The Genesis concept features a V-8 engine–the type of power plant widely used by such luxury automakers as Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz. The highest-caliber sedans, such as BMW’s 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class, use V-8 or V-12 engines, so Hyundai’s first V-8 is a step into the big leagues for the automaker.

In a recent statement, Hyundai said the Concept Genesis’ 4.6-liter V-8 delivers “well over 300″ horsepower. The V-8 comes with a six-speed transmission, and in future applications, Hyundai could enlarge the engine or equip it with supercharging. “Concept Genesis,” the company said, “marks the beginning of premium performance for the Hyundai brand,” adding that the car has a zero-to-60 time of “well under six seconds.”

Americans have never seen a rear-wheel-drive Hyundai before. Rear drive, in which the transmission sends the engine’s power to the rear wheels, provides superior steering and sportier driving dynamics, compared with front-wheel drive. Premium sedans, such as the 7 Series and S-Class, are rear drive, as are such sports cars as Porsches and Ferraris.

Hyundai says the Concept Genesis uses “ultra-high-tensile steel” in its construction, giving the car a stiff, light, large body that compares favorably to those of BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes’ E-Class midsize sedans. Hyundai also says it tuned the Concept Genesis’ suspension to be sporty and responsive. The driver can select settings for the car’s ride and steering characteristics.

The car also features such upscale amenities as adaptive cruise control, which can make the car follow the vehicle in front of it at a fixed distance; heated and cooled seats; a push-button starter; a navigation system with a rear-mounted camera to assist in parking; Bluetooth technology; and an Infinity audio system.

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The Veracruz SE and Limited trim levels come standard with a Gentex three-mirror auto-dimming system in which the interior, driver- and passenger-side exterior mirrors automatically darken to reduce glare from rearward approaching vehicles. The brighter the glare, the darker the mirrors become, making nighttime driving safer.

In addition, the auto-dimming interior mirror has two advanced electronic features: an integrated compass display using Gentex’s proprietary Z-Nav directional-sensing technology and Johnson Controls’ HomeLink Wireless Control System. HomeLink consists of three buttons conveniently located on the face of the mirror that can be programmed to operate garage doors, estate gates, security systems, home lighting and other radio-frequency controlled devices.

The Veracruz, a mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV), is sold in virtually all left-hand drive markets except the European Union. “The Veracruz is Hyundai’s first entry into the popular mid-size CUV segment,” said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen. “We’re pleased that they are offering consumers the safety benefits of auto-dimming mirrors, particularly the total glare control provided by the three-mirror system.”

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Commenting on the launch of the Sonata Embera CRDi Automatic, H.S Lheem, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India Limited said, “Hyundai was first to drive in the successful CRDi technology in India which was far more superior to its contemporaries. And the superior diesel technology validates Hyundai’s technology edge in the diesel revolution.”

“After the splendid success of Sonata Embera CRDi, we are proud to announce the launch of Automatic Transmission of Sonata Embera CRDi for the Indian market. We are pleased to offer our customers a step ahead in the luxury segment, “he added. The new Sonata Embera CRDi automatic has 4-Speed H-Matic transmission which offers two modes-traditional fully automatic or a shift that provides the driver with finger-tip gear selection for more dynamic and pleasure driving.

The powertrain of new Sonata Embera CRDi automatic is a performance driven 2- Litre, four cylinder, Common Rail Direct Injection turbo charged engine with VGT, which produces an impressive 142 PS@4000 rpm as peak power and ensures quick response and robust acceleration. With a maximum torque of 33 kgm@2000-2680 rpm, the car has excellent pick-up and performance. A ground clearance of 170 mm makes it perfect for Indian roads.

With the launch of the new variant, Sonata Embera will now be available in 4 variants including both petrol and Diesel. The ex-showroom (Delhi) price of Sonata Embera CRDi Automatic is Rs 15, 71,656.

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This video gives you a sneak peak look at the company-produced “b-roll” video for the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, which was finally revealed at the Detroit Auto Show this week. A B-roll is produced for advertising and news sources to use and generally shows the vehicle being used just as the company designed it to be used. In this case, mainly between the curbs with very light off-road use.

After seeing the Veracruz in person, it appears that the Hyundai has a potential winner on its hands. Naturally, sales will tell us whether or not it will be a big hit, but there’s room at the table for a crossover with as much style as this one shows inside and out.

