I'm just back from lunch with John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai America. We drove to lunch in his company car, a black Genesis 4.6 sedan fitted with the 19" wheels off a Genesis Coupe, aggressive Pirelli tires, and an R-Spec badge on the trunk. Though the R-Spec badge was fitted just for smiles, John confirmed that Hyundai is "seriously considering" an R-Spec version of the Genesis Sedan, with the goal of giving the car some serious performance cred and establishing it as a true rival to the Lexus GS and Infiniti M.
Hyundai currently sells an R-Spec version of the Genesis Coupe. Designed for track use and enthusiasts, it adds an improved suspension, brakes, tires and limited-slip rear differential while eliminating a handful of non-essential comfort features.
So what would a R-Spec Genesis Sedan be like? That's still up in the air. Bigger wheels, better tires, stiffer suspension, possibly subtle bodywork cues like a mesh grille -- all are possibilities. John actually asked me what I would like to see on an R-Spec Genesis Sedan, and I told him. Now it's your turn: Click the "comments" link below and tell us what you think it would take to turn the Genesis Sedan into a true performance car. Hyundai is listening! --Aaron Gold
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Photo © Aaron Gold
If you’re going to make an R-spec Genesis Sedan, first you have to bump the horsepower. While the 4.6L is ample, is must be more the “regular” 4.6 offers if you’re going for performance. 400 hp would be something to talk about! I think that Hyundai should have tweaked the Coupe R-sepc for more power as well. The sedan should also be more aggressive looking, lower look with less chrome accents. A nice rim/tire package is a must with stiffer/better handling suspension. And it should of course lose some weight! I’m a sales manager at a Hyundai dealership and although this would not be a volume seller, it would be exciting.
How about a turbocharged engine?
What Hyundai really needs to do is man up and put the 4.6 in a Genesis coupe.
I would hope that a manual transmission could be an option. I understand it would sell in miniscule numbers but if a Buick can have a stick, why not a Hyundai. I would be interested…
i would like a manual transmission ( a good one please, not the grinding one in the Genesis Coupe).
Also bump up the power output. Stiffer suspension is a must. Tires can stay as they are. Larger tires only makes the car slower anyway and wastes power output to turn those extra bigger wheels.
If Hyundai is going to put out a R-Type sedan, I think they should consider doing it to the new new Sonata. The Genesis is just to large. But the 2011 Sonata would be perfect. It already has the styling, the turbo 4cylinder will be out later this year. They would of course need to as a rear spoiler, much more aggressive suspension, and a few other tweeks. But I think it would be a better seller than making a R-Type Genesis
I agree with mbostonjr, but…
A Sonata is what should be considered in R-Spec form. I am already biting my nails waiting to drive the 2.0l Turbo Sonata coming in the fall. However, it is front wheel drive, so I am wondering how it will handle the 275 hp that has been rumored. With weight and power similar to a MazdaSpeed3, torque steer will be a major problem.
I agree with Robert’s point about a turbo. Use a smaller but powerful engine and the weight savings could improve every dynamic aspect of the car.
Like Hyundai has the “Blue” moniker in the Compacts geared for extreme fuel economy, the Premium/Performance products like Genesis/Equus will have R-spec.
I like how Hyundai decided to separate their products to provide a better customer service experience to Compact Owners (Accent/Elantra) to Family Sedan Owners (Sonata/Azera) and Premium/Performance Owners (Genesis/Equus).
However, after seeing that 2011 Sonata at the dealer It would be very stupid for Hyundai to have a Luxury brand. They can just grow Hyundai as the Luxury brand.
Surprisingly, this 2011 Sonata isnt too much far off from the Genesis Fit and Finish, and if you ask me if you’re concerned about fuel economy, but want a big Luxurious feeling sedan the Sonata is your best buy.
After this Sonata, the Genesis will definately need an interior refresh and soon. I know the refresh is supposed to come out soon.
I think they really need to get rid of those stupid (VERY old fashioned) Baby Boomer Lexus like gauges in Genesis/Equus.
