Genesis

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Hyundai, Kia, Genesis and Subaru clean up in IIHS 2018 safety ratings

Hyundai, its partner Kia and its Genesis division are the big winners in the latest vehicle safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, accounting for six of the 15 models that earned the Top Safety Pick+ awards for 2018. Subaru was right behind with four, Mercedes-Benz had two, and Toyota, BMW and Ford each had one. Another 47 vehicles earned the Top Safety Pick designation, where Toyota had 10 vehicle models, with Hyundai recognized for nine models. All but one of the seven vehicles in Subaru's lineup, the BRZ, qualified for one of the awards. IIHS strengthened the criteria for the Top Safety Pick+ award for 2018 to require headlights to earn a "good" rating — an "acceptable" rating was previously enough to notch the "plus" award — and good or acceptable passenger-side protection in the small overlap front crash, which replicates a crash involving just the front corner of a vehicle. It also required vehicles to have acceptable or good headlights for the first time to earn a Top Safety Pick award. Most of winners for both awards qualified on the basis of optional upgrades. IIHS in October began evaluating the passenger side of vehicles in its small overlap front crash test after it said it became clear that automakers were neglecting that side of the vehicle as they focused on improving driver-side protections. IIHS first began conducting driver-side small overlap crashes in 2012. It began measuring both how well low and high beams illuminated the road and the amount of glare they produce for oncoming vehicles as part of its ratings in 2016. The Top Safety Pick+ winners are listed below. The list doesn't include any minivans, pickups or minicars, which don't appear on either list of awardees. Small cars Kia Forte Kia Soul Subaru Impreza (sedan and wagon) Subaru WRX Midsize cars Subaru Legacy Subaru Outback Toyota Camry Large luxury cars BMW 5 series Genesis G80 Genesis G90 Lincoln Continental Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan Midsize SUVs Hyundai Santa Fe Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Midsize luxury SUV Mercedes-Benz GLC The full list of Top Safety Pick winners is available here.Related Video: Image Credit: IIHS BMW Genesis Hyundai Kia Lincoln Subaru Toyota Safety Crossover SUV Wagon Sedan crash test

Sunday Drive: Volvo hits a crossover home run, and people still love sports cars

Looking back at the week that just was clearly tells us at least three things. First, crossovers don't have to be boring. Second, people still love sports cars, from the attainable (Audi TT RS) to the fanciful (Mercedes-AMG GT C). And finally, the traditional German trio of premium luxury brands had better not rest on their laurels, because credible challengers are coming in from every direction. The biggest reveal of the week, at least judging by the interest of Autoblog readers, was the Volvo XC40. Not only is the little 'ute a looker, it introduces some innovative new buying/leasing schemes designed to appeal to an audience accustomed to trading in and trading up every couple of years. Think of Volvo's flat-fee lease as you would a smartphone contract, and you'll be on the right track. Genesis looks to have a hit on its hands in the form of the G70 sport sedan. We took a Korean-spec model for a spin and found a lot to like about the upstart contender. We can't wait to sample one here in the United States to see how it stacks up against the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In other news, we're still really excited to see a production Ford Ranger Raptor. But if you just can't wait for the official reveal — it's OK, neither can we — take a look at the renderings in our post down below. As always, tune in to Autoblog next week for a front-row seat to all the happenings worth following in the automotive industry. Volvo XC40 revealed | Crossover at the crossroads of style and substance 3 ways the Volvo XC40 is a game-changer Genesis G70 First Drive | An arrow to the heart of the Germans 2018 Audi TT RS Drivers' Notes | Five pots of turbocharged honey 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Quick Spin | This is the AMG GT you want The Ford Ranger Raptor is real, and this is what it might look like