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Hellion’s architecture was inspired by a tough, hardshell backpack that uses ribs to provide structural and visual strength. To support this, Hyundai used three ultra-lightweight structural ribs to create Hellion’s safety cage, and a removable canvas soft-top completes the “shell”. The Hellion rides on 20-inch Teflon coat wheels and a common rail diesel engine provides power.

The hardshell backpack theme is carried to the inside of the Hellion, with the exterior ribs also evident on the interior. Seat-mounted gear packs can be converted into backpacks via push-button releases, and the bucket seats are equipped with a hydration system, replacing cupholders.[Forbes]

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As a result, many of the vehicles in Hyundai’s extensive line slant directly toward the American market,such as a new generation of designs for Sonata, a four-door and five-passenger sedan which is the first Hyundai to come out of that Alabama factory. Consider the Sonata for 2006 completely new in size, style and mechanical components.

It fits in the class of a mid-size sedan, although generous space in the five-seat passenger compartment seems more like the cabin of a large-size car. Two new engines were developed for Sonata through three different trim grades, with all stocking extensive equipment for safety.  And Hyundai applies aggressive price points for all trims.

MSRP leader is the entry issue Sonata GL, listing for $17,895 with a four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed manual shifter.  Middle model Sonata GLS with the four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission tallies to $19,395, or $20,895 with the V6 upgrade and a five-speed automatic.

Top tier Sonata LX, packing the V6 plus lots of luxury goods including leather upholstery, starts at $22,895.  Then Hyundai supports each new Sonata with a warranty which goes beyond the protection for other vehicles the powertrain insured for 100,000 miles and a 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper shield against defects plus unlimited mileage for a roadside assistance program.

With body styling drawn now in the mainstream of designs, a high content in comfort features, extensive safety equipment, the generous warranty program and prices whittled to keen low points, Sonata for 2006 makes a persuasive case for inclusion on any sedan shopper’s list.  The new structure for Sonata is considerably larger and far more sophisticated than the predecessor.

It measures several inches longer and taller and half an inch wider, with the wheelbase stretched out 1.1 inches longer and the wheel track 1.4 inches wider in front and 1.2 inches in back.  Styling of the body appears clean and simple with a smooth front fascia setting off bold contours on a concave-dimpled hood dome and followed by a windshield raking high to an arching brow of the roof.

Sonata’s side view reveals a beltline that’s nearly level above rolled shoulders and curvy door panels with large round wheelwells added to house big wheels and tires. Windows rise high to meet the arching roofline with support frames and middle pillar in black to blend with a dark tint of the glass and kindle the image of a sporty coupe. A brief decklid on the rump-side trunk conceals the compartment’s generous interior dimensions — there’s more than 16 cubic feet of cargo space in there.

The passenger compartment also seems big, but it is, as Sonata’s riders will find far more room inside than on the previous edition.  Headroom increases by more than half an inch, legroom in the back seat improves by 1.2 inches and there’s as least an inch more room at the shoulder level of rear riders.  Layout of the cabin shows a pair of bucket seats up front flanking a floor-mounted console and a broad bench in back with two articulated seat positions but room for three.

The rear seatback splits 60/40 in sections and both fold forward to expand cargo room in the trunk.  Driver’s seat faces a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an instrument cluster containing analog gauges with a large speedometer in the center spot ringed by chrome.  Stow spots are scattered around the cabin, map pockets mounted on the front doors, the center console with integrated cupholders and cubbyholes, a hook in the footwell of the right front seat that flips out to hold a handbag, a fold-down armrest in the rear seatback which houses more cupholders in a pop-open section.

For responsive handling as well as a comfortable ride quality, Sonata employs a four- wheel independent suspension system with double wishbone design up front and a multi-link arrangement in back.  The rack and pinion steering mechanism brings a direct touch with power boost keyed to engine-speed sensors.  Brakes include a disc at every wheel with computer-controlled equipment for all trims, an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC) and a traction control system (TCS).

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All Santa Fes have a V6 engine. The GLS has 180 hp, SE and Limited have 242. GLS offers manual and automatic transmissions, the others are automatic only. The automatics have a manual shift gate. SE and Limited are available with a 3rd-row bench that folds flat atop the cargo floor to increase seating capacity from five to seven. ABS and traction/antiskid control are standard. So are front side and curtain side airbags. A sunroof and heated seats are available on all.

A Touring Package for SE and Limited includes a load-leveling suspension. Hyundai’s warranty is among the industry’s longest at 5-years/60,000-mi. basic, 10/100,000 powertrain, and 5/unlimited roadside assistance.

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