Give it the same Gauges as the other new stuff, but do something funky to the layout on the gauges to make it unique. Genesis interior layout is setup like the outgoing generation of Hyundai products, they are going to have to really revise it to stay fresh.
Sonata’s interior is more up to date, and what a aspiring cutting edge wanna be luxury make should be doing.
Hyundai is cutting Edge selling Sonatas that most other makes would sell for $30K at $25K, yeah they are cutting edge. That Sonata Limited is a $30K car that costs $25K, its a lot of car and more up to par for the “New Hyundai” than Genesis is.
They took a Competent Camry Competitor and turned it into (A cheaper VW CC) arguarably the BEST Affordable Near Luxury product on the market in 1 generation, wow!!! Im very used to Hyundai improving a lot, but not like this.
The New Limited is only $750 more than the old Limited, yet it feels like its $3-5K more. I know this is a Genesis article, but Im blown away by this new Sonata.
Not a great Idea.
“improved suspension, brakes, tires and limited-slip rear differential while eliminating a handful of non-essential comfort features.”
1. The most Genesis buyers does not want “cheap price”, “stripped down” version of Genesis. they want luxury. if young school boys use genesis sedan as their racing machine, it is not a great to current owners. Remeber, genesis sedan is a “boss” car, not a ricer.
2. true rival to the Lexus GS and Infiniti M? Why? no need it. The current Genesis sedan already outperforms Lexus GS.
See : http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0810_2009_hyundai_genesis_first_test/specs_fuel_economy_performance.html
3. if Hyundai want serious performance version of genesis sedan (like BMW M5, Mercedes benz AMG), don’t making “stripped down” version of Genesis.(like Genesis coupe r-spec). just add supercharged engine & better brake in it.
“cheap price” & “stripped down” version of Genesis? oh, no.
The BMW M5 is not a “stripped down” version of BMW 5 Series. you know what is this mean.
I have a 2010 genesis v8 sedan with the tech package and my opinion is before they do something like a spec pakage on the car they need to improve the car first..My genesis is not to impressive after 4100 gentle miles on her…The tires are noisy and there is a lot of windnoise comming in to the car..The v8 engine is not that refined because with only using the highest quality shell 93 octane fuels there is a slight knock in the engine and its kinda noisy as well and keep in mind I followed the suggestive break in period..The upgraded lexicon audio system is a joke I dont hear 528 watts of power..They should have benchmarked a bose system from Audi..Remote start would be nice…Iam a consumer who could of bought a benz or a lexus but I chose the hyundai genesis dont get me wrong its a nice car for the price point but hyundai wnta to go hed to hed with lexus they should improve the to even buick standards like quiet it down big time,,Use better touring tires to get rid of the terrible tire noise and quiet down the wind noise my goodness its noisy and refine the engine and improve the audio system..The buick lacross is a nice quiet refined car
1) Have him drive a corvette. HUD; tilt and telescope wheel, performance seats, paddle shifting, a nice engine growl, and get the suspension to perform like a corvette.
2) Get some oem approved vendors to start providing some custom peices for the car. Cat-back, chip programs, wheels/tires formulated for the car, and “bling” accesories like engine dress components, intakes, special floor mats, carbon fiber/woodgrain dash packages etc.
Manual transmission!!!
Irloyal has the general ideal, but I wouldn’t get vendors outside the company to make performance accessories…I’d get the vendors from INSIDE the company to make a performance package, then tweak the current car to make those accessories warranty and car compatible, dealer install friendly and within the affordability margins. That way, a consumer can choose to buy a performance package or a luxury package and Hyundai can build the same car to do both which is cost effective.
Oh, and Ed, as for audio systems…one of my companies is an audio and theater system design firm…been doing it for over 30 years. In the audio industry, comparing Bose to Lexicon is like comparing Mickey D’s to a 5 star restaurant…with Lexicon being the 5 star restaurant. Have you had the system properly adjusted? I had the Bose system in my Z-06 Vette..it was good for listening to AM talk radio. Neither comes close to an aftermarket system which is always an option. The only truly great sounding manufacturer system I’ve yet heard was the Mark Levinson system in the Lexus.
