Hyundai has replaced the Equus with the now rebadged EQ900, to be sold in the US as the Genesis G90, the first vehicle produced under the now separated Genesis marque. Hyundai, or shall I say Genesis, is shooting for the top by releasing their top of the line luxury sedan as their first vehicle.
Offered with a 3.3L twin turbo V6 producing 365hp, or a 5.0L V8 producing 420hp, and available AWD for both, the G90 should have no trouble keeping up with the other luxury offerings, of which the G90 will undercut the price of all of them. Both engines will be driven by an 8 speed transmission. This car is more a car to be driven around in, however, with reclining back seats more resembling the throne-like back seat of a Mercedes S600 Maybach than anything else.
One can expect to find the same options you might find in a car twice the price in this car, while offering the same quality.
There is usually a reference to copying another luxury marque used in a negative light, but many auto journalists are using this as a positive, comparing buttons and switchgear to those found in cars like the Bentley and the S-Class, arguably the “one to beat” as far as luxury sedans go. Technologies like lane keeping assist and auto braking are things the recently released S-Class has just started offering, and Hyundai is already following suit only one year later.
Right behind the G90 comes the G80, which will be a rebadged version of the newly restyled 2015 Hyundai Genesis. I wouldn’t expect many changes as this car already only has a single Hyundai badge anywhere on it. Offered with a 3.8L V6 producing 311hp or the same 5.0L offered in the G90, maybe the G80 might offer the new twin turbo 3.3L introduced in the G90?
Currently offered at under $40k starting with many features coming standard, if Genesis keeps this same price point in the future they have the potential to become the next big luxury brand. They seem to be overcoming the hurdles that Japanese brands like Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura took a decade to overcome.
Genesis currently has plans to offer 6 different model lines by the year 2020, with three different luxury sedans (which two have already been revealed), two sizes of luxury SUVs, and some sort of luxury coupe. It’ll be interesting to see if the next generation Genesis coupe is a competitor to the RC-Fs, 4 series’, and next-gen Q60s of the world. Stock turbo engines always have an aftermarket centered on them, and it would make sense for Genesis to use their new 3.3L twin turbo throughout the brand. For now, let’s enjoy this quality and luxurious new Genesis G90, while looking forward to future innovations from Hyundai. Have you try one yet?
