2013 Hyundai Genesis ditches 4.6L V8, gains eight-inch nav and 64GB SSD
08-15-12, 10:43 PM
#1
2013 Hyundai Genesis ditches 4.6L V8, gains eight-inch nav and 64GB SSD
2013 Hyundai Genesis ditches 4.6L V8, gains eight-inch nav and 64GB SSD
The Hyundai Genesis sedan may have been given a full mid-cycle refresh just last year, but we've now learned that some more changes are in store for the 2013 model. Sure, the car looks exactly the same (because it is), but there are indeed some tweaks both under the hood and inside the cabin.
First and foremost, kiss the 4.6-liter Tau V8 goodbye. Hyundai's first eight-cylinder engine is being discontinued in the Genesis, leaving only the 3.8-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8. Fine by us – if we're honest, we never saw much need for the 4.6 after that slick new 429-horsepower 5.0 was introduced. That said, Hyundai is also discontinuing the standard 5.0-liter model, meaning you have to option up to the R-Spec trim to get V8 power. All other Genesis sedan models will use the V6.
Hyundai has given its interior tech a bit of a freshening for 2013 by including its Blue Link suite of telematics services and adding an eight-inch display to the center stack with a redesigned version of the joystick multimedia controller (read: the big **** on the center console). The automaker says that the new interface is much more intuitive, and it uses a 64GB solid-state drive (SSD). Most automakers don't tout the type of hard drive used by their infotainment systems, but despite their higher price, solid-state drives are quickly gaining popularity in laptop computers for their durability and speed, and this is the first we've heard of them being used in an automotive infotainment system.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/2...nch-nav-and-6/
08-16-12, 06:21 AM
#5
How is this upping the game? 
There is no more standard V8 model, so if you want one, you have to step up to R-Spec. I know that the V6 is a good one, and plenty powerful, but it seems like Hyundai just neglected the "comfortable large/midsize luxury sedan with a V8" group, forcing people on the V6 or R-Spec with a V8. Killing the 4.6L V8 and replacing it with the 5.0L V8, on all models, would have been upping the game, IMO.
SSD is a nice addition, but I don't see a lot of consumers complaining that the hard drive on their car is going bad? Nice addition none the less.
There is no more standard V8 model, so if you want one, you have to step up to R-Spec. I know that the V6 is a good one, and plenty powerful, but it seems like Hyundai just neglected the "comfortable large/midsize luxury sedan with a V8" group, forcing people on the V6 or R-Spec with a V8. Killing the 4.6L V8 and replacing it with the 5.0L V8, on all models, would have been upping the game, IMO.
SSD is a nice addition, but I don't see a lot of consumers complaining that the hard drive on their car is going bad? Nice addition none the less.
08-16-12, 06:49 AM
#7
Lexus Champion
This move makes sense. In a car like the Genesis, there is no need to offer two V8's. Buyers can now just choose if they want a V6 or V8.
Hyundai reduces manufacturing costs in the process.
Hyundai reduces manufacturing costs in the process.
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08-16-12, 07:12 AM
#8
Most of these "comfortable large/midsize luxury' cars are sold as 6-cylinder variants, and FWD if you can get away with it (like the Lexus ES, Audi A6, and the new Cadillac XTS).
Most V8 variants of these cars are for elitist status symbols; how many 550i or E-Class AMG have I seen, with old Asian ladies driving them 10 miles below the speed limit?!?
08-16-12, 07:22 AM
#9
That is the issue - you cannot just choose a V6 or a V8. If you want anything other than an R-Spec, you can not have a V8. In this type of car - big, RWD, luxury features - there is a lot of appeal in a V8. I have seen a lot of the displaced Buick/Cadillac crowd buying Geneses, and those people tend to appreciate 8 cylinders.
I am not saying that this isn't a smart move on Hyundai's behalf. A 333 hp V6 is really more than anyone needs, regardless of the cylinder count. Building the car in this way makes a lot of sense, especially considering the advancements that V6s have made in recent years.
As you note, I see this as more of a way to streamline the manufacturing process, and also as a result of likely low sales of the V8 model. Hyundai is essentially making the Genesis a V6-only car unless you go for the high performance model, similar to how Audi has the A6 with a V6, unless you want to step up to an S6 with a V8.
As a comparison, Lexus dropped the V8 GS for the same reasons that Hyundai is dropping the V8 from the standard car, and most people expect the only way to get a V8 in a GS will be the GS F, if it ever happens. When this happened, everyone complained (myself included) that Lexus went soft and neglected the V8 market. Now, Hyundai is doing the same thing, so how is that upping the game?