Hyundai, look at what BMW has done with the M3. You want the refinement and balanced proportions. But actually deliver quality and don’t rely on ///Marketing like BMW does.
A more sporty Genesis will sell well. Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from Kia’s new design language if need be. Also, an updated logo can’t hurt. Even if it’s just “Hyundai” along the back in a nice font rather than the crooked H.
I think the Logo is just fine. As a matter of fact Im going to quote Spencer Calbeck from Motor Authority who said:
“Considering all this, Im going to make a prediction: In 15 years (maybe less), Hyundai will be billing itself only as a premium automaker, though still an affordable one. I feel this is a perfectly reasonable prediction, given the styling of the next Sonata, the current success of the Genesis, an ongoing investigation into the possibility of bringing the Equus stateside, and their existing propensity to offer more standard features than the competition. I believe that positioning themselves above Kia in such a manner will be the best way to cover the market and avoid cannibalization. And finally, I think their current logo will help them. I know that this sounds farfetched, but hear me out. I believe that Hyundais H will no longer be seen as a wobbly rip-off of Hondas H, but rather that it will be seen as an italicised, and therefore fancy, version..”
Hyundai has to crawl before they walk. Before we get to M Division performance, we have to get the Accent and Elantra as equipped as Sonata.
I love this David and Goliath idea of Hyundai pulling themselves up by the bootsrtaps and turning themselves into a premium automaker and not:
1. Changing the names of any of its cars in the US.
2. Changing the Logo (I will be quite pissed if they do that)
3. Abandoning Fuel effciency (They should be the Volvo of Fuel Economy)
4. Affordability (I buy my $16k Accents in cash) Screw Debt for Fashion.
In terms of Performance I think Hyundai needs to just focus on Generations Y and X mostly, and duke it out with VW R GmBh division.
We want to grow M Division Performance, but not in engines that get 2 MPG (Exaggerating) either. Its going to take time to get 30 smehing MPG engines to perform like that.
However, Hyundai is supposed to be in F1 this year for the first time, so I can see F1 tech eventually getting into the Genesis and Equus.
I have a Genesis 3.8 V6 with Tech package and it is a great car period. Not perfect but fantastic value. I like the idea of an “R-Spec” option and would suggest that it be available for both the V6 & V8 models. I’m not sure how much more power is available by ‘Chip Tuning’ but obviously that would be a good first move. Forced induction is another option but that would bump the price considerably. A Double-Clutch Paddle Shift gearbox would be ideal (I really don’t see a manual being popular in a Genesis sedan) or a very good Paddle-Shift Automatic – the one in the Genny Coupe has way too much delay. A firmer but adjustable suspension (magnetic controlled Shocks) so that better handling and an acceptable ride are both options. Bigger Brakes & a Limited Slip Diff (for the V6 – V8 already has one) faster steering with more feel. Sports Seats (adjustable on BOTH sides please) but with the heat/cool option. Tasteful body kit with more agressive front valance and trunk lip spoiler.
I look forward to seeing something like this.
Great GUNS! I’ve been having fun with my 4.6. I’ve had a Hydroxy Unit installed – adds a few ponies and improved mpg. But what’s best is that the emissions is meeting 2020 standards! Now that’s doing some future talk for their tech team.
That being said – pop on GOOD tires – bump it up. Kick up the HP to 425+ bring the 0-60 down below 5 – supercharge or twin turbo. A HUD with paddle shifters and sport mode settings would go a long ways to classing this car to BMW stds. But you’ll need to stiffen the suspension.
Also don’t forget some simple things AC for passenger, massager for driver and better AC controls for the back seat! Provide as an option headrest mounted video screens that could tie into the DVD player – speaking of which, throw in a 500GB drive and allow US to load up with our music!
Nonetheless – the Genesis is a GREAT start for Hyundai!!