“There’s no replacement for displacement.” This age-old statement was born from the hot-rod scene sometime during the 1960s. It has evolved into the battle cry for those who still believe in big and free engines that need no help to breathe. In a world where numerous manufactures are turning to turbocharging smaller engines to make power, it is becoming more and more rare to see a high output, naturally aspirated and large engine. Without one “turbo”, “supercharged” or “T” badge in sight, the updated 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan R-Spec shows off its “5.0” sign with pride. This all-new, ultimate Genesis is the most powerful and fastest Hyundai to date and it does it all by mixing new technology with a key, old school philosophy: bigger is better.
Updated for the 2012 model year, every Genesis Sedan gets an added shot of muscle. Where the 2011 car was a bit too bland and soft looking, the 2012 is much more chiseled and honed. In R-Spec trim, the front and rear bumpers flare out just so much to give a wider, more hunkered-down look. It carries a lot of mystery as every angle gives the impression of a hero car. The new Sedans look powerfully classy and would fit right in front of an office building and or comic book. Just like the R-Spec we drove in South Carolina earlier in the year, this tester is loaded with every technology offered across the Genesis line. Hyundai clearly understands that purchasing a premium performance luxury cruiser can become a headache with all the options and accessories offered. For that reason, all 2012 R-Specs carry just one MSRP: $46,500. For that price, a 5.0 comes with leather seats with heating front and rear (cooled for the front), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), navigation, satellite radio and automatic climate control. It also comes with the neat feature of 429 horsepower.
Under the hood of our tester is Hyundai’s all-new, in-house 5.0 liter V8. Placed above the brand’s other eight cylinder, the 385 horsepower 4.6, the new block features direct injection, double overhead cams with variable valve timing and an all alloy construction. Accompany the 429 horsepower is 376 lb-ft of torque; a lot of which being available before 2,000 rpms. With help from the once-again in-house built eight speed automatic, this full size, luxury packed sedan will hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.1 seconds. Impressive on paper yes, but the Genesis pulls in a way no large car should. Torque comes on immediately and helps the engine rev fast and high, pushing the sedan forward with airplane-like thrust. The sense of speed is felt in the lower abdomen as if the R-Spec is pushing down your insides. Instead of being brutal and aggressive, acceleration is rather stoic. The 5.0 knows its fast, but doesn’t flaunt it around like other high-output premium sedans. It puts a child-like smile on your face but does it in a very mature manner.
When the fast lane comes to an end and the road begins to turn, the R-Spec doesn’t suddenly disappoint. Using the same rear wheel drive architecture as the Genesis Coupe and Equus Sedan, the 5.0 blends the aggressive cornering of the Coupe with the plush of the limo. The spring rates have been raised compared to the 3.8 and 4.6 liter Genesis Sedans and the selective ASD dampers are approximately 30 percent stiffer. An exclusive 19 mm rear anti-roll bar and low profile 19 inch wheels with sticky Potenza summer tires add to the handling prowess of the R-Spec. Turn in is quick but not slot-car like as no amount of engineering can fully mask the Genesis’s size. Hyundai leaves the autocross slaying for the Coupe as the Sedan handles just as it should. The chassis is willing enough to allow for playful moments and the steering never feels disconnected: unlike some offerings from Germany. If cruising at low speeds is the name of the game, the 5.0 complys as the stiffer tuning never caused jarring or hard hits and road noise isn’t even an issue.
Dynamics wise, the R-Spec has what it takes to compete with the likes of BMW’s 5-Series, Audi’s A6, Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class and Chrysler’s 300C. Flying down the quarter mile and taking a corner’s apex is great, but a car of this magnitude must be a smooth operator on the inside. As mentioned before, the 5.0 is the top of the line Genesis Sedan and thus comes with no extra-cost options. Every interior bit is included in the asking price and it shows. The navigation system is excellent, requiring no re-learning or trip to the owner’s manual. The 8 inch touch screen is crystal clear and fits right in to the interior’s theme. Controls for the nav, Lexicon premium stereo, and climate can all be accessed via the perfectly placed driver control knob. Other trick features include the LDWS, which if turned on monitors the vehicle’s position in a lane, offer warnings and assistance if the Genesis strays out of its path. With heating and cooling options up front, the leather seats are just the right blend of comfort and support. The back is almost more impressive as the space and coziness is off the charts. Despite the disappointment of no cooling feature (just heat), the rear of any Genesis Sedan is truly a place of envy.
For the money, the 5.0 R-Spec is a remarkably impressive vehicle. Hyundai has made honest-to-goodness strides to become a manufacture of real high quality cars. Not one bit of the latest Genesis was made possible from outside help. The free breathing and vigorous V8 is a work of art and Hyundai doesn’t have a “ZF” badge stamped on their eight speed automatic which is smooth and responsive. The new car isn’t so overly engineered that it becomes numb either. Subtle little quirks such as the car’s acceleration patterns and quietly aggressive noise offer a feeling of connection. It isn’t perfect: the steering wheel still doesn’t telescope enough, the rear isn’t as ‘fanzy’ as other German offerings and some of the radio and clock controls look and feel cheap. But for $46,500 out the door, the car undercuts almost all of its competition. The combination of performance and luxury is also backed up by the industry’s best standard warranty, showing that Hyundai has confidence in its newest star. The car is high up on the list of impressive new vehicles and you will be hard pressed to find a disappointed owner of a 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 5.0 R-Spec.
Photos: © Copyright 2011 Ossamah Shabbir
