March 27, 2007
Hyundai to unveil rear-wheel drive V8 concept car in New York
 Hyundai Genesis concept. Click image to enlarge |
Photo Gallery: Hyundai Genesis concept
Markham, Ontario – Hyundai has announced it will stage the world premiere of its Concept Genesis at the New York Auto Show; the car heralds the future architecture and design of a rear-wheel drive premium sports sedan scheduled to enter the Hyundai line-up in 2008.
Concept Genesis rides on a prototype of Hyundai’s all-new rear-wheel drive platform and is powered by the company’s newly-developed DOHC 32-valve V8 powertrain. The company says the car marks the beginning of premium performance for the Hyundai brand, and will be the first application of rear-wheel drive in a North American Hyundai model since the Pony and Stellar of the 1980s.
The V8, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and limited-slip differential, delivers well over 300 hp and has a zero-to-96 km/h acceleration of less than six seconds. The company says that future variants of the engine, called Tau, may offer larger displacement, forced induction options and other technology enhancements.
Features on the Concept Genesis car include adaptive cruise control, electronic stability control, eight airbags, pushbutton start, navigation with backup camera, XM Satellite Radio and electric parking brake.