Genesis G70 First Drive | An arrow to the heart of the Germans

SEOUL, South Korea — As schoolyard cliques go, the triumvirate of premium German small sedans has always been nastily effective. Sure, the gang's leadership sometimes swaps around, favoring whichever one has the latest engineering or marketing trick, but what they do even more effectively than beating each other is blocking out the new kids. Lexus and Infiniti came over all friendly and were derisively turned away. The Jaguar XE and the Alfa-Romeo Giulia have been treated with disdain, too, even if they arrived with style and (for now) EU passports. It's mostly because, as they've always done, the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class compete so ferociously with each other that they barely notice anybody else. But they'll notice the Genesis G70. They will notice because the G70 is so comprehensively good that anybody who skipped beyond the badge could easily think it came from within the German clique. Specifically, it feels like a combination of the best parts of the one from Munich and the one from Stuttgart. It could pass for an M car from the rear three-quarter view, but with a lower, wider, more ready-to-pounce stance, though the front end is less resolved. And from the driver's seat, its balance, poise and assurance do what a 3 Series does, only sometimes better and more cheerfully, with cleaner lines of communication. It's not just good, though. It's critically good. And it's not just that the G70 is Genesis aiming right into the heartland of the German automakers' cashflow, but that the G70 is really the first purebred Genesis, following the more Hyundai-based G80 and G90 luxury cars. The aim of the carefully poached dream team of Genesis designers, marketers and engineers was to make a beautiful car that was brilliant to drive. They got one of those things unerringly right, and the other is a bit more controversial. A PEER ON PAPER The figures are right there on size for all of the German rivals, and most of everybody else, too. Its 184.4-inch length runs 2.4 inches longer than the 3 Series, while its 111.6-inch wheelbase is a neat inch longer. It's also nearly two inches wider, but the F30 BMW is a scratch over an inch taller at the roofline. The G70's charge into the U.S. will be lead by a 3.3-liter V6 turbo engine, complete with about 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque (with the MY2019 models not arriving here until March or April next year, the numbers are not yet locked away).

Genesis G70 vs sport sedan rivals: How it compares on paper

We got our first look at the Genesis G70 sport sedan today. We think it looks good, with enough ties to its fellow Genesises (Geneses?) to further establish the brand and just enough distinction to help it stand out from the crowd. But ah yes, the crowd. Although Genesis didn't release the G70's full spec sheet, it revealed just enough for us to start sizing it up to its future competition. There are certainly others with which to compare (Lexus IS, Cadillac ATS, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Jaguar XE just to name a few), but we decided to take a look at the best sellers and most competitive luxury sport sedans. (And hey, if you like this, we can always do a follow up) So, here we have the Genesis G70 vs BMW 3 Series vs Audi A4 / S4 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Infiniti Q50. Nothing like a good chart to dig your teeth into on a Friday. Note that we only compared those models that line up with the G70. So, we left out the BMW 320i and Audi A4 Ultra entry level models as well as the Q50 3.0t mid-grade model that's considerably cheaper than the German performance upgrade models we listed. All 0-60 figures are rough estimates based on several sources, models/drivetrains and OEM figures. Related Video: Featured Gallery Genesis G70 vs other sport sedans View 15 Photos Audi BMW Genesis Infiniti Mercedes-Benz Luxury Sedan consumer infiniti q50 audi s4 genesis g70 mercedes-benz c-class bmw 330i bmw 340i

New entry-level Genesis G70 luxury sedan revealed

Genesis, Hyundai's semi-independent luxury car brand, finally revealed the long-awaited G70 compact sedan. This is the Korean automaker's new entry-level model and likely to be the brand's biggest seller, at least until a crossover makes an appearance. The G70 enters one of the mostly hotly contested segments around. Competitors like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class have been perfecting their craft for decades. This is arguably Genesis' toughest task yet. The original Genesis — now known as the G80 — made its first appearance nearly a decade ago. Genesis has slowly been building momentum ever since. That 5-Series competitor was followed by the Equus, Hyundai's answer to full-size sedans like the 7 Series and S-Class. Like all Hyundais, these Genesis models pack in a ton of features at a lower price point. The cars have been well received, even if some of the smaller details aren't quite there. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect the G70 to follow the same basic formula as its larger siblings. As expected, the G70 simply looks like a smaller variant of the G80 or G90. That's generally a good thing, as both of those current models wear a far more handsome and bold design than their fine but bland-looking predecessors. The car's design was lead by Luc Donckerwolke, the former lead designer of Bentley, Lamborghini and Audi. There was a big focus on proper proportions, with a long hood and short overhangs. There are a number of small chrome accents that brighten the car without looking tacky. New LED lighting up front should soon make its way to other Genesis products. The taillights are an stretched evolution of the lamps on the G80. The interior is reminiscent of other Hyundai and Genesis products. That's generally a good thing, as the overall design is simple but well organized. There seems to be the right mix of buttons and knobs. The instrument cluster features two analog dials flanking a digital display. The infotainment screen sticks up and above the dash and appears to be running the same software as current models. The seats are covered with the now common contrasting quilted stitching. We'll have to wait for a full drive to see how it all feels from behind the wheel. The G70 is available with a range of engines, though only a couple are likely to make it to the U.S. The G70 Sport comes with a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 that makes a healthy 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque.

