That steering wheel is going to feel weird the way how the wood is not continuous with the leather

 

Has anyone else noticed that the center part of the steering wheel is covered with black tape and hiding the badge? Hmmm, something tells me this car is not going to be sold as a "Hyundai" - can we say new upscale division?


On Edit: I noticed on the link to the site, it shows other pics of the steering wheel without the tape over it. That badge is definitely not the Hyundai badge.. hmmm

 

Well to be honest who has done something original in the entry luxury segment? I would say no one. BMW, MB, Lexus showed nothing innovative in terms of interior design either (if that is what you referred to).

I think Hyundai needs to blend in and be accepted before they do anything original or eccentric.

 

Isn't that how it is with Infiniti and the Cadillac Escalade?

 

Hyundai has already stated this will be a HYundai. Yjey have not made a decision on a sperate line for a upsacale brand or a brand to compete with Scion.

 

Really? That's not what I've been reading. I looked at the wording pretty carefully - yes, it's a Hyundai concept, but then again so was the Nissan Fuga (which became the Infiniti M), so that doesn't really mean a thing. No where in the press releases did it state this car was going to be branded a Hyundai.

 

Judging by now they are trying to go for the "Lexus" look. Most may be suprised if this vehicle resembles the front of LS or IS

 

Hmm... I see plenty of innovation.

Even though generally criticized, the big German 3 (BMW, MB, Audi) have 'innovated' the iDrive, COMAND, MMI interfaces.

BMW did away with the auto shift lever and went to the little stalk (GREAT MOVE, complete waste of space in a large luxury sedan).

The Lexus LS ottoman in the segment is unique.

Lots of unique lighting touches in all of them.

I think you're right there.

 

Hyundai execs have stated on numerous occasions in public that this model is a Hyundai brand. A dealer I know has told me as much. Dealers have supported Hyundai starting a new brand , seperate from the Hyundai brand, to launch their luxury cars. They all want to follow the Lexus model, as most dealers also have Toyota and Lexus brands and realize the potential.

Websites are not the most current/correct source for information, esp regarding a corporate stategy.

Use some common sense. This brand will be released in the US in early 2008 (fall 2007 in Korea) and Hyundai has not registered a new name, nor signed up dealers for a new brand, etc. They would need six months to build showrooms (and that doesn't account for land acq and permitting), assuming everything else was complete. And the Execs have stated with a new luxury brand that they would need seperate and unique showrooms.

Do a google search. This model is referred as a Hyundai in each article. If this was a new brand 6 months out from intro, the model would use the new brand name to draw attention to the brand. The same as Lexus and Infiniti di prior to their launch.

This model will be a Hyundai.

 

Then they will fail miserably. Nobody in this country is going to spend over 30k for a "Hyundai". Doesn't matter how "nice" it is or how "well" it performs. When you have the money to spend 30 plus thousand on a new car, you're not entering Hyundai showrooms.

I assume when you say "This brand will be released in the US in early 2008", you meant to say this "car". Anyhoo, unlike yourself, I don't have friends who are dealers that work for Hyundai (as if the dealers know anything anyway), but sure I'll take your word for it.

So great, the Genesis will be branded a Hyundai - I wish them luck with it. They will need it.

 

Unfortunately, those headlights (judging from the exposed lenses) won't be as unique and innovative as the concepts (below). I love the concept's headlights!

 

http://www.carupdate.com.au/1922/hyu...irst-pictures/
.

 

Does anyone know what the base price of a Genesis will be? I keep hearing $30K, but the Azera is a $30K car. They'll need some price separation between the two. Which means the Genesis will have to be mid-$30's or lower the price of the Azera. Any info is appreciated.

 

but it wont, so it wont

:-)

 

Apparently it will be in between the GS/5 series/E class and LS/7 series/S class in size, RWD, V8 and priced at IS/3 series/C class levels.

Considering that Hyundai has upped its reliability considerably, what's not to like?