Hyundai makes a foray into Mercedes-Benz and BMW territory with its luxury flagship model, the Genesis, officially launched in Malaysia for the first time today. Incorporating the latest and best technologies to date from Hyundai, the Genesis was subject to intensive tests at locations ranging from race tracks such as the Nurburgring and Yeongam Circuit to extreme weather conditions at Death Valley in Colorado, and Argeplog Lake in Sweden.
Since its global debut at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, the second-generation Genesis has already amassed a long list of awards and recognition from across the world including the Red Dot Product Design, five-star rating from the Australasian NCAP programme, a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) of the USA. Notably, the Genesis’ score of 36.88 is the highest to date in the Australasian NCAP’s 21-year history; it also scored an impressive ‘Good’ rating from the IIHS’ notoriously tough small overlap test.
An advanced structure underpins the Genesis’ safety agenda; more than 50 percent of its body structure is built on advanced high-strength steel, contributing to increases in stiffness of 16 and 40 percent in torsion and bending respectively in comparison with the first-generation model. The chassis is sprung by independent multi-links at all four corners complete with high performance dampers at the rear.
Complementing the robust framework is a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety equipment which includes electronic stability control, nine airbags, blind spot detection (for lane changing and rear cross traffic alert), active cruise control, and pre-safe seat belts which automatically tighten when the risk of collision is detected.
Powering the Genesis is a north-south mounted 3.8-litre V6 hailing from Hyundai’s Lambda engine family. Breathing at atmospheric pressure, the direct-injected powerplant sends power astern via an in-house developed 8-speed automatic transmission. With outputs of 311hp @ 6,000rpm and 397Nm @ 5,000rpm, the Genesis is able to complete the benchmark 0-100kph sprint in a brisk 6.5 seconds.
Legitimizing its claim as a bona fide luxury sedan, the Genesis comes fitted with a wide range of amenities and technologies as standard. Interior air quality is continuously monitored by a CO2 Cabin Sensor and the instrument panel is supplemented by a heads-up display projecting important readings onto the windscreen. In-car entertainment is provided by a 14-speaker Lexicon Discrete Logic 7 Surround Audio system with 900W output.
Other smart features include the 360-degree Around View Monitoring (AVM) camera system providing a birds-eye view of surroundings at parking speed and Smart Parking Assist which actively aids in parking by taking control of the steering. It also comes with the Smart Trunk System which automatically opens the boot if the vehicle’s smart key fob is detected within the boot’s proximity for longer than three seconds.
Including insurance and other on-road costs, the Genesis is priced at RM399,888 for individual private registration in Peninsula Malaysia. After sales coverage include a standard 5-year/300,000km warranty further complemented by an 8-year/300,000km non-transferable warranty applicable to the engine and transmission. Maintenance costs are further lowered by a 5-year/100,000km free service programme (also non-transferable) covering all scheduled maintenance items including labour, parts, and lubricants at 10,000km service intervals. In the event of a breakdown, owners can call upon Hyundai’s 24-hour road assist service.
New Genesis owners will be offered a 2-year free membership for The Leader, a proprietary concierge service exclusive to owners of premium Hyundai models. Members can enjoy VIP privileges such as complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at selected major airports in Malaysia, complimentary chauffeur driven ride to or from KLIA, KLIA2 or Subang Skypark and much more. Apart from the standard privileges that Leader Card members enjoy, members of the Leader-Genesis Card will be offered more personalised services from hotel bookings to travel arrangements, Priority Service and an exclusive VIP lounge at selected showrooms, plus additional four complimentary chauffeur service passes (for travel within the Klang Valley) as well as four airport premier lounge passes (at selected major airports in Malaysia).
Keyword: Hyundai makes entry into luxury market with all-new Genesis