Hyundai confirms a shift to EVs, unveils fuel cell SUV

SEOUL — Hyundai confirmed on Thursday it was placing electric vehicles at the center of its product strategy — one that includes plans for a premium long-distance electric car as it seeks to catch up to Tesla and other rivals. Like Toyota, Hyundai had initially championed fuel cell technology as the future of eco-friendly vehicles but has found itself shifting to electric as Tesla shot to prominence and battery-powered cars have gained government backing in China. Hyundai's debut of its more modestly priced Ionic hybrid and electric has been well-received. But the pure electric's per-charge driving range is much shorter than the Tesla Model 3 or Chevrolet Bolt. Toyota is now also working on longer-distance, fast-charging electric vehicles. Hyundai first started signaling this strategic shift back in May when it first discussed plans to launch an electric sedan under its high-end Genesis brand in 2021 with a range of 500 km (310 miles) per charge. It will also introduce an electric version of its Kona small crossover with a range of 390 km in the first half of next year. "We're strengthening our eco-friendly car strategy, centering on electric vehicles," Executive Vice President Lee Kwang-guk told a news conference, calling the technology mainstream and realistic. The automaker and affiliate Kia, which together rank fifth in global vehicle sales, also said they were adding three plug-in vehicles to their plans for eco-friendly cars, bringing the total to 31 models by 2020. Underscoring Hyundai's electric shift, those plans include eight battery-powered and two fuel-cell vehicles — a contrast to its 2014 announcement for 22 models, of which only two were slated to be battery-powered. Hyundai also confirmed a Reuters report that it is developing its first scaleable, dedicated electric vehicle platform, which will allow the company to produce multiple models with longer driving ranges. HYDROGEN SUV Hyundai unveiled a near production version of its new fuel cell SUV with a driving range of more than 580 km per charge, compared with the 415 km for its current Tucson fuel cell SUV. The mid-sized SUV will be launched in Korea early next year, followed by U.S. and European markets. A fuel cell electric bus is slated to be unveiled late this year, while a sedan-type fuel cell car is also planned. Even so, analysts noted that gaining traction with fuel cells was going to be a long hard slog partly due to a lack of charging infrastructure.

Genesis adding third crossover and EV for 2021

The year 2021 will be a big one for Hyundai's luxury brand, Genesis. Automotive News reports that the company will release a third, previously unheard-of crossover SUV that year. It will be a small one that will fit below the two crossovers announced earlier. Genesis will also launch its electric car that year. We knew Genesis would have an EV, we just didn't have a release window. Manfred Fitzgerald, the man in charge of Genesis, told Automotive News that these product additions are meant to improve brand awareness, but they'll undoubtedly improve sales, too. Luxury brands are realizing that crossovers are a necessity for sales success nowadays. Buick and Cadillac are clear examples. Over 85 percent of Buick's sales this past month consisted of its crossovers, and at Cadillac, the XT5 and the Escalades sold more than all of its cars combined. It only makes sense for Genesis to expand its offerings, as the crossover market shows no signs of cooling off. Offering an electric car is also a natural move, as more and more companies, particularly luxury makes, commit to electrification. Volvo announced that every new model it reveals will have some level of electrification, and Mercedes has an electric car called "EQ" in the works. Keeping up in these emerging market segments should help Genesis more quickly develop its reputation as a competitive luxury car company. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Genesis GV80 Concept: New York 2017 View 17 Photos News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: Drew Phillips Green Genesis Crossover SUV Electric Future Vehicles Luxury

2018 Genesis G80 Sport First Drive | Pennies from heaven

It's just not enough to be packed with luxury car equipment or have specs and proportions that look the part. And it's certainly not enough to have a price tag that's lower than everyone else's. It's just not enough because the car formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis outsold all but the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series most years. Seriously. And yet, can you really envision anyone truly putting it on the same luxury car pedestal as even an Infiniti or Volvo? You know, the pedestal that creates satisfaction for owners and breeds desire in everyone else? It takes creating an actual luxury brand to really do that, and it's with the 2018 Genesis G80 Sport that we can see the ongoing evolution of just that. Although every G80 is updated for 2018, it's with the Sport where the best attempt is being made at establishing the sort of emotional connections and points of differentiation that can make someone want a car rather than simply buying one because it makes sense. And in the G80 Sport, it all begins with copper. Yep, the stuff of pennies, kettles and Moscow Mule mugs, and a finish you won't find on any other luxury car. There are copper details in the Sport's headlights, wheel caps, dash clock and leather stitching – they are subtle but classy and effective. Those trim pieces further pair with brass-like bright work that takes the place of traditional chrome throughout the exterior. True, it doesn't work with every paint color and in every lighting condition (such as when the Polar Ice blue car in photos met overcast coastal skies), but we think a lot of people will appreciate that this non-silver trim combo is new and different. It's hard to stand out from the crowd if you wear the same makeup as everyone else, and we wouldn't be surprised if more Genesis cars adopt it. There are differences beyond the trim, though, as the Sport's lower fascia is more aggressive than the slightly altered one found on every other 2018 G80. There are three separate intakes sculpted to strongly resemble an M Sport BMW's lower fascia. The Genesis grille also has a glossy black mesh insert rather than horizontal bars, though the look is still hampered by the conspicuous adaptive cruise control's radar emitter. At the back, there are darker taillights, enlarged housings for the quad tailpipes and the now-ubiquitous glossy black rear diffuser. If the regular G80 is handsome and well-proportioned, but a tad anonymous, the Sport does just enough to gussy it up.

