"Genesis portrays the caliber of Hyundai technology, consolidating Hyundai’s position as a leader in the global automotive industry and paving the way forward for Hyundai’s leap in the global market," stated Philip Eustace, Executive Director, Hyundai Motors NZ.

The Genesis is manufactured at the company's Ulsan plant at a new purpose built facility which adopts numerous innovations in manufacturing. Using the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-series and Lexus GS as the engineering benchmarks for the Genesis program, the HMC development team broke with over two decades of front engine, front-wheel drive architecture and consequently adopted a rear-wheel drive configuration.

Sold in Korea, China and North America, Genesis comes with a choice of two engines: the 3.3-litre V-6 Lambda (258hp with a fuel economy rating of 10km per litre) and its larger V-6 sibling which displaces 3.8-litres (rated at 286hp and 9.6km per litre). Later in the year, the all-new 4.6-litre V-8 Tao engine will join the lineup.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through an Aisin 6-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission that features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy.

Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology,  Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help both prevent accidents, and maximize the well being of its occupants in the event of a collision. Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardising key life-saving safety technology such as an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.  

An electronic active head restraint system will debut on Genesis. Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer this feature, an improvement over mechanically based active head restraint systems. Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.

Genesis features a suspension design that is among the most sophisticated and refined anywhere, at any price. The front five-link suspension features upper and lower arms linking the front wheels to the chassis. The capabilities of the advanced front and rear-suspension are maximized through Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) allowing tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements.  ASD technology, adopted by Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, optimizes road surface contact, improves ride comfort with more body / wheel control and increases driving comfort without compromised handling.

Genesis’ other innovative features include:

Driver Information System with a 30GB hard disk drive and user-friendly multimedia jog/shuttle wheel controller provides near-instant control over navigation, audio entertainment system (CD/DVD/MP3 personal audio such as i-Pod), cell-phone with Bluetooth connectivity, DMB television. All DIS functions are software updatable giving Genesis owners easy and quick access to the expanded features and latest improvements.

A premium surround-sound audio system by Lexicon® with 17 speakers and a 12-channel 528W amplifier featuring LOGIC 7® technology. Rolls Royce Phantom and Hyundai Genesis are the only automobiles to offer Lexicon®.

Electronic Parking Brake: simply flick the switch to engage/disengage the parking brake

Smart Key Technology with key proximity sensor which enables driver to simply "press" the button to start or stop the engine

State-of-the-Art Sachs sports-tuned Electronic Air Suspension  raises or lowers vehicle height to optimize aerodynamics and improve road-holding during high speed driving

Early indications for the Genesis are that the vehicle will be available as a right-hand drive vehicle and will be available in the New Zealand market late 2009 / early 2010.