Hyundai Genesis

Is it a coincidence that Genesis got back together for a reunion tour just ahead of the launch of Hyundai's entry into the luxury sedan market, the Genesis? Can you say lucrative sponsorship tie-in? Just a suggestion. As it grows its reputation for solid, safe, and affordable vehicles, Hyundai is looking to kick it up a notch by offering a load of firsts: its first luxury sedan, its first rear-wheel-drive platform, and its first V8 engine.

The Hyundai Genesis will debut in early 2008, and feature a choice of a 3.3-liter V6, a 3.8-liter V6, or a 4.6-liter Tau V8 that will deliver 264 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. All engines come with a six-speed automatic. Though it may not attract the consumers who go for Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes, the Korean automaker used those brands as guideposts when creating the rear-wheel-drive Genesis. While offering many of the same features (leather upholstery, a navigation system, a 17-speaker audio system, heated/cooled seats, adaptive cruise control), Hyundai doesn't plan to stray from its focus on affordability. The Genesis will be nearly half the price of comparable sedans, putting it in reach of the average family buyer.

Though exterior styling remains conservative, the rear-wheel-drive platform and V8 innovations signal a change in direction for Hyundai, which plans to branch out into both the luxury and performance sectors, depending on the success of the Genesis.