Trump encouraged by talk of 'a level playing field' on trade with South Korea

South Korea is a longstanding American ally, but President Donald Trump has spoken harshly about U.S. trade imbalances and threatened to tear up the bilateral trade pact. "We will do more to remove barriers to reciprocal trade and market access," Trump said, adding that the two leaders had talked about the thorny trade areas of steel and autos. Trump said he was encouraged by South Korea's President Moon Jae-in's assurances that he would seek a level playing field for American workers and businesses, particularly automakers. A joint statement said the two sides had agreed to work together to reduce over supply of basic materials such as steel and non-tariff barriers. It also said Trump had accepted an invitation from Moon to visit South Korea this year. Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said it was unwise for Trump to air the trade issue so publicly. "Public complaints by Trump about unfair trade and inadequate defense spending provide opportunities for China and North Korea to drive a wedge between the allies," she said. The U.S. goods trade deficit with South Korea has more than doubled since the U.S.-Korea free trade pact known as KORUS took effect in 2012. The agreement was forecast to boost U.S. exports by $10 billion a year, but in 2016 they were $3 billion lower than in 2011. At the start of Friday's talks, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the largest component of the deficit was automotive trade and many non-tariff barriers to U.S. auto exports to South Korea remained. "I think the way to address it is to deal product by product with what we can do to change the export side and what we can do to reduce the bad imports side," he said. Ross said later on Friday that some progress had been made in the talks. The current pact was agreed to despite protests by supporters of Moon, who was then in opposition. But analysts have suggested that given the need to preserve a unified front in the face of a hostile North Korea, there could be compromise on both sides to resolve issues. (By David Brunnstrom and Lisa Lambert. Additional reporting by Fatima Bhojani, Roberta Rampton, Tim Ahmann, David Chance, David Lawder and Eric Beech; Editing by Bill Trott and Andrew Hay) Related Video: Image Credit: Kim Hong-Ji / Reuters Government/Legal Genesis Hyundai Kia trade

Hyundai's Genesis gives birth to a sweet lease deal

In its June issue, Motor Trend devoted its cover to $399/month "luxury lease deals" with the question: Which sport sedan gives you the most for your money? The article included all of the usual suspects – Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, and Cadillac – along with the newest outlier, Alfa Romeo's Giulia. We wouldn't dissuade you from considering an Alfa or a Jaguar XE, but as of June 1, Hyundai's Genesis has an alternative. The Genesis G80 is an evolution of Hyundai's Genesis sedan, now selling under its own Genesis brand. And while the G80 skews luxury more than sport, it has a lot to offer. For that same $399/month over 36 months MT touted for smaller sport sedans, you can enjoy space akin to a BMW 5 Series, a responsive V6 powertrain, and enough refinement to get big tips if driving for Uber. Details of the lease offer: Lease starting at $399/month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing 6/1/2017 ~ 7/5/2017 Lease a 2017 G80 4dr Sdn 3.8L V6 RWD for $399 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at lease signing. Excludes registration, tax, title and license. Closed end lease for 2017 G80 4dr Sedan 3.8L V6 RWD (Model # B2402R65) available from June 1, 2017 through July 5, 2017, to well-qualified lessees approved by Genesis Finance. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. Offer based on $3,999 due at lease signing (includes $399 first payment and $3,600 capitalized cost reduction). No security deposit required. MSRP $42,350 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $37,250. Net capitalized cost includes $750 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $14,348. Option to purchase at lease end $24,140. Lessee is responsible for third-party fees. Third-party fees vary by state or locality. Lessee is also responsible for insurance, maintenance, repairs, $.25 per mile over 10,000 miles/year, excess wear, and a $400 disposition fee. Disposition fee of $400 applies in all states except in CO, IN, IA, KS, ME, OK, SC, WI, WV, & WY, where disposition fee is subject to state law limitations.