All photos by Hyundai
02/13/2012
Cars Home / Stuff to Buy Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
Hyundai’s Genesis is building quite a new reputation for itself, and with the new 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, things can only get better. We had the chance to spend a week behind the wheel of the new R-Spec and have plenty to say about this sport luxury sedan.
Exterior
The R-Spec has the new look of the Genesis and some options only available on this model. The first thing I noticed on it was the unique 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, which look absolutely stunning. Also featured on our test model were HID Xenon adaptive cornering headlights with LED accents with dark chrome inserts to help the Genesis stand out from the rest. Combined with the platinum metallic paint job, this car was making impressions before we even stepped inside. For the front view, the grille has been enhanced, sporting a more aggressive front fascia with larger intake openings developed to make lasting memories for those checking out the car in their rearview mirror and heated auto dimming outside mirrors with turn signal indicators. The overall look of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec screams power and attitude!
Interior
There is no doubt in your mind when you enter this car that the Hyundai designers had the driver in mind when they built this car. The seating position is superb and the materials rivaling much more expensive models. Our R-Spec interior included rain-sensing windshield wipers with auto defogging windshield, ultra-premium leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, cooled driver seat, heated rear seats, tailor leather wrapped dashboard and door trim inserts, power tilt and telescopic steering column, power tilt and slide moonroof and power rear sunshade, lexicon 17 speaker 7.1 discrete audio with 6-disc CD changer, ultimate navigation system with 8 inch display, driver information system with multimedia controller, leather wrapped steering wheel, push button start, Bluetooth hands-free phone system with integrated display, smart cruise control with LCD cluster display, electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold, front and rear parking assistance system with rearview camera, illuminated door sill plates and R-Spec carpeted floor mats, HD radio and XM Nav Traffic. That’s a lot considering all of the room in the cabin and trunk space reminiscent of cars we dream about.
Performance
This is where the 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec separates itself from the pretenders. With nearly a half a liter more displacement than the standard V8, the Tau 5.0-liter also gains direct-injection technology to deliver 429-hp at 6400 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. That’s an increase of 44-hp and 43 lb-ft of torque over the standard 4.6-liter, which continues on for 2012. Both engines also get a new 8-speed automatic which Hyundai touts as delivering a more refined drive, though the fuel economy gains are minimal with Hyundai claiming just a 1-mpg highway increase for the 4.6, while the 5.0-liter is down slightly at 16/25-mpg. These are numbers that are usually reserved for two-seat sports cars, but now you can have all of this enormous power in a luxury sports sedan. Handling is better with electronic stability control, traction control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, lane departure warning system. The road is your friend in this car that boasts R-Spec sport tuned multi link suspension. The power and smoothness are as good as it gets in this price range of $46,500 and that makes folks expect more for less.
Overview
Just a few years back, car buyers could not have imagined getting everything that the 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec offers at the price point where the car comes in today. For that, we commend Hyundai for pushing the envelope and building the V8 5.0 R-Spec. The value pricing is catching shoppers' attentions and the sweet styling will bring them into the showrooms. Power and performance are extraordinary and with fuel economy coming in at 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway you can enjoy the driving experience without burning a hole in your pocket.
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