a new purpose built facility which adopts numerous innovations in manufacturing. One of the most noteworthy is the use of adhesive bonding which is used to supplement the traditional body welding process. The adoption of dual joining techniques—adhesive and welding—yields a significantly more rigid body than is possible using a single joining technique.

Historically, automobiles have been assembled using multiple spot welds but Genesis' steel body breaks with this tradition. Critical seams (90m in total length) are joined using an adhesive coating which creates a high-strength chemical bond. This is then supplemented with traditional multiple spot welds to yield unmatched joint quality and body stiffness.

Genesis’ body is an impressive engineering achievement offering 12~14 percent high dynamic torsional rigidity than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-series or Lexus LS. More impressively, Genesis achieves this higher rigidity with a body-in-white weight that is actually lower than the competition.

This rigid body structure allowed Hyundai chassis engineers to resolve two mutually contradictory goals: maintain precise steering and excellent handling capabilities while delivering a quieter, more comfortable ride.  And to provide a super strong safety cage, Genesis engineers specified two grades of high strength steel.

TECHNOLOGY

? Electronic active front head restraints

? Electronic Stability Control

? Eight airbags

? Cooled front seats

? High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlamps with adaptive leveling

? Adaptive Front Lighting System

? Smart key with electric push-button start

? Backup camera; Front blind-spot camera

? Bluetooth hands free

? iPod®/USB auxiliary inputs

? Lexicon® Discrete Surround Audio Systems with 6-disc DVD changer

? Automatic windshield defogger with humidity sensor

? Rain-sensing wipers

? Five-link front and rear suspension

? Tau V-8 engine (North America and Middle East only)

? 6-speed transmissions

? Acoustic laminated side glass

? Adaptive Cruise Control

? Electronically Controlled Air Suspension

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