Hyundai’s premium segment success sets the stage for next-generation HCD-14 Genesis reveal at the North American International Auto Show

Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept

I’m a big fan of Hyundai and everything they have been doing for the past 4 to 5 years. When the Genesis sedan and coupe came out I was so impressed that I bought one. I owned a 2010 Genesis coupe 3.8 GT until recently when I traded it in for a 2013 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 turbo. The Genesis line has done so much for Hyundai to bring them up and show that they can build more than just cheap econo-cars. Well after 5-years of growing success it’s time to start looking at what the next Genesis sedan should look like and what technology should be integrated. Check out this glimpse of the HCD-14 Concept that Hyundai showed off at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.

DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2013 – Having finished 2012 with five-straight years of premium segment sales growth with its Genesis and Equus vehicle lines, today Hyundai unveiled its design direction for future premium vehicles with its HCD-14 Genesis concept at the North American International Auto Show.

“We’ve departed from industry convention in many of our premium product, marketing, sales and service approaches, and it’s worked out pretty well, with Genesis and Equus now delivering a nine percent retail market share in their premium segments, higher than the five percent retail share Hyundai brand achieves in the overall industry,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “This success paves the way for a new generation of rear-wheel drive premium products. HCD-14 Genesis gives a hint of the design direction we’ll be taking, and an indication of the focus we’re placing on driving dynamics and technology.”

Genesis and Equus’ premium segment success extends beyond sales and market share. In residual value retention, ALG rates Genesis’ 36-month residual value higher than both its Asian and domestic competition, while Equus residual values exceed its well-established European competitors after three years of ownership.

Further, Genesis and Equus are attracting higher buyer demographics to the Hyundai brand than ever before. Since the launch of Genesis in 2008, the share of Hyundai buyers with household incomes above $100,000 has increased by 25%, indicating just how far products like Genesis have improved demographics for the brand. Finally, despite capacity constraints, Genesis Coupe annual sales have exceeded those of its Infiniti G37 premium coupe competitor since its introduction to the premium sport coupe segment in 2009, and it remains one of the fastest turning vehicles in Hyundai’s lineup.

FLUIDIC PRECISION DESIGN
HCD-14 Genesis conveys a fluidic-precision, liquid-metal design language. Craftsmanship quality is conveyed via gemstone-like design surfaces. A bold front fascia surrounds brushed metal grille surfaces with a deep vertical grille opening. The corners of the rear hood incorporate heat extractor design accents that integrate seamlessly with exterior mirror design. From the side view silhouette, classic rear-drive sport sedan proportions are conveyed by an extended dash-to-axle length, short overhangs, large-diameter wheels, sharply-tapered greenhouse, and short rear deck. Large wheels were developed from a mix of premium lightweight alloys with carbon fiber surrounding the voided areas of the wheel design.

“We instilled HCD-14 Genesis with a premium-sport 4-door coupe road presence,” said Christopher Chapman, chief designer, Hyundai Design North America. “Its sleek and lightweight silhouette does not punish the wind, but uses fluidic precision with dramatic surfacing that conveys natural restraint. Inside, a driver-centric cockpit prioritizes dramatic sculpture over infotainment button overload. Laminated and milled-wood detailing delivers a fresh, topographical map-like visual interest throughout the cabin-length center console.”

REAR-HINGED REAR DOOR CABIN ACCESS
Opening the rear door reveals a rear-hinged configuration, with a single, oversized, brushed-aluminum hinge articulating diagonally from the rear door cutline. With both doors open, HCD-14 Genesis has an inviting and commodious cabin ambience. Inside the cabin, a double-cresting-wave center console design carries from the instrument panel through to the rear seats. This design-wave theme further influences the interior door handles and rear headrest hoods. Gauges and driver data are provided via an eclectic fusion of both analog and digital sources, with aviation-derived design cues. The driver-focused cockpit offers an asymmetrical center stack, with critical driving functions separated from passenger comfort functions. The center console even includes an iPad® tablet storage station, keeping it secure in spirited driving.

ACTIVE DRIVER SAFETY TECHNOLOGY
While the HCD-14 Genesis exterior design makes a statement all its own, the driver’s environment is where its technological innovation breaks new ground. Ergonomics engineers eliminated the traditional center stack, developing an intuitive driver interface system that allows the HCD-14 driver to better keep his eyes on the road. Freed from traditional design restrictions, designers created a controls layout devoid of intimidating clusters of buttons and knobs. Using state-of-the-art driver eye-tracking and 3-D hand-gesture recognition, HCD-14 Genesis is able to recognize driver commands free from the distractions associated with manual controls. Once a specific feature is selected via eye-tracking, thumb controls or gesture recognition can be used to select navigation, infotainment, audio, HVAC, and even smartphone connectivity functions. This intuitive interface provides the driver with complete control while keeping his eyes safely above the cowl plane, using a windshield heads-up display (HUD) for minimal driving distraction. This proprietary interface represents Hyundai’s vision for future vehicle HMI and sets anew benchmark in active driver safety technology.

DRIVER-CENTRIC VEHICLE DYNAMICS
HCD-14’s innovative eye-tracking and gesture-based controls reduce typical driving distractions, resulting in a more focused driver able to better appreciate the day-to-day satisfaction of exceptional vehicle dynamics. To this end, HCD-14 Genesis vehicle dynamics take the driver to a new level of involvement, focus, and control. An ultra-rigid chassis with strategic use of high-tensile steel provides a vault-like platform for the rear-drive powertrain configuration. Sophisticated five-link front and rear suspension reduces suspension-travel changes to camber and toe for consistent grip out of bends. A multi-mode power steering system retains road feel and feedback advantages while yielding the efficiency benefits of an electronic system. Low-profile performance tires yield outstanding turn-in response, mid-corner grip, and road feel. A sophisticated yaw-control system provides multiple driver-selected options for changing road conditions and driving preferences. Such an advanced complement of tarmac-gripping technologies requires an equally-impressive powertrain to be fully exploited, and the Hyundai-developed Tau® V8 engine is more than up to the task.

DIRECT-INJECTED TAU® V8 POWER
The HCD-14 Genesis powertrain features the award-winning Hyundai Tau® V8 engine, displacing 5.0-liters, with direct injection and Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), for impressive power, low emissions and superb efficiency. HCD-14 Genesis uses optical recognition to identify the driver and initiate the starting sequence, while gear selection for the 8-speed automatic transmission is performed via paddle shifters. HCD-14 Genesis exhaust is ceramic-lined and was tuned for minimal backpressure, maximum high-rpm horsepower, and a deep baritone note, with cooling fins integrated into ultra-wide exhaust tips.

PREMIUM SEGMENT SHARE GROWTH

Total Sales/Year	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Genesis	6,167	21,889	29,122	32,998	33,973
Equus	–	–	196	3,193	3,972
Total Hyundai Premium Models	6,167	21,889	29,318	36,191	37,945
Total Hyundai Premium Retail Share *	1.4%	6.3%	7.2%	8.8%	9.0%