Hyundai when announced a few years back that they will be bringing out several new luxury models with an eye toward shipping these cars to the ultra competitive North American and European markets, many auto experts felt that the Korean automaker has gone crazy. The criticism played no role in kindling up Hyundai’s ability to build these types of vehicles that they have been doing for long years. That’s just like selling a Chevy at a Cadillac dealership.

Despite the criticism from various corners, Hyundai moved ahead and

launched its flagship Genesis sedan to the US. It will immediately follow that car up with the Genesis coupe. Hyundai is also pushing upmarket with a car that is luxurious and undercutting its competition.

Hyundai has a history of bringing out several popular cars in its crosshairs as it rolls out the Genesis. The Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES, and Chrysler 300 are just a few among them. Big names like Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, and Acura are also fair game, and it is the owners of these models who Hyundai would like to persuade to consider the Genesis. Hyundai is fully confident that a number of Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet owners wouldn’t mind paying a few thousand dollars more to get Cadillac quality at a Pontiac price.

The Genesis will be available in two engine choices: a 3.8L V6 or a powerful 4.6L V8 producing 375 horsepower. It will have a rear wheel drive platform that also matches what luxury car buyers want.

Apart from the engine choices, the Genesis is all about luxury. The top features include four wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, electronic stability control; traction control; front and side mounted airbags; adaptive lighting; power everything; driver information system; backup camera and woodgrain trim. One thing is clear. Hyundai has outperformed itself with the Genesis and is going to give a hard time for the competitors.

Tags: luxury, Car, Audi, Toyota, Mercedes, Nissan, engine, US, Korea, Hyundai Genesis, horsepower, Lexus ES, ship

Volkswagen has introduced new models from time to time. The Grman auto giant, over the past decades created a secured space in the automobile market with its astonishing looks and features. In the new millenium, VW launched out models that continued its truimphin the world market. Volkswagen introduced an array of new models after Bernd Pischetsrieder took over the charge as Volkswagen Group CEO in 2002. The fifth generation VW Golf came out in 2004.

It fought with competing models including Fiat Panda,  SEAT Toledo, Å koda Octavia and Audi A3 hatchback ranges.

VW brought out Golf under the Rabbit name once again in the U.S. and Canada in June 2006. The fifth-generation Jetta, and the performance version, the GLI, also were seen in the United States and Canada market. The sixth-generation Passat and the fifth-generation Jetta both marked its debut in 2005. VW has announced plans to bring back the Scirocco by 2008. In November 2006 Bernd Pischetsrieder resigned as Volkswagen Group CEO, and was replaced by Audi worldwide CEO Martin Winterkorn at the beginning of 2007. Recently the sports car manufacturer Porsche has announced its plan to buy the majority of Volkswagen’s stock, thus becoming the new owner of Volkswagen. The fifth-generation Passat, has made a facelift from the 1998-01 model.

VW had to face a lot of challenges in North America, rising significantly between 1998 and 2001, VW’s North American sales fell sharply in 2005 of roughly US$1 billion. In 2002, Volkswagen announced the debut of luxury car Phaeton,  which was critically acclaimed but not well received. In conjunction with the introduction of new models, production location of Volkswagen vehicles also underwent serious changes.

Volkswagen is considered as one of the leading small diesel engine manufacturers, and has offered a number of its vehicles with a TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection engine.

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