I am not saying that this isn't a smart move on Hyundai's behalf. A 333 hp V6 is really more than anyone needs, regardless of the cylinder count. Building the car in this way makes a lot of sense, especially considering the advancements that V6s have made in recent years.
As you note, I see this as more of a way to streamline the manufacturing process, and also as a result of likely low sales of the V8 model. Hyundai is essentially making the Genesis a V6-only car unless you go for the high performance model, similar to how Audi has the A6 with a V6, unless you want to step up to an S6 with a V8.
As a comparison, Lexus dropped the V8 GS for the same reasons that Hyundai is dropping the V8 from the standard car, and most people expect the only way to get a V8 in a GS will be the GS F, if it ever happens. When this happened, everyone complained (myself included) that Lexus went soft and neglected the V8 market. Now, Hyundai is doing the same thing, so how is that upping the game?
08-16-12, 07:46 AM
#11
Lexus Champion
honestly I think its a good move --- I just built a Genesis on the Hyundai site....and there's only $1000 difference between the 5.0 and the 5.0 R-Spec....so might as well streamline with the 5.0 R-Spec only.
08-16-12, 08:23 AM
#12
Super Moderator
Unless they change some other things, I see this as a bad move. Currently with the 5.0 (either regular or R-Spec), you can only get three colors: Black, grey, or Silver., all with black leather Opting for the 3.8 or 4.6 gives you seven choices, adding white, blue, red, and beige to the options list, which can be paired with black, brown, or beige leather. Unless they expand the color choices on the R-Spec, I think they just shot themselves in the foot. Beige one could argue doesn't belong on a "sport sedan", but the metallic red and blue as well as the white should be available.
08-16-12, 08:40 AM
#13
Unless they change some other things, I see this as a bad move. Currently with the 5.0 (either regular or R-Spec), you can only get three colors: Black, grey, or Silver., all with black leather Opting for the 3.8 or 4.6 gives you seven choices, adding white, blue, red, and beige to the options list, which can be paired with black, brown, or beige leather. Unless they expand the color choices on the R-Spec, I think they just shot themselves in the foot. Beige one could argue doesn't belong on a "sport sedan", but the metallic red and blue as well as the white should be available.
Again - not saying that it's a bad idea considering how strong the V6 is + slow sales of the V8 model. My original point was this idea that Hyundai is "upping the game" when the reality is that they just cut one whole model out of the Genesis lineup.
08-16-12, 08:48 AM
#14
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That is the issue - you cannot just choose a V6 or a V8. If you want anything other than an R-Spec, you can not have a V8. In this type of car - big, RWD, luxury features - there is a lot of appeal in a V8. I have seen a lot of the displaced Buick/Cadillac crowd buying Geneses, and those people tend to appreciate 8 cylinders.
I am not saying that this isn't a smart move on Hyundai's behalf. A 333 hp V6 is really more than anyone needs, regardless of the cylinder count. Building the car in this way makes a lot of sense, especially considering the advancements that V6s have made in recent years.
As you note, I see this as more of a way to streamline the manufacturing process, and also as a result of likely low sales of the V8 model. Hyundai is essentially making the Genesis a V6-only car unless you go for the high performance model, similar to how Audi has the A6 with a V6, unless you want to step up to an S6 with a V8.
As a comparison, Lexus dropped the V8 GS for the same reasons that Hyundai is dropping the V8 from the standard car, and most people expect the only way to get a V8 in a GS will be the GS F, if it ever happens. When this happened, everyone complained (myself included) that Lexus went soft and neglected the V8 market. Now, Hyundai is doing the same thing, so how is that upping the game?
I am not saying that this isn't a smart move on Hyundai's behalf. A 333 hp V6 is really more than anyone needs, regardless of the cylinder count. Building the car in this way makes a lot of sense, especially considering the advancements that V6s have made in recent years.
As you note, I see this as more of a way to streamline the manufacturing process, and also as a result of likely low sales of the V8 model. Hyundai is essentially making the Genesis a V6-only car unless you go for the high performance model, similar to how Audi has the A6 with a V6, unless you want to step up to an S6 with a V8.
As a comparison, Lexus dropped the V8 GS for the same reasons that Hyundai is dropping the V8 from the standard car, and most people expect the only way to get a V8 in a GS will be the GS F, if it ever happens. When this happened, everyone complained (myself included) that Lexus went soft and neglected the V8 market. Now, Hyundai is doing the same thing, so how is that upping the game?
08-16-12, 09:08 AM
#15
Answers to these questions will help to put this into perspective.
Thanks
.